JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In a move designed to further solidify relations between Pakistan and the United States, a ceremony was held at Naval Air Station Jacksonville on Friday morning to transfer ownership of a rebuilt P-C3 Orion aircraft from the U.S. Navy to the Pakistan Navy."Pakistan is in the middle of a war with violent extremists," Air Force Brig. Gen. Thomas Masiello. "It not only affects the nation, it affects the region. Their war is our war."Officials from Pakistan explained the importance of acquiring such a valuable strategic defense tool in the interdiction of terrorists, narcotics traffickers and secure the seas from piracy."Our ability to actually survey the sea is going to enhance, in a great manner, our ability to stabilize the American command," said Pakistan Vice Adm. Shahid Iqbal.Crews from Pakistan have been working with their American counterparts since last fall to become certified to operate and maintain the plane, as well as carry out their mission.
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