The Montana National Guard, under the leadership of the Adjutant General for the State of Montana and Commander of the Montana National Guard, Major General Pete Hronek will conduct the ‘Atlas Angel’ exercise from August 5 to 9. In partnership with U.S. Pacific Air Forces, this five-day training program will take place at the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Base, Katunayake and SLAF Academy China Bay, marking a significant collaboration between the United States and Sri Lankan military with participation from the Maldives National Defence Forces and civilian experts from the Disaster Management Centre.
The Atlas Angel exercise will include six Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs)focusing on C-130 Pilot Exchange, C-130 Aviation Maintenance, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) at SLAF Base, Katunayake as well as Medical Search and Rescue (SAR), Urban SAR and Airfield Assessment at SLAF Academy China Bay.
The Atlas Angel exercise aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and readiness in addressing natural and man-made disasters. Military personnel from Sri Lanka and the United States, alongside Maldivian participants and several civilian experts from the Disaster Management Centre will participate in a series of workshops, briefings and training sessions designed to improve mutual understanding and coordination in disaster response efforts.
Air Force Commander, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said, “Exercise Atlas Angel is one of the main combined exercises operationalised 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 HADR and SAR missions and promoting interoperability for collective security in the region.”
Adjutant General for the State of Montana and Commander of the Montana National Guard Major General Pete Hronek said, “The Atlas Angel exercise is crucial for enhancing our disaster response capabilities and fostering international cooperation. This exercise allows us to share best practices, improve interoperability and strengthen our collective ability to respond to natural and man-made disasters, ultimately contributing to regional stability and humanitarian efforts.”
SLAF pilots, flight engineers, loadmasters and medical personnel will gain experience in advanced disaster management techniques. Key topics covered will include an overview of natural and man-made hazards, interagency coordination and the utilisation of aerial platforms in HADR operations. The exercise will feature an in-depth look at both Sri Lanka’s and the United States’ disaster management structures and processes. Participants will explore the roles and responsibilities of various agencies, inter-jurisdictional relationships and the strategic use of mutual aid agreements and compacts.
