Defence Services Command and Staff College

EXERCISE GOLDEN SHIELD – DSCSC 16

Exercise Golden Shield is the major joint services outdoor Tactical Exercise Without Troops (TEWT) in the course calendar of the DSCSC. The exercise was initially conducted at the college premises from 31 May to 03 June and then in the general area of Dambulla from 04 to 07 June 22. The exercise was designed to provide an opportunity for Student Officers to practice the decision-making process and produce written staff work related to defensive operations at the division level.

The Exercise commenced with the mission analysis conducted at the syndicate rooms followed by the exercise planning and discussions by the Army Wing over three days, covering all the aspects of defensive operations. Naval and Air Wing operations in support of the Army were also conducted in the exercise area Manikdena, Dambulla. This was followed by the confirmatory air reconnaissance in the general area Dambulla which facilitated the validation of plans developed by Student Officers. 3 Directing Staff (a Colonel, a Lieutenant Colonel and a Group Captain) representing the Command and Staff College, Quetta, and Air War College, Karachi, Pakistan attended the exercise to share their perspective of teachings. Before the termination of the exercise, Army Wing Student Officers were given the opportunity of visiting the Divisional Administrative Area (DAA) at Minneriya and Girithale.

The exercise provided much-needed relief and change for the Student Officers as they were able to operate in a scenic outdoor environment. Also, it facilitated the Student Officers to share their knowledge to work in a joint warfare environment. The exercise concluded with an RIC conducted at the College to evaluate the acquaintance of the salient objectives of the exercise.

EXERCISE GOLDEN SHIELD - DSCSC 16