‘Tiger Triumph’ on Indian coast a skill-enhancing experience, say crew of U.S. ships

‘Tiger Triumph’ on Indian coast a skill-enhancing experience, say crew of U.S. ships. The harbour phase of the joint amphibious humanitarian assistance disaster response exercise to continue up to April 7 and the sea phase till April 12. They say that they are also enjoying the local tour, and the fascinating culture and atmosphere in Visakhapatnam. The food of Visakhapatnam is amazing and delicious, they add.

Working with the Indian Navy and in its weather conditions on the East Coast has been a skill-enhancing experience for the crew of the U.S. ships, say the team members of the ships during the on-going fourth edition of Tiger Triumph-2025, which is being conducted here till April 12.

During a media interaction on the ships as part of their India visit, Commander Byron Stocks, Captain of USS Comstock (LSD-45), said, “Our crews are enjoying the exercise by honing their skills, also their local tour, and the fascinating culture and atmosphere in Visakhapatnam. We will be here till April 12. Currently, the harbour phase of the exercise is going on till April 7. Later, we will engage in the sea phase.”

Commander Stocks further said that Tiger Triumph was essential to prepare for any emergency that might arise. Around 3,000 personnel would be participating in it.

Speaking to The Hindu, Indian-origin Neel Patel, an operations specialist on another ship, USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), an Arleigh Burke-Class guided-missile destroyer, said, “I have been in the U.S. Navy for the past three years. It was my family’s dream that I should join the Navy. Since childhood, I grew up watching the U.S.-based CNN channel. My accent has changed as well. That is one of the reasons that compelled me to join the U.S. Navy.”

Mr. Patel, who served in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, said, “It is difficult to differentiate the Indian and U.S. Navy. Both are equally capable. I am proud to be a part of the Tiger Triumph representing the U.S. Navy on Indian soil. We have tasted diverse cuisines across the country. The food of Visakhapatnam is amazing and delicious. Enjoying spicy chicken is one of the memorable events of the tour I carry.”

USS Ralph Johnson Commanding Officer Jac Caesar said, “Ralph Johnson was commissioned seven years ago. It is relatively new to the Navy in terms of destroyers. The main focus of Tiger Triumph exercise is an amphibious humanitarian assistance disaster response exercise with INS Jalashwa, which is aimed at their joint vision for the Indo-Pacific region, specifically addressing the issue of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”