Transportation Command Aids in Historic Evacuation > U.S. Division of Protection > Protection Division News
The final months of operations in Afghanistan have been marked by an airlift procedure that the commander of U.S. Transportation Command, Military Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, characterized as “Herculean.”
The final several hours were being no a lot less Herculean.
Less than the protect of darkness, the very last C-17 carried performing U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson, who experienced overseen clearance of hundreds of thousands of Afghans evacuated together with American citizens, and the previous U.S. service member, Military Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, the commanding normal of the 82nd Airborne Division and commander of ground functions in Afghanistan.
“A small time ago, the previous U.S. C-17 departed Kabul, marking our departure from Afghanistan and the stop of the contested stage of this historic procedure, the premier noncombatant evacuation procedure airlift in history,” Lyons said. “The United States is the only country able of promptly deploying forces and offering nonstop airlift operations at this scale.”
It was just 17 times previously that Transcom experienced moved extra military forces into Afghanistan to protected the airport. Shortly right after arrival, Transcom’s air element, Air Mobility Command, positioned a large fleet of plane in U.S. Central Command and commenced flying what would turn out to be a historic, round-the-clock, strategic airlift procedure throughout three continents.
Securing the Airport: Evacuations Start off
The Transcom workforce was essential in going forces into Kabul to safe the airport, together with a contingency reaction group specialized in airport operations — air targeted visitors handle, runway administration, loading of aircraft and servicing — all equipped to operate in a hostile ecosystem.
“From the time Transcom obtained orders to commence deployment, preliminary drive things important to securing HKIA [Hamid Karzai International Airport] have been airborne in considerably less than a few several hours. We promptly commenced NEO operations and continued about-the-clock above the very last 17 times to assist with the secure evacuations of about 120,000 people today,” Lyons reported.


I would also like to convey the perception of profound satisfaction I have in the creative, identified and qualified way that our forces have get over difficulties. These unbelievable achievements, this historic airlift, speaks to the humanity of our troops in this mission and the skill and professionalism of our U.S. navy.”
Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, commander, U.S. Transportation Command
Lyons built it crystal clear that the Transcom crew was commanding all obtainable assets to entire the mission. Alongside with U.S. armed service aircraft, Transcom and supporting models labored with constitution flights arranged by other international locations and nongovernmental businesses.
“My motivation is to assure that airlift is under no circumstances the constraint in this procedure,” Lyons stated for the duration of an Aug. 23 virtual briefing to the Pentagon Push Corps. He famous Transcom was synched with Centcom and different protection, interagency, coalition and professional companions to do all the things the U.S. could do to get each and every evacuee out of Kabul as rapid as achievable.
Crews Airlift Much more than 19,000 to Basic safety in Single Day
The opening times of the airlift were marked by a perilous hurry of Afghans onto the tarmac at HKIA and credible stories the Islamic Condition Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, was threatening to attack U.S. forces and all those hoping to be airlifted to protection.
Amid this chaos, a C-17 with the phone indication ‘Reach 871’ departed HKIA with 823 Afghans on board. Lyons individually spoke with the crew and shared his gratitude.
“This incredibly devoted group of Air Force experts is the very best in the globe,” Lyons explained, referring to individuals included in the full airlift work.
“The iconic image of hundreds of Afghans on the ground of a C-17 illustrates the desperation, fear and uncertainty of the Afghan people, but also the lifesaving ability and compassion of our armed service customers. These Herculean endeavours underscore the United States’ dedication to our Afghan allies and give them an chance for a new starting, a safer everyday living, and a greater upcoming,” Lyons mentioned.
At the height of airlift operations out of HKIA, army plane had been departing the airport every single 34 minutes and, in a single working day, evacuated far more than 19,000 folks.
– Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commander of Centcom
ISIS-K Strikes: Aeromedical Launches Within just One particular Hour
On Aug. 26, suicide bombers, assessed to have been ISIS-K fighters, detonated explosives in the vicinity of the Abbey Gate at HKIA. The assault was followed by many ISIS gunmen opening fireplace on civilians and armed service forces. There were being multiple casualties at HKIA.
Three U.S. Air Pressure C-17s carrying aeromedical evacuation crews and Critical Treatment Air Transportation Groups were launched from Ramstein Air Foundation, Germany, and Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The to start with of these introduced only minutes right after the incident occurred at HKIA. These plane carried both of those U.S. company members and Afghans to professional medical remedy facilities at Ramstein and Al Udeid.
Transcom is dependable for the global individual movement network. The effectively-established system ensured clients have been delivered with lifesaving, in-flight health care treatment as they have been moved from original stabilizing care to an MTF that could best meet their needs.
As AE crews moved sufferers out of HKIA, evacuation operations continued.


U.S. Commercial Partners, World-wide Allies Stand Collectively
Transcom has a prolonged historical past and powerful partnership with the professional transportation business, and no important deployment of U.S. forces transpires devoid of their help. Early in the operation, the Civil Reserve Air Fleet was activated to be certain ample capacity was out there to transfer evacuees concerning middleman places and onward to the United States.
As short-term harmless havens had been established by CENTCOM and U.S. European Command, U.S. business air carriers turned very important companions in transporting evacuees to 14 middleman destinations during Europe and the Center East.
As soon as the Condition Office commenced clearing Afghans for journey to the U.S., industrial carriers also started transporting into Dulles Global Airport and Philadelphia International Airport. Commercial carriers are also offering onward movement of evacuees from DIA and PIA to armed service installations throughout the United States.
“I want to admit and thank our marketplace companions who routinely offer airlift in assistance of protection demands,” Lyons said, highlighting that the Defense Department’s ability to venture navy forces is inextricably connected to the business industry. “We drastically enjoy the contributions, collaboration and teamwork of our U.S. air carriers.”
Both equally commercial and army aircraft from partners and allies all around the world contributed to the evacuation out of Afghanistan.
“To be crystal clear, this is genuinely a world wide hard work,” Lyons said. “I thank our lots of coalition partners. We could not be thriving devoid of the far more than two dozen like-minded nations that grow our world-wide logistics networks by delivering crucial obtain and transit centers.”
Transcom Ends Functions in Afghanistan
With the completion of armed forces operations in Afghanistan, Transcom proceeds to shift evacuees from interim places to the United States.
“This operation was by much the most tricky problem established the organization has faced,” Air Force Maj. Gen. Corey Martin, Transcom’s director of functions, stated. “The scope of the dilemma, bold timelines, variety of constraints and contested environment mixed to existing a highly distinctive party. I am incredibly proud of the gentlemen and women in the functions directorate and throughout Transcom who efficiently rose to this unparalleled problem.”
The whole business shifted its mission in a subject of hrs. The consequence was a monumental achievement in airlift: 123,000 persons were taken out of harm’s way.
“This is an remarkable variety of people who are now safer many thanks to the heroism of the youthful males and girls who are putting their lives on the line each individual working day to evacuate Us citizens and susceptible Afghans out of Kabul,” Lyons reported.

“… the most noble of deeds.”

“As each and every of you know, this operation was not without having remarkable sacrifice,” Lyons claimed in an electronic mail to the Transcom personnel on Aug. 31. “Thirteen of our fellow warriors sacrificed them selves to preserve others, the most noble of deeds. Via our solemn obligation, we will normally bear in mind and honor their sacrifice via our actions and illustration.”
As he remembered the fallen, Lyons also remembered veterans who served in Afghanistan and remarked that they “ought to be amazingly proud of their contributions to protect our nation from individuals who would look for to do us damage.”
“I would also like to specific the sense of profound delight I have in the resourceful, decided and experienced way that our forces have overcome challenges. These unbelievable achievements, this historic airlift, speaks to the humanity of our troops in this mission and the skill and professionalism of our U.S. armed forces,” Lyons explained.
