SF Gear: The CRRC

2 SF soldiers disembarking from a CRRC in this cutout- source unknown

The above picture shows a possible 12-man team from the Sri Lanka Army's 3-Special Forces Regiment on a mock amphibious assault/raid disembarking from Zodiac Combat Rubber Raiding/Reconnaissance Craft (CRRC).

Both 2 and 3 SF raiding/recon parties use Zodiac CRRCs for beach reconnaissance, surveillances and limited strike operations closer to beaches. 3 Special Forces established in 1996 is primarily a Seabourne force.

On 18th January 1993 the Sri Lanka Navy also established its elite seabourne force, the Special Boat Squadron. The SBS is also renowned for their use of the Zodiac CRRC.

International use and developments

The Zodiac CRRC is used by the world's best amphibious assault teams including the US Navy SEALS, US Marines' Force Recon, Royal Marines, Shayetet 13 etc. It can inflate in seconds to a highly maneuverable craft recognized the world over by elite units.

One notable weakness of the craft is its inability as an inflatable dinghy to withstand amphibious ambushes. The United States Navy is currently testing out an armoured version of the CRRC. The 'Armour -Flate' design uses a light-weight ballistic protection system that uses a synthetic polyethylene fibre called Dyneema, which is 15 times stronger than steel but much lighter.

The Balistic Protection Flate Armour is strapped along the sides of the CRRC and is inflated in under 5 minutes forming a protective ridge around the dinghy with the support of an 80 cubic foot air-tank. This gives the raiders an opportunity to escape unharmed if ambushed.

LTTE attempted breach halted

The Sri Lanka Air Force struck an LTTE training base situated at Vishwamadu at Iranamadu this morning. Damages caused to Tigers yet unclear.

SLA also engaged a group of Tigers attempting to breach the Weli Oya FDL at Nikawewa -Kambiliwewa killing ten and recovering one dead body.

LTTE Regiments: Charles Anthony

Charles Anthony Regiment Insignia

The Charles Anthony is the LTTE's first conventional regiment (Padai Pirivu). The number one in the above insignia probably explains its seniority. The emblem has a significant criss-cross of LTTE's earliest rapid-fire gun, the Sub Machine Gun.

The Regiment was commanded by many famous LTTE 'Commanders' including 'Col' Swarnam, 'Col' Nagulan and 'Lt. Col' Nakulan. At its inception 15 years ago, the Charles Anthony Regiment was actually a guerrilla unit with some semi-conventional warfare capabilities.

The Charles Anthony Regiment could have as many as 1000-1500 cadres presently. Hardcore cadres could be around 500. They are almost entirely northern Tamils. Charles Anthony was Prabhakaran's earliest conventional military formation. The unit has also been trained by LTTE Military Wing Leader 'Col' Balraj.

The name Charles Anthony comes from Prabhakaran's personal friend and comrade-in-arms Charles Anthony, an early LTTE recruit from Trincomalee District. He was killed by the Sri Lanka Army at Meesalai on 15th July 1983. Pirapaharan named his first conventional unit the 'Charles Anthony Regiment' as a tribute to his close friend. The LTTE leader later named his only son Charles Anthony Seelan, as a further tribute to his old comrade.

The Charles Anthony Regiment has fought against the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Cease-less Waves -I (Oyatha Alaikal-I) to capture the Mullaithivu SLA base, the Kilinochchi SLA base, Cease-less Waves II, against the Jaya Sikurui Operation and the second successful LTTE attack to capture the Elephant Pass Base.

The Regiment, considered part of the LTTE's Special Forces is suffering almost daily casualties at the hands of normal infantry regiments of the Sri Lanka Army.