Katunayake: Exercise Pacific Angel 2025 commenced today with an inauguration ceremony at SLAF Base Katunayake. The multinational exercise, running from 08 to 12 September 2025, sees participation from the United States Pacific Forces, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defence Force, Indian Air Force, Maldivian National Defence Force, and Bangladesh Air Force. The Sri Lanka Army and Navy will join the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) in the exercise.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, a total of 300 personnel, including 123 foreign participants, will engage in the exercise, focusing on Search and Rescue (SAR) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). The programme includes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) in areas such as aircraft maintenance, aircrew operations, aeromedical patient movement, mass casualty medical response, jungle survival, and airlift cargo handling. Most activities will occur at SLAF Base Katunayake, with selected sessions at SLAF Academy China Bay and the
SLAF Regimental Training Centre Ampara.

The exercise will be supported by air and naval platforms, including two C-130J aircraft from the United States Air Force, and a Bell 412, a B-212 helicopter, and a King Air 350 from the SLAF. The Sri Lanka Navy will contribute selected vessels for the maritime component.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent figures such as Director General Health Services, Air Vice Marshal (Dr.) Lalith Jayaweera, Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Dammika Dias, Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake, Air Commodore Asela Jayasekara, US Mission Commander, Captain Zachary Eberl, Defence Attaché USA, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House, Defence Attaché Australia, Colonel Amanda Johnston, Defence Attaché Republic of Maldives, Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Amir, senior officers, and exercise participants from the Sri Lanka Army and Navy.