Military air traffic from the United States into the Dominican Republic has recently escalated, with a noticeable increase in flights to both the San Isidro Air Base and the Las Américas International Airport (AILA), according to information obtained from military sources, Diario Libre reports.
Diario Libre reports that a C-5 Super Galaxy, regarded as one of the world’s largest cargo planes, touched down at the San Isidro Air Base, and a C-17 Globemaster III arrived at Las Americas International Airport on Sunday, 7 December 2025.
President Luis Abinader had announced on 26 November 2025 that the Dominican government had authorized the provisional use of the Las Americas International Airport and San Isidro Air Base for military and drug combating operations of the US Department of War (Defense). The announcement was made during a press conference following the meeting of President Abinader with visiting US Secretary of War (Defense) Pete Hegseth.
Diario Libre reports that its Dominican military authority sources confirmed that humanitarian aid delivered by the Super Galaxy on Sunday, 7 December 2025 had been scheduled “with considerable advance notice,” other flights arriving in recent days reportedly transported materials and supplies related to operations previously agreed upon with the Dominican government.
These logistics are tied to the earlier visit of U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The ongoing activities include moving equipment and supplies for US personnel who are expected to be temporarily stationed in designated areas.
The authorization permits US aircraft to conduct logistical operations, including aerial refueling, and the transport of equipment and technical personnel. These joint efforts have been explained to be part of a bilateral strategy to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
The Dominican President had announced there are now assigned restricted areas at Las Americas and San Isidro Air Force base airports for logistics, fueling, transport of equipment and technical personnel. The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen the ring of air and maritime protection of the Dominican armed forces. The intent is to impede the entry of narcotics and deliver a blow to transnational organized crime.
President Abinader said at the press conference with Hegseth that the joint effort is intended to strengthen our sovereignty especially in air spaces. “Thanks to this synergy with our most important strategic partner, the United States, we strengthen surveillance and operative capacity of our armed forces. We close criminal routes and reduce the corrupting influence of narco cartels,” he stated.
A subsequent release from the Ministry of Foreign Relations highlighted that the Dominican government would not authorize the landing of US combat planes.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
DR1 News
DR1 News
10 December 2025