The Closing Ceremony of the Bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Amphibious Exercise, Tiger Triumph 2024, between India and the US took place onboard USS Somerset on March 30, 2024. This exercise underscores the robust strategic partnership between the two nations and aims to facilitate the exchange of best practices and Standard Operating Procedures for multinational HADR operations.
The Harbour Phase unfolded in Visakhapatnam from March 18 to March 25, 2024, encompassing pre-sail discussions, Subject Matter Expert Exchange, sports engagements, shipboarding drills, and cross-deck visits. On March 25, 2024, personnel from both Navies celebrated the festival of Holi together, highlighting India’s vibrant culture through a cultural exchange program.
The Sea Phase, conducted from March 26 to March 30, 2024, witnessed units from both countries engaging in maritime exercises at sea. This phase culminated in the landing of troops at Kakinada to establish a joint Command and Control Centre and a Joint Relief and Medical Camp for HADR operations. Cross Deck helicopter operations, involving UH3H, CH53, and MH60R helicopters, were also carried out between ships of the Indian Navy and the US Navy off Kakinada and Visakhapatnam.
The participating units from the Indian Navy included a Landing Platform Dock, Landing Ship Tanks (Large) with their integral Landing Crafts and helicopters, a Guided Missile Frigate, and Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft. The Indian Army contributed one Infantry Battalion Group, including mechanized forces, while the Indian Air Force deployed one medium lift aircraft, a transport helicopter, and the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT).
The US Task Force comprised a US Navy Landing Platform Dock with its integral Landing Craft Air Cushions and helicopters, a Destroyer, maritime reconnaissance, and medium lift aircraft, and US Marines.
Special Ops Forces from all three Services actively participated in the exercise, conducting combined operations with their US counterparts at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada during both the harbour and sea phases.
