Pakistan responded by airlifting in two infantry divisions and reorganising their forces. The Group flew 35% of these missions, flying 510 sorties and airlifting 11,947 patients. The squadron supported these efforts by airlifting troops and supplies destined for Afghanistan. However, airlifting supplies costs up to ten times as much as transporting them through Pakistan. New Zealand began airlifting supplies and fresh water to Tuvalu on Monday, October 3, 2011. The UN had begun airlifting relief supplies in as of December 9. Dredging, airlifting, waterjetting, In-water surface cleaning. Sand was removed from within the piles by airlifting and replaced with concrete. Airlifting consists of two distinct types&colon; strategic and tactical. He was appointed as the commander of the Transport and Strategic Airlifting Command in 1999.