COLOMBO (News 1st): The United States and Sri Lanka have launched Atlas Angel II, a major humanitarian assistance and disaster response exercise aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness, disaster management capabilities and military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.
The exercise, scheduled to run from August 31 to September 4, brings together American and Sri Lankan military personnel, technical experts and emergency response specialists to exchange knowledge and conduct training in areas considered critical for responding to natural and man-made disasters.
The programme is centred at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake and in Kandy, and includes participation from personnel of the Sri Lanka Air Force, the Montana National Guard, and the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). Observers from the United Kingdom and Bangladesh are also taking part.
Training activities will focus on a broad range of disaster response disciplines, including C-130 aircraft maintenance, urban search and rescue operations, incident command systems, construction engineering, landslide response, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive hazard management.
The Montana National Guard delegation is led by Assistant Adjutant General for Air Brigadier General Trace Thomas and Assistant Adjutant General for Army Brigadier General Renea Dorvall.
Speaking on the significance of the exercise, United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer said the initiative reflects the strong and practical partnership between the two countries.
“The United States and Sri Lanka have a shared interest in being prepared when disasters strike. Atlas Angel is a strong example of what our partnership looks like in practice—Americans and Sri Lankans training together, sharing expertise, and learning from one another. Through the Montana National Guard and our broader defense partnership, we are building on years of cooperation and strengthening the readiness that helps protect American citizens and our partners, safeguard lives and livelihoods, and contribute to a more secure and resilient Indo-Pacific,” Ambassador Meyer said.
Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe said the exercise demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in responding to disasters that can affect nations regardless of their size or economic standing.
"Natural disasters know no borders. They do not recognize economic strength; they affect us all. Through Atlas Angel II, we have redefined what humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations mean, with multiple nations coming together to learn how we can collectively assist people wherever they may be," he said.
The importance of such cooperation was highlighted during Cyclone Ditwah in December 2025, when Sri Lankan and US forces worked closely together to provide critical support to affected communities. During that operation, two US Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft were deployed to transport emergency supplies and assist relief efforts in disaster-affected areas.
Atlas Angel II is part of the broader partnership between Sri Lanka and the Montana National Guard, established in 2021 under the US Department of Defense's State Partnership Program.
The relationship has expanded steadily through joint training programmes, expert exchanges and reciprocal visits. In November 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Montana National Guard, the US Coast Guard District 13 and the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, further formalising cooperation in areas such as disaster response, aviation and maritime security.
Through the partnership, Montana National Guard personnel bring experience gained from responding to wildfires, floods and other emergencies in the United States, while also learning from Sri Lanka's extensive experience in managing natural disasters across the region.
Adding a cultural dimension to the exercise, musicians from the US Air Forces Band of the Pacific will also perform and collaborate with their Sri Lankan counterparts, helping to strengthen professional and people-to-people ties through music.
