The United States and Sri Lanka today began Atlas Angel II, a joint exercise running until September 4 to strengthen disaster response capabilities.
The program brings together U.S. and Sri Lankan military personnel and subject‑matter experts for training in C‑130 aircraft maintenance, urban search and rescue, incident command systems, construction engineering, landslide response, and handling chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive hazards.
The exercise is centered at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake and in Kandy, with participation from the Montana National Guard, Sri Lanka Air Force, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, and observers from the United Kingdom and Bangladesh.
U.S. Ambassador Eric Meyer said Atlas Angel demonstrates the partnership in practice: “Americans and Sri Lankans training together, sharing expertise, and learning from one another… strengthening the readiness that helps protect lives and livelihoods and contributes to a more secure Indo‑Pacific.”
Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe added: “Natural disasters know no borders. Through Atlas Angel II, we have redefined what humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations mean, with multiple nations coming together to assist people wherever they may be.”
The exercise builds on cooperation established in 2021 under the U.S. Department of War State Partnership Program between the Montana National Guard and Sri Lanka. A November 2025 MOU further formalized collaboration in disaster response, aviation, and maritime security.
Atlas Angel II also features cultural exchanges, with musicians from the U.S. Air Forces Band of the Pacific performing alongside Sri Lankan counterparts to strengthen professional and people‑to‑people ties.
The US Embassy noted that training together before emergencies occur ensures smoother coordination during real‑world crises, as seen during Cyclone Ditwah in December 2025 when U.S. and Sri Lankan forces jointly delivered critical supplies using C‑130J aircraft. (Newswire)