EDITORIAL
The bilateral tri-service humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) amphibious exercise Tiger Triumph-24 between India and the US was held onboard INS Jalashwa on Tuesday.
The exercise represents a robust strategic partnership between both countries and aims to share best practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in undertaking multinational HADR operations, an official statement said.
The Harbour Phase of the exercise is being conducted at Visakhapatnam from March 18 to 25 and would include pre-sail discussions, subject matter expert exchange on professional subjects, and deliberations on the planning and execution procedures of various tasks.
Sports engagements are also scheduled to further enhance camaraderie between the participating armed forces personnel of both nations.
The sea phase, from March 26 to March 31, would include units of both countries setting up a joint command and control center and a joint relief and medical camp.
A planning and coordination exercise would concurrently be undertaken to discuss and refine a SOP to enable rapid and smooth coordination between the forces of both countries.
The participating units from the Indian Navy include a landing platform dock, large landing ship tanks, including their integral landing crafts and helicopters, guided missile frigates, and long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The Indian Army would be represented by one infantry battalion group, including mechanized forces.
The Indian Air Force would deploy medium-lift aircraft, transport helicopters, and a Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT). Additionally, the Special Operations Forces from all three services will also participate in the exercise.
The US Task Force would comprise a US Navy landing platform dock, including its integral landing craft air cushions and helicopters, a destroyer, maritime reconnaissance and medium lift aircraft, and also US Marines.
