Blue Whale 2024 Enhances Amphibious Warfare Skills

COLOMBO (News 1st); The third iteration of the Marines Field Training Exercise Blue Whale – 2024, organized by the Sri Lanka Navy Marines, concluded successfully on October 10, 2024.

The exercise took place along the beach and sea areas of Mollikulam in the Northwestern Naval Command.

The training exercises focused on the strategic entry of friendly forces by sea into enemy-controlled areas, aiming to secure and liberate the region from enemy control, followed by stability operations to restore law and order. 

The Sri Lanka Navy Ship (SLNS) Shakthi deployed troops using Inshore Patrol Craft and Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) in three phases for the amphibious assault, adhering to standard amphibious warfare tactics. 

The exercise was further supported by a Bell 212 helicopter from the Sri Lanka Air Force, which facilitated troop transfers and casualty evacuations by air.

A total of 25 naval personnel from the Pakistan, Maldives, and Bangladesh navies participated in this field training exercise.

Additionally, 195 personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy, including members of the Naval Infantry, Marines, Special Boat Squadron, Rapid Action Boat Squadron, Expeditionary Task Force, and the Medical branch, were involved in the exercise.