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)

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The Sri Lanka Air Force will take part in a joint military exercise together with the Montana National Guard, the US Pacific Air Forces, and the Maldives National Defence Force, the US Embassy in Sri Lanka announced. 

The joint military exercise ‘Atlas Angel,’ is aimed at enhancing preparation and response to natural and man-made disasters, and will be followed by a knowledge exchange session with Sri Lankan military and civilian medical counterparts.

According to the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, from August 5- 9, more than 70 U.S. personnel and two C-130 Hercules aircraft will participate alongside their Sri Lankan and Maldivian counterparts, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in disaster response and US commitment to fostering a resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Atlas Angel will feature six exercises, including urban and medical search and rescue as well as airfield repair, culminating in a crisis management exercise on August 9.  These exercises are designed to test and improve response capabilities across various scenarios, ensuring participants are prepared for real-world disasters. Following the main exercise, US Air Force surgeons will engage in a knowledge exchange session at the Kothalawala Defence University in Colombo, sharing best practices with Sri Lankan military and civilian medical counterparts.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung applauded the disaster response cooperation: “Disasters know no borders and are increasing in frequency and intensity worldwide. The United States is committed to enhancing disaster preparedness, recognizing the importance of international collaboration to minimize damage, protect lives and livelihoods, and foster resilience and prosperity in the region.  By sharing our expertise through practical exercises like Atlas Angel, we strengthen communities’ abilities to respond swiftly and effectively when disaster strikes.”

Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa stated, “Exercise Atlas Angel is one of the main combined exercises operationalized under the Montana State Partnership Program and it provides space for greater engagement between Sri Lanka Air Force and Montana National Guard through subject matter expert exchanges, developing strategic foresight on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief as well as Search and Rescue missions and promoting interoperability for collective security in the region.”

Montana National Guard Adjutant General Pete Hronek emphasized the critical role of training in disaster management: “Effective disaster management hinges on robust training that equips first responders, local authorities, and community members with the skills and knowledge they need to act decisively in times of crisis.  Throughout this week, I look forward to working with regional counterparts and learning from their expertise as we go through realistic simulations, ensuring we are all ready to act in the event of an emergency.”

The Montana National Guard is a group of primarily civilian men and women who typically perform military duties on a part-time basis in support of their community, state, and nation through the national defence and disaster response. The Guard provides trained and ready forces for both state and federal missions. Under the US Department of Defence’s State Partnership Program, the Montana National Guard has partnered with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence, armed forces, and disaster management organizations since 2021, conducting mutually beneficial exchanges that enhance disaster preparedness, resilience, and other capability areas. (Newswire)

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