India-US disaster relief exercise Tiger Triumph begins in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: After successful completion of the 12th edition of Multilateral Naval Exercise (MILAN) in Visakhapatnam, the bilateral tri-service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Amphibious Exercise between India and the United States named Tiger Triumph, commenced with the opening ceremony being held on the majestic INS Jalashwa on Tuesday.

INS Jalashwa, which is considered a symbol of naval prowess, is an amphibious transport dock. Formerly named USS Trenton, she along with six Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters were brought from the United States by India in 2005. Commissioned in India as INS Jalashwa in June 2007, it has the distinction of being the only naval ship acquired from the United States. The ship played a key role in repatriating Indians stranded in Sri Lanka and Maldives during Covid-19-linked travel restrictions.

The Tiger Triumph represents the robust strategic partnership between the two countries and aims to share best practices and standard operating procedures in undertaking multinational HADR operations.

The harbour phase of the of Tiger Triumph is taking place in Visakhapatnam from March 18 to March 25, 2024 which includes pre-sail discussions, subject matter expert exchange on professional subjects and deliberations on planning and execution procedures of various tasks. Friendly sports events are also scheduled to further enhance camaraderie between the participating armed forces personnel of both nations.

The sea phase scheduled from March 26 to 31 will include units of both countries setting up a Joint Command and Control Centre and a joint relief and medical camp.A planning and coordination exercise will concurrently be undertaken to discuss and refine a SOPs to enable rapid and smooth coordination between forces of both countries.

The participating units from the Indian Navy include a landing platform dock, landing ship tanks (large) and their integral landing crafts and helicopters, guided missile frigate and long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The Indian Army is being represented by one infantry battalion group inclusive of mechanised forces.

The Indian Air Force will deploy medium lift aircraft, transport helicopters and a Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT). Additionally, the special ops forces from all the three services will also participate in the exercise.

The US Task Force will 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. MILAN, which was held from February 19 to 23, saw participation of 35 units including ships, submarines and aircraft. Thirteen ships and one aircraft from friendly foreign countries participated in the sea phase. Indian Navy’s participation included both aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, the indigenous aircraft carrier.

Considered a mega friendly multilateral exercise, all the units of Indian Navy undertook a series of complex and advanced exercises in the domains of surface, sub-surface and air warfare including exercises against asymmetric threats. Major exercises included surface firings, complex anti-air shoots, advanced anti-submarine warfare exercises with Indian Navy submarines, air defence exercises against fighters, extensive operations of ship-borne helicopters, and seamanship evolutions including fuelling from the tankers.