EXERCISE ‘FRIENDLY FORCE’ BUILDS COUNTERINSURGENCY MASTERY

EXERCISE ‘FRIENDLY FORCE’ BUILDS COUNTERINSURGENCY MASTERY

1. Exercise ‘Friendly Force’, a Counterinsurgency (COIN) exercise in the course curriculum, was successfully conducted for 10 days at the college premises as part of the training programme for Student Officers of JCC 35. The exercise was designed to enhance the Student Officers’ knowledge on insurgency and the conduct of Counterinsurgency operations at battalion level within a brigade operational environment.

2. The exercise was conducted in a simulated operational setting with the primary aim of exercising Student Officers’ application of concepts, principles and tactics, techniques, and procedures related to COIN operations. Throughout the exercise, Student Officers were required to analyse insurgent activities, assess the requirement for military intervention, and formulate appropriate operational responses in accordance with doctrinal teachings.

3. The exercise was carried out in three progressive stages commencing from 20th March 2026 to ensure a comprehensive understanding of operational planning in a COIN environment. During the first stage, Student Officers participated in a Map Exercise (MAPEX), where they analysed an insurgency scenario, assessed the operational environment, and determined the feasibility of military deployment. The second stage was conducted as a Cloth Model Discussion (CMD), in which Student Officers planned and discussed an attack on an insurgent hideout by applying COIN principles and tactical procedures. The final stage consisted of a Red Ink Correction (RIC), where Student Officers were evaluated on their ability to formulate an Operational Order for battalion deployment in a COIN situation.

4. Student Officers were actively participated in discussions, presentations, and briefings under the guidance of faculty. On 30th March 2026 the exercise concluded successfully with the formulation of comprehensive operational plans, demonstrating the Student Officers’ growing proficiency in planning and executing Counterinsurgency operations in a tactical environment. Exercise Friendly Force marked an important milestone in developing the professional competence of Student Officers of Junior Command Course 35 in handling complex internal security situations and preparing them for future operational and command responsibilities in joint and combined environments.