US INDOPACOM deploys airlift and logistics support for Cyclone Ditwah response

TWO C-130J Super Hercules and Airmen from the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group (CRG) arrived yesterday at Bandaranaike International Airport to provide American airlift capability in support of Sri Lanka’s Cyclone Ditwah response.

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US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung and Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence Major General K.P. Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) welcomed the team on arrival US and Sri Lankan counterparts are moving immediately to begin deliveries of critical relief supplies to affected communities.

US Air Force Airmen from the 36th CRG, operating out of Guam, and other units, will provide immediate transportation and logistics support to areas identified by the Sri Lankan Disaster Management Center. Additional supporting units include the US Air Force’s 374th Airlift Wing (Yokota Air Base, Japan) and the US Marine Corps’ III Marine Expeditionary Force (Okinawa, Japan). Also present for the arrival were Science and Technology Minister Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, Deputy Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku and the Disaster Management Centre Director General Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda