US seeks to open more locations to aid evacuation from Kabul, General says

By David Vergun, DOD NewsAugust 23, 2021

Paratroopers assigned with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division assist with the safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk Afghans from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Paratroopers assigned with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division assist with the safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk Afghans from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo) VIEW ORIGINAL

DOD officials provided an overview of efforts to evacuate U.S. citizens and eligible Afghans from Kabul.

John F. Kirby, Pentagon press secretary, and Army Maj. Gen. William "Hank" Taylor, Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations, spoke at a press briefing today.

Besides the intermediate way station in Qatar, the U.S. has started using additional sites to include Germany, and discussions are taking place to open other areas as well, Taylor said, noting that planes from the Hamid Karzai International Airport have also landed in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

UK coalition forces, Turkish coalition forces, and U.S. Marines assist a child during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla) 
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – UK coalition forces, Turkish coalition forces, and U.S. Marines assist a child during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla)  (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
A Corpsman with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) checks the well-being of evacuees’ during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz).
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Corpsman with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) checks the well-being of evacuees’ during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Once the evacuees are processed at intermediate way stations, they are flown to the U.S. and are taken to Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Lee, Virginia; or, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.

In the last 24 hours, six U.S. military C-17 aircraft and 32 charter flights departed Kabul, for a total of about 3,800 passengers, he said.

Also in the past 24 hours, three flights landed at Dulles International Airport, in Virginia, he added.

"As you can see, this is a very complex and multi step operation," Taylor said.

The U.S. military has 5,800 troops at the Kabul airport. Their mission is airport operations and security, he said, adding that "the airport remains secure."

Kirby described the situation outside the airport in Kabul as "very fluid and dynamic," and that "it changes almost by the hour."

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 1st Combat Communications Squadron carries diapers to provide Afghan evacuee mothers at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 20, 2021. Ramstein Air Base is providing safe, temporary lodging for qualified evacuees from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Refuge during the next several weeks. Operation Allies Refuge is facilitating the quick, safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other at-risk Afghans from Afghanistan. Qualified evacuees will receive support, such as temporary lodging, food, medical screening and treatment and more at Ramstein Air Base while preparing for onward movements to their final destinations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Madelyn Keech)
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Airman assigned to the 1st Combat Communications Squadron carries diapers to provide Afghan evacuee mothers at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 20, 2021. Ramstein Air Base is providing safe, temporary lodging for qualified evacuees from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Refuge during the next several weeks. Operation Allies Refuge is facilitating the quick, safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other at-risk Afghans from Afghanistan. Qualified evacuees will receive support, such as temporary lodging, food, medical screening and treatment and more at Ramstein Air Base while preparing for onward movements to their final destinations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Madelyn Keech) (Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class Madelyn Keech) VIEW ORIGINAL
A Marine assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) calms an infant during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20. U.S. service members and coalition partners are assisting the Department of State with a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Isaiah Campbell)
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Marine assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) calms an infant during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20. U.S. service members and coalition partners are assisting the Department of State with a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Isaiah Campbell) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The press secretary said he's aware of reports during the past week of Afghans and Americans being harassed and in a few cases assaulted, but believes it has not been widespread.

Regular communications with Taliban leaders outside the airport continue throughout the day, Kirby said. Those talks center around deconfliction and ensuring Americans and Afghans have safe passage to the airport.

Related Transcript: Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing

RELATED STORIES