An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Nov. 25, 2019

Tiger TRIUMPH: U.S. Sailor Returns to India during Inaugural Exercise

By Lance Cpl. Armando Elizalde 3rd Marine Logistics Group

VISAKHAPATHNAM, India -- U.S. Marines and Sailors arrived aboard the USS Germantown (LSD 42) in Visakhapatnam, India, Nov. 13, 2019 to make history by participating in the first-ever tri-service exercise Tiger TRIUMPH between the U.S. and Indian. The exercise gave the U.S. and Indian forces the opportunity to exchange knowledge and learn from each other as well as establish personal and professional relationships.

"It's an honor being able to be part of this historic moment and an honor being present for this partnership between the U.S. and India," said U.S. Navy Ensign Samuel B. Joseph, a surface warfare officer aboard the Germantown.

Joseph was born in the Middle East and lived in Southern India until he was 10-years-old. He moved to the U.S. after his mother had the opportunity to become a nurse in Sacramento, California.

He said the reason he joined the Navy was to be able to travel the world more after completing his college education.

"I just checked-in aboard the Germantown in Phuket, Thailand and our next port was India, I thought it was a stroke of good fortune," said Joseph. "Visakhapatnam is not too far from where I used to live in India."

Joseph said that usually it's difficult breaking the initial barrier when communicating with our counterparts but for him it was special.

"For the Indian Armed Forces to see someone from their racial background in the uniform of the partner nation was a good icebreaker, but I think it brought us together," said Joseph.

He stated that his parents were worried because this was his first time being far from home and essentially being off the grid being out at sea.

"They were pretty excited because I always told them I wanted to travel and they didn't know what to expect since I am the first in my family to be in the military," said Joseph.

Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH began Nov. 14 with the opening ceremony aboard the INS Jalashwa (L41) and a reception aboard the Germantown. The first phase of the exercise included friendly volleyball and soccer fixtures between the U.S. and Indian military participants to build camaraderie and friendships. During the second phase, the ships set sail from Nov. 17-18 and the forces conducted naval operations consisting of cross deck landing and weapon system demonstrations. The final phase of the exercise was a successful amphibious landing and humanitarian assistance disaster relief camp establishment on Kakinada Beach, November 19-21.

Tiger TRIUMPH offered U.S. and Indian forces valuable training in HADR operations while familiarizing forces with each other’s capabilities, techniques and procedures. Exercises like Tiger TRIUMPH improve our ability to operate together to meet a range of challenges.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
362,943
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK Missile Launches
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 18, 2024 - We are aware of the DPRK’s March 17 ballistic missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. We have assessed these events did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory. The United...

US Space Forces Indo-Pacific executes Cobra Gold 2024
March 15, 2024 - U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific is taking a giant leap forward in multi-domain integration, leading U.S. space participation in Joint Exercise Cobra Gold 24 in Thailand, Feb. 27 – Mar. 8...

2nd Infantry/ROK-U.S. Combined Division Joins with ROK Forces for Air Assault Training Mission
A Republic of Korea Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter, 2nd Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division, performs a sling load of a 12,000-pound High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) while conducting combined air assault and ground training exercises during Freedom Shield 24, March 13, 2024, at the Korea Combined Training Center, South Korea. FS24, a holistic military training program, integrates ground, air, and naval elements, enhancing readiness through realistic combat simulations, interoperability, and live exercises refining troops’ combat skills. (U.S. Army photo by KPfc. Lee, Hyun Bin)
March 15, 2024 - The 2nd Infantry/ROK-U.S. Combined Division completes a large-scale joint air assault training operation in conjunction with the ROK 2nd Rapid Response Division, Army Aviation Command, Air Force's 5th Air Mobility Wing during...

2ID/RUCD Completes Combined Live Fire with ROK Army During Freedom Shield
A U.S. Army Assault Breaching Vehicle from the 55th Combat Engineer Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, executes an obstacle breaching operation in coordination with the ROK Army during Freedom Shield, South Korea, March 14, 2024. In support of the Armistice Agreement, Freedom Shield 24 underscores the enduring military partnership between the ROK and the U.S. It reinforces the role of the Alliance as the linchpin for regional peace and security, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the United States to defend the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Army photo by Kim, Ji Hun)
March 14, 2024 - As part of Freedom Shield 2024, the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division (2ID/RUCD) and the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division (CMID) of the Republic of Korea army, demonstrated combined combat...

U.S.-Japan soar through heavy winds for Airborne 24
U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron transport Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) paratroopers to a drop zone for static-line jump training during Airborne 24, March 7, 2024, near the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. The ongoing partnership between U.S. and Japan forces continues to demonstrate both countries’ commitment to maintaining stability and security throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The total fleet of six C-130Js assigned to Yokota Air Base were used for a bilateral airlift to deliver approximately 300 JGSDF paratroopers to drop zones at Kikaijima, Japan, during the static-line personnel jump portion of the training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
March 14, 2024 - As dawn approached on the brisk morning of March 7, relentless winds echoed over the flightline of Yokota Air Base, Japan. The stage was set for Airborne 24, as nearly half of the 374th Airlift Wing’s C-130J Super Hercules...