Recognizing the heroic efforts of United States and Coalition forces who conducted the airlift in Operation Allies Refuge.

Whereas, from August 14, 2021, through August 31, 2021, the United States Armed Forces and coalition forces supporting the United States operations in Afghanistan conducted the largest non-combatant evacuation in the history of the United States Armed Forces from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan; Whereas United States Transportation Command led the effort, and United States Air Force Air Mobility Command, the air component, executed the operation; Whereas from the time United States Transportation Command received orders to commence deployment, initial force elements critical to securing the airfield were airborne in less than 3 hours; Whereas United States Transportation Command delivered more than 5,000 security forces and their equipment to Hamid Karzai International Airport within 5 days; Whereas nearly 100 contingency Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing entered Hamid Karzai International Airport to operate the airfield and facilitate the evacuation; Whereas members of the 621st Contingency Response Wing arrived at a non-functioning airfield and rapidly repaired radars, airfield lighting, refueling capabilities, ground servicing equipment and vehicles; Whereas the 621st Contingency Response Wing serviced, unloaded, repaired, and loaded 721 of the 778 aircraft that transited the airport, servicing an average of 4 aircraft simultaneously; Whereas Air Mobility Command, used more than 250 aircraft, including C–17s, C–130s, KC–10s, KC–135s, KC–46s, and C–5Ms aircraft, for tactical and en route airlift; Whereas the United States Armed Forces conducted more than 330 C–17 and C–130 missions from Hamid Karzai International Airport; Whereas United States Air Force Air Mobility command planned and directed 2,627 total sorties, including 1,927 military and 700 commercial aircraft flights; Whereas, on August 15, 2021, a C–17 flight, callsign Reach 871, set a record by carrying 823 passengers from Hamid Karzai International Airport; Whereas 35 patients were transported on 3 aeromedical evacuation missions following the cowardly Islamic State-Khorasan suicide bombing attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport; Whereas 11 aeromedical evacuation flights were conducted from various locations to provide life-saving treatment for 59 patients; Whereas on-board flight nurses and medical personnel provided lifesaving medical treatment for evacuees while on-board, including by delivering at least 3 babies; Whereas during the entire airlift, not a single sortie was missed for maintenance, fuel, or logistical problems; Whereas more than 500 members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, in the Air National Guard, and in the Air Force Reserve flew missions around the clock for 17 days; Whereas, on average, the airlift evacuated 7,500 American citizens, coalition partners, and at-risk personnel each day; Whereas at the height of the airlift operation, military aircraft were departing the airport every 34 minutes and evacuated more than 21,600 people in a single day; Whereas, from August 21, 2021, to September 13, 2021, the Civil Reserve Air Fleet was activated to augment support to the Department of State in the evacuation using aircraft from American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, Omni Air, Hawaiian Airlines, and United Airlines; Whereas the Civil Reserve Air Fleet contributed a total of 18 commercial aircraft and more than 420 flights; and Whereas more than 124,000 evacuees were taken to safety, of which United States Transportation Command and Air Force Air Mobility Command moved more than 79,000, including 6,000 American citizens: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the courage, commitment, compassion, and selfless service of the members of the United States Armed Forces who conducted the non-combatant evacuation operation airlift from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan; (2) honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women who participated in and supported Operations Allies Refuge; and (3) applauds the men and women of the United States Transportation Command and the Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force, who provided hope, saved lives, and executed their mission under the most austere conditions, representing the best of the United States.

Summary: This resolution recognizes the members of the Armed Forces who conducted the noncombatant evacuation operation airlift from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, and honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women who participated in and supported Operation Allies Refuge. The resolution applauds the members of the U.S. Transportation Command and the Air Mobility Command of the Air Force who provided hope, saved lives, and executed their mission.