A Pakistan air force C-130 transport aircraft landed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, with 100,000 protective masks and 25,000 coveralls donated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for COVID-19 response efforts.
Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan and other Pakistan Embassy officials greeted the air crew after landing.
Khan highlighted the historic ties between the two nations and their armed forces, noting that both countries have fought together against terrorism and now stand together in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs David F. Helvey represented the Defense Department. He expressed DOD's thanks to Pakistan, underscoring that the donation of personal protective equipment was a display of generosity and goodwill from a long-standing partner. Helvey emphasized that DOD is proud to stand with Pakistan's military in the global fight against COVID-19.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew C. Isler, the director of regional affairs for the deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs, thanked the Pakistani representatives for their support.
"We are grateful to Pakistan's military for its generosity and partnership," the general said. "Partners stand together as we move through challenges in these unprecedented times."
The materials were offloaded by airmen assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing.