Sri Lanka and the US stage a joint disaster response exercise

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) conducts a joint exercise with the United States Pacific Air Force in the Northern Peninsula to enhance disaster response in Sri Lanka and allow U.S. assistance in a disaster to be more effective. The code name of this joint exercise in the Northern Peninsula is  'Exercise Pacific Angel'.  The SLAF and the United States Pacific Air Force will co-host a Health Services Outreach (HSO) and Engineering Civil Programme (ENCAP)  under this exercise which ends on 10th this month.

Sri Lanka and the US Air Forces are on disaster rescue missions  

The exercise will comprise two components: The Medical Program and the Renovation Program. The medical program is mainly focused in providing Primary Health Care, Physical Therapy, Optometry and Dentistry for the civil personnel and to conduct the Subject Matter Medical Exchange Program (SMEE) of Aero Medical Evacuation at SLAF Base Kat. Activities will take place in Alvain North village, Atchelu Village, and SLAF Base Katunayaka.

The renovation program mainly focuses on renovating of school buildings and uplifting the infrastructure facilities of those schools. Sri Lankan and U.S. engineers will renovate the Punnalaikkadduvan Primary School, the Kuddiyapulam Mixed School, and the Atchelu Saivapragasa Vidyalayam.  Both activities will provide benefits to the local population, while allowing both multinational responders and Sri Lankans to practice providing emergency medical assistance and engaging in reconstruction, following a disaster situation.