'ATLAS ANGEL' EXERCISE CONCLUDES IN A HIGH NOTE
1:08pm on Friday 9th August 2024
The successful culmination of the 'Atlas Angel' bilateral exercise was marked by a closing ceremony today (09 August 2024) at SLAF Base Katunayake. The event was graced by the Ambassador of the United States of America to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Julie Chung. Further, Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Wickremaratne attended the ceremony on behalf of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa.
The bilateral exercise, held from 05 to 09 August 2024, featured the active participation of the Montana National Guard, led by the Adjutant General for the State of Montana and Commander of the Montana National Guard, Major General Pete Hronek. The exercise took place at SLAF Base Katunayake and SLAF Academy China Bay, engaging SLAF pilots, flight engineers, loadmasters, medical personnel, firefighters and Maldivian observers.
The 'Atlas Angel' exercise comprised six Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) focussing on key areas such as 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. For instance, both U.S. and Sri Lankan military personnel engaged in Tactical Combat Casualty Care under Urban SAR, participating in exercises such as collapsed structure search and rescue, confined space rescue and anchoring drills.
As part of the 'Atlas Angel' bilateral exercise, a significant workshop on 'Women in Peace and Security (WPS)' was also conducted by a contingent of women from the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), led by Lieutenant Colonel Shanon Vinson. This workshop, which took place over two days at SLAF Base Katunayake and SLAF Academy China Bay, highlighted the critical role of women in global peace and security efforts and was attended by SLAF Lady Officers and Airwomen.
US Ambassador, Her Excellency Julie Chung, highlighted the enduring strength of the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership, emphasizing the strategic significance of joint military exercises in enhancing mutual understanding and operational coherence. Moreover, the Ambassador stated the arrival of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER, which will be granted by the U.S. government to the Sri Lanka Air Force this year. This aircraft will serve as a critical asset in future Search and Rescue (SAR) and HADR operations.
The 'Atlas Angel' exercise highlighted the importance of joint endeavours in promoting regional stability and security. It included exercises on C-130 aviation maintenance, inter-command systems, medical operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises and many more, enhancing the readiness and interoperability of both militaries. Further, the exercise provided an invaluable platform for exchanging tactical knowledge, sharpening rescue skills and building camaraderie between the US and Sri Lankan militaries.
The closing ceremony featured concluding remarks by the Adjutant General for the State of Montana and Commander of the Montana National Guard, Major General Pete Hronek and the Director General of Air Operations of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera. This was followed by the presentation of mementos, symbolizing the enduring friendship and collaborative spirit between the United States and Sri Lankan militaries.
The ceremony was attended by the members of the Air Force Board of Management, Acting Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, Chief of Office of Defence Cooperation at the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, Defence Advisor of the Maldives in Sri Lanka and distinguished officials representing the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Centre and the Fire Service Department. Further, the Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva and all participants of the ‘Atlas Angel’ Exercise including sister services attended the ceremony.
The bilateral exercise, held from 05 to 09 August 2024, featured the active participation of the Montana National Guard, led by the Adjutant General for the State of Montana and Commander of the Montana National Guard, Major General Pete Hronek. The exercise took place at SLAF Base Katunayake and SLAF Academy China Bay, engaging SLAF pilots, flight engineers, loadmasters, medical personnel, firefighters and Maldivian observers.
The 'Atlas Angel' exercise comprised six Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) focussing on key areas such as 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. For instance, both U.S. and Sri Lankan military personnel engaged in Tactical Combat Casualty Care under Urban SAR, participating in exercises such as collapsed structure search and rescue, confined space rescue and anchoring drills.
As part of the 'Atlas Angel' bilateral exercise, a significant workshop on 'Women in Peace and Security (WPS)' was also conducted by a contingent of women from the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), led by Lieutenant Colonel Shanon Vinson. This workshop, which took place over two days at SLAF Base Katunayake and SLAF Academy China Bay, highlighted the critical role of women in global peace and security efforts and was attended by SLAF Lady Officers and Airwomen.
US Ambassador, Her Excellency Julie Chung, highlighted the enduring strength of the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership, emphasizing the strategic significance of joint military exercises in enhancing mutual understanding and operational coherence. Moreover, the Ambassador stated the arrival of the Beechcraft King Air 360ER, which will be granted by the U.S. government to the Sri Lanka Air Force this year. This aircraft will serve as a critical asset in future Search and Rescue (SAR) and HADR operations.
The 'Atlas Angel' exercise highlighted the importance of joint endeavours in promoting regional stability and security. It included exercises on C-130 aviation maintenance, inter-command systems, medical operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises and many more, enhancing the readiness and interoperability of both militaries. Further, the exercise provided an invaluable platform for exchanging tactical knowledge, sharpening rescue skills and building camaraderie between the US and Sri Lankan militaries.
The closing ceremony featured concluding remarks by the Adjutant General for the State of Montana and Commander of the Montana National Guard, Major General Pete Hronek and the Director General of Air Operations of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanaweera. This was followed by the presentation of mementos, symbolizing the enduring friendship and collaborative spirit between the United States and Sri Lankan militaries.
The ceremony was attended by the members of the Air Force Board of Management, Acting Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, Chief of Office of Defence Cooperation at the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, Defence Advisor of the Maldives in Sri Lanka and distinguished officials representing the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Centre and the Fire Service Department. Further, the Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Vice Marshal Deshapriya Silva and all participants of the ‘Atlas Angel’ Exercise including sister services attended the ceremony.
