A US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III landed at Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi on Saturday, carrying emergency relief supplies for victims of Pakistan’s devastating monsoon floods. The delivery, made at the request of the Pakistan military, marked the first of six planned American relief flights.
The cargo included food, medical supplies, tents, dewatering pumps, generators, and shelter materials for flood-affected communities. The handover ceremony at the base was attended by US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker and the Commander of US ARCENT, who formally transferred the goods to the Pakistan Army. According to ISPR, the relief will be distributed through Army Flood Relief Camps.
The US Embassy in Islamabad confirmed the delivery on X, posting photographs of the C-17A on the Nur Khan Air Base tarmac. “We stand with the people of Pakistan in this difficult time,” the embassy said, expressing condolences for the widespread devastation.
Strategic Debates Over Nur Khan Air Base
While the aid delivery was welcomed, the choice of Nur Khan Air Base has sparked debate in Pakistan. Defence analyst Imtiaz Gul claimed earlier this year that the strategically important base is effectively under US influence, with even senior Pakistani officers facing restricted access.
The base also carries recent military significance. During India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025, the Indian Air Force struck the airfield, destroying its runway, hangars, and a 7,000-square-foot operations complex, along with damaging several military vehicles.
Despite the controversy, the arrival of American relief flights underscores Washington’s continued engagement with Islamabad during humanitarian crises. Five more flights are scheduled to arrive in the coming days, bolstering Pakistan’s flood relief efforts.
