International air force drill starts in Sri Lanka
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Xinhua, August 24, 2011
Air force teams from over 20 countries are in Sri Lanka to take part in an air exercise starting on Wednesday to meet challenges faced in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
The five day Pacific Airlift Rally 2011 drill and symposium is being co-hosted by Sri Lanka and the United States, air force spokesman Andrew Wijesuriya said.
The is the first time that the Sri Lankan air force is co- hosting an international event of this magnitude since the end of a brutal 30 year war against Tamil Tiger rebels.
The Sri Lankan air force was instrumental in the island's victory against the rebels by providing air support to the army and navy.
With the end of the war the Sri Lanka air force was deployed to assist in disaster relief operations especially during severe floods experienced in parts of Sri Lanka last year.
The Pacific Airlift Rally event includes an international seminar, a command post exercise focusing on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief coordination between the multiple countries and a field training exercise to carry out disaster relief, and various tactical flying, the Sri Lankan air force said.
Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and United States are among the countries taking part in the drill.
The Sri Lankan defence ministry said the joint exercise is a sign of post-war stability in Sri Lanka in spite of various interested parties seeking to undermine the country.
The Sri Lankan security forces have been accused of committing human rights abuses during the final stages of the war, an allegation the Sri Lankan government has repeatedly denied.
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