Planning begins for US training exercise in SL for Oct-Nov 2006
Item
Title
Planning begins for US training exercise in SL for Oct-Nov 2006
Description
"In March 2006, planning began for a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) exercise in Sri Lanka with the Sri Lanka Army (SLA). The exercise is scheduled to take place October 22 to November 2 and will consist of 375 Marines from
the Fox and Golf Companies, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton who will be en route aboard the USS Dubuque
and USS Comstock to deployment in Iraq. Under Operation Sama Shakthi, 300 Marines will conduct training with the SLA in low-to-medium conflict intensity operations in an urban insurgency environment at the SLA Commando Training Center in Kuda Oya and 75 Marines will conduct training at the
PACOM-funded International Peacekeeping Training School in
Kukule Ganga. Both locations are in southern Sri Lanka in sites that are not visible to the public. Kuda Oya is 38 km
from Hambantota. A beach landing at Hambantota has been identified as the best method of embarkation for the Marines. Disembarkation and embarkation will be visible to the public
in Hambantota, where Embassy public affairs staff will be on site to provide support. No adverse public reaction is
expected. The 15th MEU will simultaneously stage an exercise
in the Maldives. " https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/06COLOMBO1610_a.html
the Fox and Golf Companies, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton who will be en route aboard the USS Dubuque
and USS Comstock to deployment in Iraq. Under Operation Sama Shakthi, 300 Marines will conduct training with the SLA in low-to-medium conflict intensity operations in an urban insurgency environment at the SLA Commando Training Center in Kuda Oya and 75 Marines will conduct training at the
PACOM-funded International Peacekeeping Training School in
Kukule Ganga. Both locations are in southern Sri Lanka in sites that are not visible to the public. Kuda Oya is 38 km
from Hambantota. A beach landing at Hambantota has been identified as the best method of embarkation for the Marines. Disembarkation and embarkation will be visible to the public
in Hambantota, where Embassy public affairs staff will be on site to provide support. No adverse public reaction is
expected. The 15th MEU will simultaneously stage an exercise
in the Maldives. " https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/06COLOMBO1610_a.html
Date
2006-03-01