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U.S., Pakistan air forces conduct air refueling information exchange

  • Published
  • By U.S. Embassy
ISLAMABAD --  Pilots and aircrews from the Pakistan Air Force and U.S. Air Force participated in a joint aerial refueling information exchange yesterday at Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala as part of an on-going effort to enhance cooperation and develop the air refueling capabilities of both nations.

U.S. Air Force pilots and aircrews from the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, forward deployed to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, arrived at PAF Chaklala March 3 to conduct the information exchange with their Pakistan air force hosts. Upon arrival, the U.S. Airmen invited PAF pilots and aircrews aboard their KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft to familiarize them with U.S. Air Force air refueling equipment and procedures.

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Michael LeFever, the senior U.S. Defense Representative to Pakistan, hosted Pakistan Air Commodore Tahir Ranjha, PAF Air Transportation Director; and Air Commodore Khalil Ahmed, PAF Chaklala commander, aboard the KC-135 aircraft.

"Events like these promote understanding and enhance our military-to-military relationships while also boosting capability and expertise," said Vice Adm. LeFever. "In addition, with the planned arrival of more F-16s to Pakistan later this year, developing PAF air refueling expertise is critical to increasing their airborne endurance and enhancing their ability to counter the violent extremist threat in their country."

Over the last three years, U.S. civilian and security assistance to Pakistan totaled more than $4 billion. U.S. assistance has included support for medical aid, school refurbishment, bridge and well reconstruction, food distribution, agricultural and education projects, 14 F-16 fighter aircraft, 5 Fast Patrol Boats, 115 self-propelled Howitzer field artillery cannons, more than 450 vehicles for Pakistan's Frontier Corps, hundreds of night vision goggles, day/night scopes, radios, and thousands of protective vests and first-aid items for Pakistan's security forces.

In addition, the U.S. funded and provided training for more than 370 Pakistani military officers in a wide range of leadership and development programs covering topics such as counterterrorism, intelligence, logistics, medical, flight safety, and military law.