U.S. and Sri Lanka launch PACIFIC ANGEL 25

Running from September 8–12, the program brings together nearly 90 U.S. and 120 Sri Lanka Air Force personnel, alongside participants and observers from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Japan, and Maldives. The training focuses on search and rescue, medical readiness, air safety, and engineering cooperation to strengthen disaster response capabilities.

The exercise is supported by two U.S. C-130J aircraft and Sri Lanka’s Bell 412, B-212 helicopters, and King Air 350. According to officials, Pac Angel 25 is aimed at building trust and interoperability for faster and more effective responses to crises.

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung described it as “the largest multilateral exercise hosted in Sri Lanka this year”, adding that it demonstrates how nations work side-by-side to prepare for humanitarian and disaster challenges.

Lt. Col. Matthew House emphasized that Pac Angel is “more than just an exercise”, noting its role in fostering real-world cooperation and coordinated crisis response.

Pacific Angel, now in its 18th year, is a recurring humanitarian response exercise led by the U.S. Pacific Air Forces and sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Conducted at the request of host nations, it aims to enhance regional readiness and resilience.