India-U.S. tri-service Ex Tiger Triumph to be held from April 1 to April 13

India and US defence personnel during the Indo-US bilateral exercise, Tiger Triumph, at Kakinada Naval Enclave on March 29, 2024. Handout vis Indian Navy

The fourth iteration of the India-U.S. tri-service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, codenamed Tiger Triumph, is scheduled to take place on the Eastern Seaboard from 1 to 13 April.

In a statement released on Monday, the Navy outlined the exercise’s objectives: “The exercise aims to enhance interoperability for conducting HADR operations and to formulate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for establishing a Combined Coordination Centre (CCC). This centre would facilitate rapid and seamless coordination between Indian and U.S. Joint Task Forces (JTF) during exercises, crises, and contingencies.”

The Indian contingent will comprise the INS Jalashwa, Gharial, Mumbai, and Shakti, along with their integral helicopters and embarked landing crafts. Additionally, a P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft, Army troops from the 91 Infantry Brigade and the 12 Mechanised Infantry Battalion, an Indian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft and MI-17 helicopters, as well as the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT), will participate. The U.S. side will be represented by the USS Comstock and Ralph Johnson, carrying troops from the U.S. Marine Corps Forces (Pacific), the statement detailed.

The Harbour Phase of the exercise is scheduled to be held at Visakhapatnam from 1 to 7 April. This phase will include an opening ceremony featuring a joint flag parade and a media interaction onboard INS Jalashwa on 1 April. Participants from both nations will also engage in training visits, subject matter expert exchanges, sporting events, and social interactions. Following the Harbour Phase, the ships, with troops embarked, will proceed to a Sea Phase and conduct Maritime, Amphibious, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations off the coast of Kakinada, according to the Navy.

During the exercise, a joint command and control centre will be established at the Kakinada naval enclave by the Indian Army and the U.S. Marines. “The IAF RAMT and the U.S. Navy medical team will also set up a joint medical camp to provide medical aid. The exercise will conclude with a closing ceremony onboard U.S. Navy Ship Comstock on 13 April at Visakhapatnam,” the Navy further stated.