US Super Hercules Aircraft Arrive to Boost Ditwa Relief Efforts

 Two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft belonging to the US Air Force and a contingent of airmen from the 36th Contingency Response Group (CRG) have arrived on the island, with the aim of strengthening relief operations for the Sri Lankan people affected by 'Ditwa' cyclone.

To welcome this special delegation and aircraft that arrived at Katunayake Airport, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ms. Julie Chung, and Deputy Minister of Defense, Major General (Retired) K.P. Aruna Jayasekara, among others, were present.

In addition to the 36th Contingency Response Group stationed in Guam, the 374th Airlift Wing from Yokota Air Base in Japan and the 3rd Marine Logistics Group stationed in Okinawa, Japan, will also actively contribute to these operations.

Minister of Science and Technology Professor Krishantha Abeysekera, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, and Director General of the Disaster Management Centre Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda also participated in this event, and these teams have begun working with Sri Lankan authorities to swiftly transport essential relief supplies to the disaster-affected areas identified by the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre.

Appreciating the heroic service rendered by Sri Lanka's relief teams, Ambassador Julie Chung stated that the US is taking on the burden of transportation and logistics to send essential supplies to the affected areas. She emphasized that this cooperation would allow Sri Lanka's frontline relief teams to focus more on the affected people rather than transportation, and that the United States stands firmly with Sri Lanka during this challenging time.

Mr. Matthew House, Senior Defense Official at the US Embassy, pointing out that the supply chain becomes a lifeline when roads are blocked and time is limited, explained the special capability of the C-130J aircraft to transport goods to hard-to-reach areas. He further stated that the strong relationships built through continuous joint training exercises with the Sri Lanka Armed Forces have been instrumental in working together during emergency crises like 'Ditwa'.

At the request of the Sri Lankan government and in full coordination with the Sri Lanka Armed Forces, the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) has deployed these aircraft and personnel.

Accordingly, these American aircraft will be deployed to assist the Sri Lanka Air Force in airlifting essential supplies such as temporary shelter materials, clean water, sanitation facilities, and food from Katunayake Air Base to the affected areas.

In addition, a consignment of essential equipment worth USD 2.1 million (approximately LKR 640 million), including fuel bowsers, forklifts, floodlights, ground power units, and mobile cargo loading platforms, was recently provided to the Sri Lanka Air Force. These equipment, provided under defense cooperation, are already being actively utilized for current disaster response efforts, enabling the Air Force to efficiently provide relief both day and night.

The United States has also announced USD 2 million in financial assistance for disaster response efforts within 72 hours of the cyclone's impact. This aid, channeled through trusted implementing partners, will be used to provide emergency shelter, water, sanitation, and healthcare services, and the embassy statement indicates that it will work in close coordination with the Sri Lankan government in recovery efforts.