The joint military exercise Atlas Angel II 2026, involving the Sri Lanka Air Force, the Pacific Air Force, and the United States Montana National Guard, concluded on Thursday after nearly a week of training. The closing ceremony was held at Katunayake Air Force Base, with American Ambassador Eric Meyer and Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe attending.
The exercise, which began on August 31, focused on enhancing cooperation and knowledge sharing in air operations related to disaster response and emergency rescue efforts. Participants aimed to strengthen their ability to respond effectively to both natural and man-made emergencies by exchanging technical expertise and operational experience.
Personnel from the Sri Lanka Air Force, Pacific Air Force, and Montana National Guard took part in the training. The groups included General Duties Pilots, Flight Engineers, Medical Officers, and Loadmasters. Activities took place across multiple locations, including Katunayake, Digana, and Colombo.
Senior officials present at the closing event included Sri Lanka Air Force Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Lasitha Sumanawera, members of the Air Force Board of Management, SLAF Base Commander Air Vice Marshal Amith Jayamaha, and representatives from the Montana National Guard. The exercise is part of ongoing efforts to bolster bilateral military collaboration and readiness between Sri Lanka and the United States.