Two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and Airmen from the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group arrived at Katunayake Air Base in Sri Lanka to provide airlift and logistics support following Cyclone Ditwah. The deployment, led by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), was initiated after a request from the Government of Sri Lanka.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung and Deputy Minister of Defense Major General KP Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) welcomed the American team upon arrival. Immediate efforts began to deliver critical relief supplies to communities affected by the cyclone. The U.S. Air Force personnel, based out of Guam, are joined by supporting units including the 374th Airlift Wing from Yokota Air Base in Japan and the III Marine Expeditionary Force from Okinawa.
Other officials present included Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, Minister of Science and Technology; Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation; and Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda, Director General of the Disaster Management Center.
“Sri Lanka’s responders are doing heroic work,” said Ambassador Chung. “The United States is here to take on some heavy lifting—bringing American airlift and logistics muscle to push critical supplies into the hardest-hit areas so Sri Lanka’s frontline teams can stay focused on people, not transportation. The United States stands steadfast with Sri Lanka in this challenging time, committed to supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts.”
Matthew House, Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy, stated: “When roads are strained and time is short, logistics becomes the lifeline. America is here with airlift capacity and coordination to keep that lifeline of critical assistance moving. The C-130J Super Hercules is a workhorse airlifter—built to move essential cargo rapidly and reliably when access is limited. Our regular joint training exercises with the Sri Lankan Armed Forces have built strong relationships and enhanced our ability to work together in crises like Cyclone Ditwah.”
In coordination with local authorities, U.S. aircraft will support missions delivering emergency supplies such as shelter materials, water, sanitation items, food assistance, and other essentials from Katunayake Air Base to regions identified as most in need.
Recently, through security cooperation initiatives, the United States provided approximately $2.1 million worth of equipment—including fuel trucks, forklifts with spare parts, flood lights, ground power units with sustainment parts, and portable cargo-loading platforms—to enhance Sri Lanka Air Force operations during disaster response activities.
Within 72 hours after Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka, the United States announced $2 million in aid for disaster response efforts aimed at providing emergency shelter as well as water, sanitation services, hygiene support, and health care for those impacted by the storm.
The United States continues close coordination with Sri Lankan authorities as recovery operations progress.