In a significant display of military cooperation and readiness, the Bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Amphibious Exercise, Tiger Triumph 2024, between India and the United States concluded with a grand closing ceremony onboard the USS Somerset on March 30, 2024. This exercise underscored the strong strategic partnership between the two countries, focusing on the sharing of best practices and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for conducting multinational HADR operations.
The exercise was split into two phases: the Harbour Phase, which took place in Visakhapatnam from March 18 to 25, and the Sea Phase, from March 26 to 30. During the Harbour Phase, personnel from both navies engaged in pre-sail discussions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, sports engagements, ship boarding drills, and cross-deck visits. A highlight of this phase was the celebration of the festival of Holi on March 25, allowing participants to immerse themselves in India’s rich and colorful culture as part of a cultural exchange program.
The Sea Phase saw both countries’ units executing maritime exercises, demonstrating the seamless integration of their naval capabilities. This phase included the landing of troops at Kakinada for the establishment of a joint Command and Control Centre and a Joint Relief and Medical Camp for HADR operations. Additionally, cross-deck helicopter operations featuring UH3H, CH53, and MH60R helicopters were conducted, further showcasing the interoperability between the Indian Navy and the US Navy off the coasts of Kakinada and Visakhapatnam.
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The Indian contingent was represented by a diverse array of forces including a Landing Platform Dock, Landing Ship Tanks (Large) with integral Landing Crafts and helicopters, a Guided Missile Frigate, and a Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft from the Navy. The Army contributed an Infantry Battalion Group with mechanized forces, and the Air Force deployed medium lift aircraft, a transport helicopter, and the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT).
The US Task Force brought to the exercise a Landing Platform Dock with integral Landing Craft Air Cushions and helicopters, a Destroyer, maritime reconnaissance, and medium lift aircraft, as well as US Marines. Special Ops Forces from all three services of both nations also participated, undertaking combined operations with their counterparts in both Visakhapatnam and Kakinada during the harbour and sea phases.
Tiger Triumph 2024 serves as a testament to the growing strategic and military collaboration between India and the United States, highlighting their commitment to enhancing their capabilities in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
