An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Sends Medical Supplies to India to Help in COVID-19 Fight

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

A lot of progress has been made against COVID-19, but it's still a global pandemic. As part of a whole-of-government effort to slow and eventually end the pandemic, the United States is sending medical supplies and equipment to India as that country battles the most recent outbreak.

A large military aircraft has its rear loading door open as a woman in a military uniform approaches.
Super Galaxy
Airmen from the 22nd Airlift Squadron prepare a C-5M Super Galaxy to take lifesaving COVID-19 supplies from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., to India, April 28, 2021.
Photo By: Nicholas Pilch, Air Force
VIRIN: 210428-F-UO290-1281

Wednesday evening, a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft loaded with oxygen cylinders and regulators, N95 masks and COVID-19 rapid diagnostic kits left Travis Air Force Base, California, bound for India. Wednesday's shipment was just the first. In all, the United States expects to deliver more than $100 million in medical supplies to the U.S. partner nation. Thursday morning, a C-17 Globemaster III departed Travis for India carrying additional oxygen cylinders and diagnostic kits. 

The medical supplies were donated to India by the U.S. government though the U.S. Agency for International Development. Airmen with the 60th Air Mobility Wing are responsible for delivering those supplies.

Dozens of metal oxygen cylinders sit on wooden pallets.
Oxygen Cylinders
Oxygen cylinders sit in the 60th Aerial Port Squadron Warehouse at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., April 28, 2021.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell
VIRIN: 210428-F-NP696-1002C
Inside a military aircraft, metal cylinders are attached to the floor with netting.
COVID-19 Shipment
Oxygen cylinders and other COVID-19 supplies sit in a C-5M Super Galaxy at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., April 28, 2021.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Jonathon Carnell
VIRIN: 210428-F-NP696-1202

In the coming week, more oxygen cylinders will be sent, as will oxygen concentrators, oxygen generation units, additional personnel protective equipment, rapid diagnostic tests and therapeutics. The U.S. is also providing vaccine manufacturing supplies. In fact, the U.S. has redirected its own order of AstraZeneca manufacturing supplies to India, which will enable the country to make over 20 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

India is a major defense partner to the United States and providing assistance is just something partners do, said Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby during a press briefing earlier this week.

"The United States deeply values our partnership with India," Kirby said. "We are determined to help the people in India as they bravely combat this outbreak."

A large military aircraft moves down a runway.
Supply Shipment
A C-5M Super Galaxy carrying critical medical supplies taxies toward the runway at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., as it prepares to fly to India, April 28, 2021.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Cameron Otte
VIRIN: 210428-F-HV886-1111

During a visit to India last month, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said India is a major partner in the effort to keep a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

"As the world faces a global pandemic and growing challenges to an open and stable international system, the U.S.-India relationship is a stronghold of a free and open Indo-Pacific region," he said. "And it's clear that the importance of this partnership, and its impact [on] the international, rules-based order will only grow in the years ahead."

Related Stories