Bangladesh, US holding joint military drills in Chattogram, says ISPR amid online speculation
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“Operation Pacific Angel 25-3”, a joint Bangladesh–United States military exercise is underway at the Bangladesh Air Force’s Zahurul Haque Base in Chattogram, the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said, after footage of US aircraft at Shah Amanat International Airport sparked a flurry of speculation on social media.
The weeklong exercise, which began on Sept 13, involves the Bangladesh Air Force and the US Pacific Air Forces. The drills will continue until Sept 18, bdnews24.com reports citing the ISPR.
“As part of this, various types of exercises to deal with air, land and wartime situations were conducted on Wednesday,” the ISPR said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The exercise practised transporting seriously injured patients and transferring patients from one aircraft to another."
The drills are designed to train personnel on providing emergency medical assistance, maintain coordination during flights, and improve the ability to make quick decisions, according to the ISPR.
Search and rescue activities are also being conducted as part of the exercise.
Participating in the exercise are a Bangladesh Air Force C-130J transport aircraft and an Mi-17 helicopter, along with two C-130J transport aircraft from the US Pacific Air Forces.
In total, 150 Bangladesh Air Force personnel and 92 from the US Pacific Air Forces are taking part, alongside members of the Bangladesh Army and Navy.
US Chargé d’Affaires Tracy Ann Jacobson visited Chattogram on Tuesday to observe the drills.
The ISPR's statement comes after three US C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and several helicopters were spotted at Shah Amanat International Airport, with photos and videos circulating widely on social media. This fuelled speculation about the nature of the deployment.
Further rumours spread after the arrival of the US contingent in Bangladesh, with claims circulating that the personnel had entered the country secretly and were staying at the Radisson Blu in Cox’s Bazar.
The ISPR dismissed these claims as unfounded, reiterating that the US team’s presence is strictly for the joint exercise. It has also announced that a media briefing will be held on Thursday to address the exercise in greater detail.