Airmen and C-130s from the 36th Airlift Squadron based at Yokota AB, Japan, landed in Sri Lanka for a week of humanitarian response drills with Australian, Malaysian, and Sri Lankan partners. Pacific Airlift Rally, sponsored by Pacific Air Forces, is an “opportunity to work with and understand the procedures and philosophies adapted by the other nations that may come to our aid in a time of need,” said Sri Lankan squadron commander Sarike Aranayake, of the SLAF’s 2nd Airlift Squadron. “It also prepares us to help out in a situation anywhere in the world,” he added. Held this year at Colombo airport, the biannual exercise began Aug. 22, with aircraft and more than 300 airmen from all four nations participating. (Colombo report by MSgt. Cohen Young)
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
