India has taken part alongside the United States and Sri Lanka in Pacific Angel 25, the largest multilateral disaster response and humanitarian cooperation exercise in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise, which began on Sunday at Katunayake Air Base in Sri Lanka, is designed to improve regional preparedness for future emergencies and strengthen cooperation among participating nations.
The drill will run for five days, concluding on September 12. It has brought together nearly 90 personnel from the US Air Force and about 120 from the Sri Lanka Air Force, along with troops and observers from several other countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, India, Japan, and the Maldives. The participants will focus on core areas such as search and rescue operations, medical readiness, aviation safety, and engineering support—critical components in disaster management and humanitarian response.
To support the exercise, the US has deployed two C-130J aircraft, while Sri Lanka is contributing its Bell 412 and B-212 helicopters, along with a King Air 350. These assets will play a key role in simulating real-world disaster scenarios and testing the ability of different nations’ forces to work together effectively.
Speaking at the launch, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung highlighted the significance of the exercise. She noted that Pacific Angel 25 is the largest multilateral exercise Sri Lanka is hosting this year and said it reflects the commitment of participating countries to work side by side in preparing for real-world challenges such as humanitarian crises and natural disasters.
US Defense Attaché Lt Col Matthew House emphasized that the programme is not limited to training exercises. He explained that joint drills like this one help build trust, deter threats, and ensure that when disasters occur, the combined forces of participating countries can respond swiftly and in coordination.
According to officials, the Pacific Angel series of exercises plays an essential role in building regional trust and teamwork. By enhancing cooperation and interoperability, it ensures that Indo-Pacific nations can mount quicker, more efficient, and more effective responses to emergencies and natural disasters in the future.
