August 02, Colombo (LNW): A joint military exercise named ‘Atlas Angel’ is being conducted by the Montana National Guard and U.S. Pacific Air Forces in partnership with the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Maldives National Defense Force.
This initiative aims to improve disaster response readiness.
From August 5-9, over 70 U.S. personnel and two C-130 Hercules aircraft will collaborate with Sri Lankan and Maldivian forces.
The exercise emphasises the importance of international cooperation in disaster management and reflects the U.S.’s commitment to a resilient Indo-Pacific region.
Atlas Angel includes six drills focusing on urban and medical search and rescue, airfield repair, and will culminate in a crisis management exercise on August 9. These activities aim to enhance the participants’ abilities to handle real-world disasters.
Post-exercise, U.S. Air Force surgeons will conduct a knowledge exchange at Kothalawala Defence University in Colombo, sharing best practices with Sri Lankan military and civilian medical professionals.
Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, highlighted that Atlas Angel is a key exercise under the Montana State Partnership Programme, fostering greater engagement and interoperability between the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Montana National Guard.
The exercise focuses on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and search and rescue missions, enhancing regional collective security.
Montana National Guard Adjutant General Pete Hronek stressed the importance of rigorous training in disaster management, noting that realistic simulations help prepare responders to act decisively during crises.
The Montana National Guard, primarily composed of part-time civilian personnel, supports community, state, and national defence and disaster response missions.
Through the U.S. Department of Defense’s State Partnership Programme, the Montana National Guard has been working with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense and related organisations since 2021 to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience.
