Montana Guard and Sri Lanka deepen partnership with Atlas Angel II

KATUNAYAKE, Sri Lanka — Montana National Guard Soldiers and Airmen joined Sri Lankan military counterparts Aug. 31 at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake to launch Atlas Angel II, a five-day exercise focused on humanitarian assistance, disaster response and improving how partner forces work together during emergencies.

Senior U.S. and Sri Lankan military leaders attended the opening, including Brig. Gen. Trace Thomas, assistant adjutant general-Air and commander of the Montana Air National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Renea Dorvall, assistant adjutant general-Army for the Montana National Guard. Training and subject-matter exchanges are taking place in Katunayake and Kandy through Sept. 4, involving the Montana National Guard, Pacific Air Forces, other U.S. military personnel and the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.

Thomas reflected on the relationship built between Montana and Sri Lanka over the past five years. “Already, the bonds of friendship, partnership and family were well at hand,” Thomas said.

The partnership has included engagements across maritime, land and aviation disciplines through the State Partnership Program, expanding ties and sharing expertise in military and disaster response capabilities. That cooperation led to the first Atlas Angel exercise in 2024, when Montana sent two C-130 aircraft to Sri Lanka for disaster response training with the Sri Lanka Air Force, Army and Navy. Thomas said Montana personnel returned from that exercise better trained and impressed by their Sri Lankan counterparts. “Our people came back better trained,” Thomas said. “They noted the bonds of collegiality and friendship forged during this exercise.”

Atlas Angel II builds on those experiences with training in C-130 aircraft maintenance, urban search and rescue, medical response, incident command systems, construction engineering, landslide response and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive emergency response. Aviation training includes search and rescue, casualty evacuation and other capabilities designed to improve coordination during natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

For Montana Soldiers and Airmen, the exercise offers a chance to share experience from responding to wildfires, floods, severe weather and other emergencies at home while learning from Sri Lankan personnel with extensive disaster response experience. Participation from Pacific Air Forces broadens the exchange and strengthens coordination among U.S. and Sri Lankan forces.

“Anytime we get an opportunity to train with partners and allies, we see the best of humanity come out,” Thomas said. “Our partnership generates authentic momentum to train and work collaboratively to share the burdens of the responsibility we have to our citizens and the world.”

Thomas urged participants to train hard and look ahead. “As leaders, let’s start shaping what Atlas Angel THREE will be and continue this incredible shared journey,” Thomas said.

The exercise continues the Montana National Guard’s partnership with Sri Lanka through the State Partnership Program while strengthening interoperability, professional relationships and disaster response readiness.