Bangladesh and the United States began the annual bilateral military exercise Tiger Lightning 2026 on 19 July 2026. The exercise involves more than 160 service members from both countries and runs for 13 days until 31 July 2026.
Exercise Tiger Lightning
Tiger Lightning is a bilateral military exercise between the Bangladesh Army and the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC). The exercise began in 2017 and resumed after a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Training Focus
The 2026 edition includes jungle operations, counter-terror training, and tactical combat casualty care. These subjects are part of military field training used in joint exercises involving infantry, special forces, and medical response drills.
Venue and Participants
The opening ceremony took place at the Para Commando Brigade in Jalalabad Cantonment, Sylhet, Bangladesh. U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen and Chief of General Staff of the Bangladesh Army Lieutenant General Md Mainur Rahman attended the ceremony on 19 July 2026.
Important Facts for Exams
- Tiger Lightning 2026 is a bilateral exercise between Bangladesh and the United States.
- The exercise is conducted by the Bangladesh Army and the United States Army Pacific Command.
- The 2026 edition is scheduled for 13 days, from 19 July to 31 July 2026.
- The exercise began in 2017 and continued after a pause during the pandemic period.
Military Exercise Classification
Bilateral military exercises are joint training events conducted by two countries to practise operational coordination, field tactics, and interoperability. Jungle warfare, counter-terror operations, and combat casualty care are common components of such exercises.
