The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) has dismissed social media speculation over the presence of US military aircraft and personnel in Chattogram, clarifying that American forces are in Bangladesh to participate in a joint exercise with the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF).
According to ISPR, the exercise — Operation Pacific Angel 25-3 — began last Sunday at the Bangladesh Air Force’s Zahurul Haque Base near Shah Amanat International Airport. The base’s commanding officer, Air Vice Marshal Haider Abdullah, formally inaugurated the weeklong drills, which also involve the US Pacific Air Forces.
The exercise features one C-130J transport aircraft and an Mi-17 helicopter from the Bangladesh Air Force, along with two C-130J transport aircraft from the United States. In total, 150 Bangladeshi personnel and 92 US personnel are taking part, alongside members of the Bangladesh Army and Navy.
Key activities include medical evacuation coordination, aircraft maintenance and flight operations, parachute and litter rigging, rotary-wing hoist operations, maritime and flood response, combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC) maneuvers, jungle survival training, crash site management, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
Photos and videos of US C-130J aircraft at the base sparked rumors on social media Wednesday, including claims that American troops were staying at a Chattogram hotel. ISPR has denied the claims and announced it will hold a press briefing on Thursday to provide detailed information about the drills.
ISPR said the exercise aims to enhance professional skills, improve interoperability, and strengthen cooperation between the two air forces. It also involves medical, engineering, and logistics specialists providing services to local communities, which officials hope will deepen trust and ties between Bangladesh and the United States.
During the exercise, participants will engage in realistic drills and emergency response simulations designed to improve coordination, strategic planning, and humanitarian assistance capabilities of both countries’ air forces.
