Visakhapatnam, March 31: The largest-ever joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise between India and the United States, "Tiger Triumph," culminated today in a grand ceremony aboard the US Navy ship USS Somerset.
The month-long exercise aimed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations by fostering cooperation and exchanging best practices in responding to natural disasters and other emergencies.
"Tiger Triumph" unfolded in two phases:
- Port Phase (Visakhapatnam, March 18-25): This phase focused on planning, knowledge sharing, and cultural exchange. Discussions, expert exchanges, sports events, ship visits, and a joint Holi celebration fostered camaraderie and understanding.
- Sea Phase (Off Kakinada and Visakhapatnam, March 26-30): The focus shifted to real-world scenarios. Troops conducted a simulated amphibious landing at Kakinada to set up a joint command center, relief camps, and a medical facility, showcasing their combined HADR capabilities.
Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force units participated alongside their US counterparts. Indian Navy deployed warships, landing crafts, helicopters, and aircraft, while the Army contributed an infantry battalion group with mechanized forces. The Air Force provided transport and medical support. The US Navy mirrored these deployments with landing craft air cushions, helicopters, and special operations forces.
The exercise extensively practiced joint operations, honed communication skills, and established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for swift and effective collaboration during future disasters.
