USEUCOM Continues to Support Operation Allies Refuge
Our ability to rapidly meet this high demand is a testament to the skill, training and interconnectedness of our logistics professionals, and of course the pre-positioning of equipment we need for the operation.
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Note Left by Evacuee
An Afghan evacuee leaves a note on their cot for U.S. service members after departing Naval Station Rota, Spain for the United States. Flights carrying 350 evacuees from Afghanistan departed Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota for the United States on Aug. 31 in support of Operation Allies Refuge.
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
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Assembling Pods at Ramstein Air Base
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 435th Construction Training Squadron assemble pods at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 25, 2021. The 435th CTS, with the help of Dutch and Romanian military forces, are supporting Operation Allies Refuge by assembling pods for evacuees to stay in until they continue to other transient locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)
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Distributing supplies at NAS Sigonella
210830-N-PJ626-0046 NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy (Aug. 30, 2021) – Volunteers from the American and Italian Red Cross prepare donations for evacuees from Afghanistan on Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Aug. 30, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of State mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable populations from Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaila V. Peters)
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Evacuee Processing Line at NAVSTA Rota
NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (Aug. 30, 2021) Evacuees from Afghanistan wait to check in with U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Rota personnel after their arrival at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota Aug. 30, 2021. NAVSTA Rota is currently supporting the Department of State mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable populations from Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan Carpenter)
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Assembling Pods at Ramstein Air Base
Joint Coalition Partners and U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 435th Construction Training Squadron assemble a pod at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 25, 2021. The 435th CTS is supporting Operation Allies Refuge by constructing pods for incoming evacuees to stay in while they wait for transportation to other transient locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)
As the evacuations from Afghanistan have come to a close, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) components continue the mammoth task of supporting vulnerable Afghans and U.S. citizens who are transiting to their new home.
Since airlift operations commenced Aug. 20, USEUCOM received 114 flights with more than 34,000 evacuees into bases in Germany, Italy, and Spain. Of those, approximately 12,500 have been flown to the U.S. aboard 54 flights.
“Let me start by extending my personal and professional thanks to the women and men in the United States military," said USEUCOM’s Commander U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters during a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 25. "All of our civilian employees and most importantly to the volunteers who have given us their relentless efforts in support of this operation. It has truly been inspiring.”
At each of the installations, military personnel are working around the clock to transport, house, care and feed thousands of evacuees, while interagency teams coordinate and process the screening efforts to enable the evacuees to move on to their next stops. The logistical feat to carry out such an historic and epic mission has been instrumental toward the safety and security of all involved.
“Our logistics teams are giving their all to meet this surge,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Duke Heinz, USEUCOM director of logistics. “Our ability to rapidly meet this high demand is a testament to the skill, training and interconnectedness of our logistics professionals, and of course the pre-positioning of equipment we need for the operation.”
At Ramstein Air Base alone, logistics teams erected 557 tents, prepared more than 23,500 cots, and provided more than 164,000 meals.
“The numbers are staggering,” Heinz added. “The sheer magnitude of effort by our Airman, Sailors, Marines and Soldiers necessary to carry out this historic mission demonstrates their dedication and superb team work.”
For more information about USEUCOM’s ongoing support to Operation Allies Refuge, visit https://www.eucom.mil/afghan-evacuation-support.
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USEUCOM is responsible for U.S. military operations across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. USEUCOM is comprised of more than 64,000 military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and partners. The command is one of two U.S. forward-deployed geographic combatant commands headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. For more information about USEUCOM, visit https://www.eucom.mil.
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