KATUNAYAKE, Sri Lanka - Montana National Guard Soldiers and Airmen joined Sri Lankan military counterparts Aug. 31 at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake to kick off 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 ceremony, 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.

Atlas Angel II brings together members of the Montana National Guard, Pacific Air Forces, other U.S. military personnel and the Sri Lankan Armed Forces for training and subject-matter exchanges in Katunayake and Kandy through Sept. 4.

Thomas addressed participants during the ceremony and 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.

Through the Department of Defense State Partnership Program, Montana National Guard members and their Sri Lankan counterparts have conducted engagements across maritime, land and aviation disciplines, building relationships and sharing expertise across a range of military and disaster response capabilities.

That cooperation helped lead to the first Atlas Angel exercise in 2024, when Montana sent two C-130 aircraft to Sri Lanka to participate in disaster response training alongside members of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Army and Navy.

Thomas said Montana personnel returned from the first exercise better trained and impressed by the professionalism of 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 also 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 provides an opportunity to share experience gained 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 also broadens the exchange of expertise and strengthens coordination among U.S. and Sri Lankan forces.

Thomas said training alongside partners strengthens both readiness and the relationships needed when a real-world emergency occurs.

"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 concluded his remarks by challenging participants to train hard and continue looking toward the partnership's future.

"As leaders, let's start shaping what Atlas Angel THREE will be and continue this incredible shared journey," Thomas said.

Atlas Angel II continues the Montana National Guard's partnership with Sri Lanka through the State Partnership Program while strengthening interoperability, professional relationships and disaster response readiness among Montana and Sri Lanka.