🤝 Sri Lanka and US Launch Atlas Angel II Bilateral Exercise 📈

• Overall Bilateral Cooperation: Sri Lanka and the US have officially kicked off Atlas Angel II, the second edition of their joint military training exercise, running from August 31 to September 4, 2026. The program aims to strengthen regional readiness, safeguard livelihoods, and contribute to security across the Indo-Pacific. • Scope & Focus Areas: The 5-day exercise brings together defense experts for joint training in key national defense and emergency response sectors: • Disaster response & landslide management • C-130 aircraft maintenance & aviation operations • Urban search and rescue, construction engineering, and incident command systems • Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive hazards • Participating Forces & Strategic Ties: • Participants include the Sri Lanka Air Force, US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), and the Montana National Guard (led by Brig. Gen. Trace Thomas and Brig. Gen. Renea Dorvall). • International observers from the UK and Bangladesh are also attending. • The drill builds on the US State Partnership Program established in 2021 and a November 2025 MOU expanding cooperation with the US Coast Guard District 13 across maritime security and defense infrastructure.