BD, US launch commando drills in Sylhet

The Bangladesh Army on Friday launched special commando drills with the US Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) at Jalalabad Cantonment in Sylhet.

Titled “Tiger Lightning (Tl)-2025,” the six-day drill is being supervised by the Para Commando Brigade of the Bangladesh Army and the Nevada National Guard of US, Inter-Services Press Relations said in a press release

The inaugural event was graced by Major General Ascot A Winter, deputy commanding general of USARPAC, as the Chief Guest.

From Bangladesh, the Director of Army Air Defence Directorate, the Director of Military Training Directorate, and the Commander of the Para Commando Brigade, were present.

The ISPR statement says: "Bangladesh and the United States maintain mutual cooperation in regional and global security, counter-terrorism, disaster management, and humanitarian assistance. Bangladesh remains committed to confronting natural disasters and global threats and continues to work collaboratively with the United States and other partners.

"As part of this ongoing cooperation, Tiger Lightning 2025 is being conducted with the aim of enhancing mutual collaboration, improving joint operational capabilities, and strengthening preparedness," it said.

"A total of 66 personnel from the Nevada National Guard of the United States and 100 personnel from the Bangladesh Army's Para Commando Brigade are participating in the exercise," it added.

The exercise is expected to significantly enhance the professional skills of participating troops and will further strengthen the existing relationship between the Bangladesh Army and the United States Army, the press release noted.

Senior officials from the Bangladesh Army, including the director of the Army Air Defence Directorate, the director of the Military Training Directorate, and the commander of the Para Commando Brigade, were present at the inauguration ceremony.