India-U.S. Tri-Service Exercise Tiger Triumph to Enhance HADR Operations

Commercial operations under the Tiger Triumph exercise will run from April 1 to April 13 in the Eastern Seaboard part of India. The exercise pursues military cooperation between Indian and U.S. armed forces through all service branches to develop disaster relief capabilities while creating joint coordination centers that improve crisis response groups. Joint military operations under Tiger Triumph will incorporate maritime and amphibious duties as well as humanitarian assistance through a broad scope of participating military units.

Introduction

• The Eastern Seaboard will host the fourth edition of the India-U.S. combined tri-service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise under the name Tiger Triumph over April 1-13.

Objective of the Exercise:

• Indian forces and their U.S. counterparts will work together to improve their abilities in providing HADR support operations.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) need development to create a Combined Coordination Centre (CCC) which enables expedited coordination between forces during exercise periods and crisis situations and emergencies.

Participating Forces:

Indian Contingent:

• Naval ships INS Jalashwa, Gharial, Mumbai, and Shakti.

• The exercise participated with C-130 transport aircraft and MI-17 helicopters and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft which belong to the Indian Air Force.

• During the exercise three Army units under command were the 91 Infantry Brigade along with 12 Mechanised Infantry Battalion and the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT).

U.S. Contingent:

• The exercise involved the participation of USS Comstock along with Ralph Johnson which carried U.S. Marine Corps Forces (Pacific).

Phases of the Exercise:

• Harbour Phase (1-7 April):

  • Opening ceremony with a joint flag parade and media interaction onboard INS Jalashwa.

  • Training visits and expert exchanges along with sporting activities combined with social interactions occurred during the exercise.

• Sea Phase (Following Harbour Phase):

  • Maritime, amphibious, and HADR operations off the coast of Kakinada.

  • A joint control center was set up by both U.S. Marine forces and Indian Army personnel for unified command operations.

  • A joint medical facility operated under collaboration between the RAMT from the Indian Air Force and medical personnel from the U.S. Navy delivered medical assistance to affected individuals.

Conclusion:

Tiger Triumph represents a key advancement in integrating defense and humanitarian missions between the military forces of India and the U.S. Tiger Triumph will boost crisis response capabilities by concentrating on enhancing the tactical integration of participating military forces during HADR operations. Through their combined maritime and medical assistance operations the participating forces build enhanced military relationships which improve their ability to work together during future emergencies.