The aircraft also brought 60 US Marine evacuation troops who will support ongoing relief and logistical operations. The two aircraft had departed from a US Air Force base in Thailand before landing in Katunayake.
From Katunayake, the C-130s are scheduled to provide air transport support to several domestic airports, including Anuradhapura and Jaffna, to facilitate the timely movement of relief supplies and personnel.
State Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara; Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Krishantha Abeysekera; Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku; US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung; and Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, Retired Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda, were among the officials present to receive the aircraft.
