In a display of strength and cooperation, U.S. Army Special Forces and Sri Lankan Naval Special Operations Forces participate in a joint training exercise Balance Style 2023 near Trincomalee, Sri Lanka from February 27 to March 24.
Balance Style is designed to enhance United States and Sri Lanka's special operations forces abilities to operate together, strengthen their relationship through cultural and information exchanges, and prepare for potential challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the three and a half weeks of training, a U.S. Army Mountaineering Operational Detachment, Sri Lanka Navy Fast Attack Flotilla, and Special Boat Squadron engaged in a variety of activities, including humanitarian disaster relief and lifesaving training. The teams also focused on improving their technical rope skills, long-range marksmanship, mission planning, tactical combat casualty care, and the Law of Armed Conflict.
The final-culmination event of the exercise involved a boat infiltration into austere terrain, where the teams conducted a swim with equipment into a high angle cliff ascent to complete the movement phase of the operation. After executing actions on the objective, they exfiltrated the area by rappelling down the cliff face to link up with the extraction team. These same skills lend to enhanced ability to perform life-saving operations as needed.
During the closing ceremony Sri Lanka Naval Special Operations leadership mentioned the exercise provided a great opportunity to enhance knowledge and skills and it “symbolizes this long relationship and close cooperation between two parties.”
The U.S. Army Special Operations team leader added, "Together we have spent long days in the hot sun, long nights in the jungle and have learned to work together to achieve the same goal. We’ve grown to love Sri Lanka and its culture ... we’ve developed friendships that will last each of us a lifetime and I am proud to call each one of you my brother."
This training is designed to advance regional security and ensure effective responses to regional crises by bringing together a robust multinational force to address shared goals and security commitments in the Indo-Pacific.
Date Taken: | 03.24.2023 |
Date Posted: | 05.30.2023 22:01 |
Story ID: | 443791 |
Location: | LK |
Web Views: | 700 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, US Army, Sri Lankan special forces participate in Balance Style, by Maj. Michael O'Hagan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.