At least three commercial airlines are transporting lethal U.S. military equipment to Ukraine as part of a massive logistical operation to get weapons to front-line fighters and push back Russian invaders.
An NBC News segment on Saturday showed 747 cargo planes from Atlas Air (NASDAQ: AAWW) and Kalitta Air taking off from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, bound for Poland with munitions for Ukraine. The Biden administration has pledged more than $3.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24.
As previously reported, the Orlando, Florida-based airline had also been operating 747 cargo planes loaded with weapons and equipment since before hostilities broke out in late February.
According to NBC and the Pentagon, the three air cargo companies, working under existing contracts with the Department of Defense, are transporting ammunition for 155mm howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger shoulder-fired anti-aircraft systems, pistols, body armor and other equipment.
NBC said the 747 is capable of carrying about 42 artillery shells, or about 3,000 rounds.
The explosives are transported via unmarked tractor trailers to Dover Air Base, the hub of Ukraine’s resupply efforts, from ammunition depots across the country.
A military officer in charge of warehouse and loading operations in Dover told NBC News that the United States has shipped more than 7 million pounds of material to Ukraine on more than 60 flights.
The Pentagon, Atlas Air, Kalitta Air and National Airlines did not respond to emailed requests for more information.
Atlas Air CEO John Dietrich said during a call with analysts to discuss first-quarter earnings that the company supports U.S. military supply efforts to Ukraine.
Atlas Air has the world’s largest fleet of 747 freighters. Kalitta operates 22 Boeing 747-400s, according to Flightradar24, and National has six 747-400s.
The three airlines are part of the Civilian Air Reserve Fleet, which gives participants priority for defense work in exchange for making their fleets available for national security emergencies.
(Updated May 5 at 6:47 p.m. ET)
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