Exercise TIGER KHUKURI EAGLE 24 was an Adventurous Training and a Distributed Training package undertaken by personnel from 3 (UK) Divisional Signal Regiment in California and Arizona, USA in July and August 2024.
San Francisco was the start of the expedition where participants had the opportunity to explore the city, culminating in a visit to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The following day we collected our hire vehicles, and we ventured to Yosemite National Park, California. Over a four-day period, we conducted the first phase of the training in the Yosemite Valley. During our time, we stayed in Hodgdon Meadows Campground and in Oakhurst Mountain Trail Lodge. We embarked on the first hill walking expedition to the Columbia Rock Trail. Despite the challenging heat conditions, the team successfully acclimatised and were rewarded with breathtaking views of Yosemite Falls upon reaching the summit. One of the most memorable highlights of the trip was the Mist Trail hike, which led participants from the base of Vernal Falls to its summit. The constant mist created by the cascading water provided a refreshing respite from the California heat. The final hike in California, the Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail, featured Corlieu Falls and Red Rock Falls within Sierra National Forest, offering a rejuvenating experience before the group’s journey to the Grand Canyon National Park.
This was followed by a twelve-hour drive along the iconic Route 66, to reach the famous Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. We stayed in Mather Campground within the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. The next morning, we had a day-off which we utilised the time to explore the famous sites from the southern rim overseeing the picturesque steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado river. Each evening, we all spent time stargazing, immersing ourselves in the celestial beauty above us. The night sky, adorned with countless stars, created a mesmerizing spectacle that captivated the group. The Grand Canyon expedition included a descent to Skeleton Point via the South Kaibab Trail, offering stunning panoramic views of the Colorado River. Additionally, the group visited the Yavapai Geology Museum to learn about the formation of this natural wonder.
Before reaching Las Vegas, the expedition made a stop at the Hoover Dam, the highest concrete arch-gravity dam in the United States, where the day was spent understanding the cultural and historic importance about the dam. Las Vegas was an epic stopover to immerse ourselves to the Sin City lifestyle. The final leg of our trip took us to Los Angeles, the City of Angels, where we explored the renowned attractions such as Venice Beach, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the iconic Hollywood sign from Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica, Crypto arena, and Beverly Hills.
Exercise TIGER KHUKURI EAGLE 24 was a remarkable experience that not only provided valuable training opportunities but also allowed participants to explore new destinations and create lasting memories. The expedition offered a unique combination of physical challenges, cultural experiences, and natural wonders, making it an unforgettable journey for all involved. Upon completion of the Exercise, we were all awarded with our Summer Mountain Leader qualification.
