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Afghanistan Evacuation Support

As the last U.S. service members departed Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 31, U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) continued moving evacuees from temporary safe havens onward to the United States. The United States and partnering countries evacuated approximately 124,000 people to safety.


Air Mobility Command, USTRANSCOM’s air component, continues providing airlift support for evacuees. Aircraft include those used for military transportation, such as C-17s and C-130s, and aerial refuelers such as the KC-135s and KC-10s. Approximately 400 active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve crews have flown evacuees to safety.


Quotes from U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Lyons, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command

Quote from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, Commander, U.S. Central Command

Commercial Partners

Commercial airlines, both from the United States and other countries, have played a vital role in moving Afghanistan evacuees from staging locations onward to the United States. U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) recognizes that our ability to respond in times of crisis is inextricably linked to commercial industry.


On Aug. 22, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III ordered USTRANSCOM to activate Stage I of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) to augment support to the Department of State in the evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk individuals from Afghanistan. American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, Omni Air, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines contributed a total of 18 commercial aircraft. The activation of commercial airplanes under CRAF ended on Sept. 12. Our air component, Air Mobility Command (AMC), coordinated flight schedules during the activation and continues to coordinate international and domestic flights relocating evacuees into the United States.


USTRANSCOM consistently communicated with airline leadership to coordinate flight schedules and manage the intricacies of this complex operation. We appreciate the tireless work of the flight crews, aircraft cleaning teams, ground crews and all employees of the airline industry committed to this effort, working with us to safely move our Afghan partners and their families. Our capability to successfully carry out this mission is dependent on the critical capacity industry partners provide in extending our global transportation network. Together, we deliver!



Latest Updates

On Sept. 12, Stage I of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) activation ended. Commercial airline partners continue to play a vital role in transporting evacuees from staging locations in Europe and the Middle East to the United States.


On Aug. 31, the last U.S. C-17 aircraft departed Kabul marking America’s departure from Afghanistan and the end of the largest non-combatant evacuation operation airlift in history.


On Aug. 26, USTRANSCOM supported the medical evacuation of U.S. servicemembers and Afghan nationals following an attack by the Islamic State Khorasan (known as ISIS-K) at HKIA. USTRANSCOM is the Department of Defense’s single manager for global patient movement. Three C-17s carrying aeromedical evacuation crews and Critical Care Air Transport Teams were launched from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, with the first of those taking off only minutes after the incident occurred at HKIA.


On Aug. 22, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III ordered USTRANSCOM to activate Stage I of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) to augment support to the Department of State in the evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk individuals from Afghanistan. CRAF is a National Emergency Preparedness Program designed to augment the Department’s airlift capability and is a core component of USTRANSCOM’s ability to meet national security interests and contingency requirements. American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, Omni Air, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines contributed a total of 18 commercial aircraft.


On Aug. 15, a C-17 flight set a record by carrying 823 passengers from Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul, Afghanistan. On average, one military aircraft has departed HKIA every hour.


Articles

USTRANSCOM, industry leaders solidify strategic airlift partnership at CRAF summit

Release #: 20240606-1 Thursday, June 06, 2024
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. — U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) hosted government and commercial airline leaders June 5, to discuss strategic airlift readiness and to continue strengthening partnerships. USTRANSCOM Deputy Commander Army Lt. Gen. John Sullivan co-chaired the biannual Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) Executive Working Group (EWG) with Air Mobility Command Deputy …

AMC Announces Additional Awards for Operation Allies Refuge

Release #: 20231108-1 Wednesday, November 08, 2023
SCOTT AFB, Ill. —  Air Mobility Command will award eight Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Star Medals, 229 Air Medals and 98 Meritorious Service Medals for actions taken during Operation Allies Refuge. Some of the medals will be presented during a private gathering at the 2023 Airlift Tanker Association Convention, in Grapevine, Texas, Nov. 9, 2023. Those being awarded …

USTRANSCOM’s reserve force charts new era

Release #: 20231023-1 Monday, October 23, 2023
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. — U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) deactivated its Joint Transportation Reserve Unit (JTRU) during a ceremony on Oct. 21, following three decades of service. The JTRU's mission was to enhance USTRANSCOM's ability to project and sustain military power at a time and place of the nation's choosing. Its deactivation will allow a realignment to a Reserve …

Command interview: Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, USTRANSCOM

Release #: 20230323-1 Thursday, March 23, 2023
Gen. Van Ovost is the 14th Commander of U.S. Transportation Command, one of 11 combatant commands in the Department of Defense. USTRANSCOM’s mission is to project and sustain military power globally in order to assure our friends and allies, deter potential adversaries, and if necessary, respond to win decisively. Gen. Van Ovost has a diverse operational and training background which …

USTRANSCOM Year in Review 2022

Release #: 20221222-1 Thursday, December 22, 2022

USTRANSCOM at 35

Release #: 20221003-1 Monday, October 03, 2022

Looking back at the command’s historic effort that moved 124K to safety

Release #: 20220825-1 Thursday, August 25, 2022

Civil Reserve Air Fleet is critical to national security

Release #: 20220822-1 Monday, August 22, 2022

75 Years of Mobility Operations

Release #: 20220311-1 Friday, March 11, 2022

USTRANSCOM patient movement teams save lives during historic NEO

Release #: 20211001-1 Friday, October 01, 2021

USTRANSCOM commander recognizes contingency response Airmen

Release #: 20210927-1 Monday, September 27, 2021

Maj. Gen. Corey Martin Remembers 9-11

Release #: 20210910-1 Friday, September 10, 2021

USTRANSCOM supports evacuation of 124K people in historic airlift

Release #: 20210902-1 Thursday, September 02, 2021

‘Baby on board’ – Aircrew deliver Afghan baby on evacuation flight

Release #: 20210831-1 Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Fast-Paced Airport Ground Ops Keeps Evacuees Moving

Release #: 20210824-1 Tuesday, August 24, 2021

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