• C-130J aircraft and logistics teams assist in delivering critical supplies

Two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and Airmen from the US Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group (CRG) arrived at Katunayake Air Base yesterday (07) to provide American airlift capability in support of Sri Lanka’s Cyclone Ditwah response. U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung and Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekara welcomed the team, which immediately began coordinating the delivery of critical relief supplies to affected communities.

The U.S. Airmen, operating out of Guam, are supported by units from the U.S. Air Force’s 374th Airlift Wing (Japan) and the U.S. Marine Corps’ III Marine Expeditionary Force (Japan). 

Ambassador Chung said, “Sri Lanka’s responders are doing heroic work. The US is here to take on some heavy lifting—bringing airlift and logistics support to push critical supplies into the hardest-hit areas so Sri Lanka’s frontline teams can stay focused on people, not transportation.”

Following a request from the Government of Sri Lanka, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command deployed military aircraft and personnel to support Sri Lanka’s airlift missions. Working with the Sri Lanka Air Force, the U.S. aircraft will help transport emergency relief supplies—including shelter materials, safe water, sanitation and hygiene support, and food assistance—to areas prioritised by local authorities.

The U.S. has also provided the SLAF with $2.1 million in critical airlift and logistics equipment, including fuel trucks, forklifts, flood lights, ground power units, and portable cargo-loading platforms. These capabilities strengthen the SLAF’s ability to rapidly receive, fuel, power, load, and move relief supplies day or night.

Within 72 hours of Cyclone Ditwah’s landfall, the US announced $2 million in disaster response support. The assistance, delivered through trusted implementing organisations, will provide emergency shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene, and health services.