India, US Troops Engage in Live-Fire Drills During Exercise Tiger Triumph
The exercise aimed to boost interoperability, tactical coordination and readiness in combat and humanitarian missions.
Visakhapatnam: In a display of growing India–US defence cooperation, troops from both countries conducted intensive joint training at the Duvvada Firing Range from April 2 to 4, under Exercise Tiger Triumph 2025. The exercise aimed to boost interoperability, tactical coordination and readiness in combat and humanitarian missions.
The training opened with a joint address by commanding officers from both nations, followed by an introduction by the Commanding Officer of the 8 Gorkha Rifles Infantry Battalion Group, part of the Amphibious Brigade of the Bison Division under the Sudarshan Chakra Corps. The US Army contingent included personnel from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment (“Bobcats”) and the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 11th Infantry Division (“Arctic Wolves”).
A highlight of the exercise was the participation of Rear Admiral Greg Newkirk, USN, who, alongside the CO of the 8 Gorkha Rifles, joined live-firing and Jungle Lane Shooting drills. Senior officers from HQ Eastern Naval Command and HQ Integrated Defence Staff also attended, reinforcing the high-level defence collaboration.
Troops engaged in small arms firing, jungle warfare tactics and close-quarters combat, with Indian and US personnel paired as buddy teams. Training covered marksmanship from 100 metres, combat drills at 50 metres, and movement through dense terrain. Integrated Field Craft modules focused on obstacle crossing, tactical manoeuvres, and terrain combat, while the Combat Medical Aid module trained troops in battlefield first aid and casualty evacuation.
