1,000 Reserve Marines Mobilize to Support Operation Allies Welcome

Photo By Lance Cpl. Zachary Zephir | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Dylan Kasten, a mortarman with 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, plays with an Afghan child on Fort Pickett, Virginia, Nov. 17, 2021. Marines and Sailors of 1/23 recently replaced 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and began to build bonds with Afghan individuals awaiting the next steps in their resettlement process. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zachary Zephir)  

FORT PICKET , VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

12.16.2021

Courtesy Story

Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

FORT PICKETT, Va. – Marine Forces Reserve is playing an integral role in the continuing support for thousands of former Afghan partners who are in the special immigrant visa process here and Quantico following evacuations from Afghanistan.

Approximately 1,000 Reserve Marines and Sailors from the 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division; Combat Logistics Battalion 451, 4th Marine Logistics Group; and 4th Civil Affairs Group, Force Headquarters Group, have mobilized from across the country in support of Operation Allies Welcome in Virginia as part of Joint Task Force Pickett and JTF-Quantico. The 23rd Marine Regiment relieved the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune, N.C., at Fort Pickett, CLB-451 is augmenting the JTF in Quantico, and 4th CAG is supporting both JTFs.
OAW, led by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, follows through on America’s commitment to Afghan partners during Operation Enduring Freedom by providing them and their families temporary housing, medical and other support at secure locations, so they can safely complete the necessary steps for residing in the United States.
“Marine Forces Reserve exists to be ready when the nation calls. We are proud to pick up this mission that keeps faith with our Afghan partners and allows the Active Component forces to focus on other required training and missions,” said Lt. Gen. David G. Bellon, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces South.

Reserve Marines have a history of activating to support operations across a variety of missions in the United States. From disaster relief operations following Hurricane Katrina to helping maintain the consistent flow of Marine Corps recruit training during the Coronavirus pandemic, the Marine Corps Reserve has always been ready to assist.

“Every exercise and annual training event serves as a mobilization rehearsal, preparing Reserve Marines to augment active duty forces on a moment’s notice,” Bellon said.

For more information, contact the Marine Forces Reserve Communication Strategy and Operations Office at [e-mail]. Photo and video content of OAW can be found at the following link: https://go.usa.gov/xeHzn (DVIDS OAW Page, filtered to Va. imagery).

• Date Taken: 12.16.2021
• Date Posted: 12.16.2021 12:07
• Story ID: 411307
• Location: FORT PICKET , VIRGINIA, US