Task Force Eagle at Fort Lee plays a Central Role in Operation Allies Welcome

Photo By Sgt. Cody Nelson | Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicants arrive via bus to the lodging area at Ft. Lee, Virginia, Aug. 7, 2021. The applicants are staying on the post temporarily to complete the final stages of their visa application process as part of Operation Allies Refuge. The Department of Defense, in support of the Department of State, is providing transportation and temporary housing for Afghan special immigrant applicants recently relocated to the United States to complete the final steps of the immigration process. This initiative follows through on America’s commitment to Afghan citizens who have helped the United States, and provides them essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan, where they and their families can complete the Special Immigrant Visa process safely. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cody Nelson)  

FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

09.15.2021

Courtesy Story

Operation Allies Welcome - Operation Allies Refuge   

By Maj. Joe Sher, Task Force Eagle Public Affairs

FORT LEE, Va. - Operation Allies Refuge (OAR) was a U.S. Department of State-led mission that supported relocations of interested and eligible Afghan nationals and their families who supported the U.S. government during the war in Afghanistan.

Task Force Eagle, the task force assembled at Fort Lee to execute OAR, remains part of the renamed Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), led by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State (DOS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for up to 50,000 Afghan evacuees at military facilities across the country.

This initiative provides vulnerable Afghans essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. Task Force Eagle is an integral part of the process.

“What a great mission,” said Army Sgt. Maj. Mark D. Lewis, the non-commissioned officer for operations for Task Force Eagle. “I’m proud to be a part of taking care of these individuals that put their lives on the line in order to support us."

Lewis had significant experience in working alongside Afghans when he was deployed to Afghanistan.

Fort Lee was initially identified by the U.S. Army as an east coast location that could quickly be utilized to provide temporary housing for an initial 3,500 Afghans and their families to finish administrative checks and undergo the necessary medical exams to qualify for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV).

Task Force Eagle consists of more than 400 personnel from DOS, U.S. Army, DHS, and other government and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners. The task force coordinates the U.S. government’s efforts to take SIV applicants out of harm’s way and, if qualified, bring them to the United States once their security vetting is complete.

U.S. Army personnel attached to the task force comes from all of its components and skill sets. Task force members consist of individuals from: medical, religious services, culinary specialists, and logisticians.

Upon their arrival at the airport, SIVs are greeted by members of DOS and NGOs with interpreters that assist with their initial processing at the port of entry. Upon completion, SIVs and their families are directed to an assigned bus that transports them to Fort Lee.

• Date Taken: 09.15.2021
• Date Posted: 09.25.2021 13:50
• Story ID: 405307
• Location: FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, US