The quiet arrival of a large contingent of American military personnel in Bangladesh has sparked speculation in regional intelligence circles, particularly in India. Around 120 officers from the United States Army and Air Force checked into Chittagong’s Radisson Blu Hotel on September 10, officially for joint military exercises with their Bangladeshi counterparts, according to intelligence sources.

The contingent, flown in from Dhaka aboard a US-Bangla Airlines flight, reportedly occupied 85 pre-booked rooms at the five-star hotel. Curiously, none of the officers’ names were entered in the hotel’s guest register, sources said. Their stay has been kept unusually discreet, raising further intrigue.

On September 14, an Egyptian Air Force transport plane landed at Chittagong’s Shah Amanat International Airport. The incident, coupled with the presence of US troops, has heightened concerns within Indian security and intelligence establishments. The American personnel were later spotted at the Bangladesh Air Force’s Patenga airbase, near the airport, and are expected to depart on September 20.

Vague exercise location, Cox’s Bazar mentioned

While officials have cited “joint exercises” as the purpose of the deployment, details remain scarce. Cox’s Bazar has been suggested as a possible venue, though the Bangladesh Army has refrained from sharing specifics. So far, the military has only acknowledged existing collaborations such as Operation Pacific Angel and Tiger Lightning-2025.

Tiger Lightning-2025, a bilateral drill between the Bangladesh Army and the US Army Pacific Command (USARPAC), took place earlier this year at Jalalabad Cantonment in Sylhet. The exercise focused on peacekeeping readiness, regional security, and interoperability. Sources confirmed that advance teams from Qatar and Thailand were dispatched to Chittagong ahead of the current drills.

Death of US officer adds to context

The influx of US troops follows closely on the heels of a sensitive incident: the death of Terrence Arvelle Jackson, 50, a US Special Forces Command (Airborne) officer. Jackson, who had been training Bangladeshi soldiers since April, was found dead at Dhaka’s Westin Hotel on August 31. His sudden death has already stirred questions about the extent of American military engagement in Bangladesh.

Adding to the intrigue, aviation trackers confirmed that two large US military transport planes landed at Shah Amanat International Airport. One used the call sign YJ-692. Identified as C-130J Super Hercules, the aircraft are known for tactical airlift, airdrops, humanitarian missions, and special operations.
“These aircraft are rugged, all-weather capable, and can operate from unpaved runways,” a Bangladesh Army source noted. “Their presence underscores the scale of American military activities now underway in the country.”

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