‘Atlas Angel II’ Exercise: US and Sri Lanka Strengthen Disaster Response Capabilities

The United States and Sri Lanka have commenced the ‘Atlas Angel II’ exercise, bringing together military personnel and specialists from both countries to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities during major disasters.

The exercise, being conducted from August 31 to September 4, will involve the exchange of expertise and joint training in areas including C-130 aircraft maintenance, urban search and rescue, incident command systems, construction engineering, landslide rescue operations, and response to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive hazards.

Personnel from the Sri Lanka Air Force and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces are participating in the exercise, alongside teams from the Montana National Guard led by Trace Thomas, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, and Renea Torvalli, Assistant Adjutant General for the Army. Officials from the United Kingdom and Bangladesh will observe the exercise.

Based primarily at the Sri Lanka Air Force base in Katunayake, with activities also taking place in Kandy, the exercise aims to strengthen practical cooperation and interoperability between U.S. and Sri Lankan forces in humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.

“Both the United States and Sri Lanka share a commitment to being prepared to respond when disasters strike. Atlas Angel, where Americans and Sri Lankans share expertise, learn from one another, and train together, is a strong example of our partnership in practice,” U.S. Ambassador Eric Meyer said.

Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe said natural disasters do not recognize borders and highlighted the importance of countries working together to strengthen humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities.

Joint training before emergencies occur strengthens the ability of U.S. and Sri Lankan forces to communicate, coordinate and operate effectively during real-world crises.

The value of this cooperation was demonstrated during Cyclone Ditwah in December 2025, when U.S. and Sri Lankan forces worked together to provide essential logistical assistance to affected communities. Two U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft were also used to deliver supplies.

The exercise builds on the partnership established between the Montana National Guard and Sri Lanka in 2021 under the U.S. Department of Defense State Partnership Program. A memorandum of understanding signed in November 2025 further formalized cooperation in areas including disaster response, aviation and maritime security.

As part of the engagement, musicians from the U.S. Air Forces in the Pacific Band will also work alongside their Sri Lankan counterparts and hold a musical performance.

Through the partnership, Montana National Guard personnel will learn from Sri Lanka’s extensive experience in disaster response, while sharing their own experience in responding to wildfires, floods and other emergencies. The exchange is expected to further strengthen disaster preparedness, professional relationships and operational capabilities between the two countries.