Task Force Eagle at Fort Lee, Virginia, is supporting the mission of
relocating up to 3,500 Afghan special immigrant applicants in support
of the State Department and as directed by the Defense Department.
Army Col. Karin L. Watson, Fort Lee's garrison commander, said the
installation received notification of its role in support of Operation
Allies Refuge on July 15. The operation supports the relocation of
interested and eligible Afghans and families who have supported the U.S.
government and are close to finishing the process of applying for
special immigrant visas, according to the State Department.
The task force is charged with providing temporary housing, medical
screening, food, religious support and other necessities to Afghan
special immigrant applicants.
The first group of about 200 Afghans arrived at Fort Lee on July 30.
They are finishing the remaining steps on their path to becoming
permanent U.S. residents.
"Fort Lee remains eager and committed to doing all it can to support
the U.S. government's efforts to help those who have helped us for many
years," said Army Maj. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, commanding general of the
Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee.
"We were able to accelerate the planning and preparation for this
mission thanks to the responsiveness of the entire military enterprise,"
Simerly said. "We are thankful for their support and are proud to
support this valuable mission."
Watson acknowledged the "all-hands effort" of her staff and
installation tenant agencies. She said the installation has received
tremendous support from the privatized Army lodging facility; Logistic
Readiness Center - Lee; the Army Mission and Installation Contracting
Command; the Army & Air Force Exchange Service; and others.
"While most of these individuals will only be at Fort Lee for a short
time, we want that experience to be welcoming and respectful," Watson
said. The base has taken into consideration their religious and cultural
needs, for example the provision of halal food permitted by Islam."
In all we do, we will demonstrate our commitment to our Afghan
partners and their families who have sacrificed in pursuit of mutual
security objectives.''
Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, Commander, U.S. Northern Command
The commanders further emphasized that Operation Allies Refuge will
not interrupt the installation's primary training mission. Fort Lee is
the home of the Army's ordnance, quartermaster and transportation
schools and the Army Logistics University.
"Our commanders and staff are working hard to ensure there is minimal
disruption to the people who live and work on Fort Lee, and they're
closely coordinating our actions with the surrounding communities,"
Simerly said. He also noted that those within the community have
expressed strong support for the mission.
The Operation Allies Refuge effort is led by the State Department,
which has asked the DOD for support. Within the DOD, U.S. Northern
Command is the lead on providing that support.
"U.S. Northern Command, in support of [the] Department of State, is
honored to lead the Department of Defense efforts to this critical
mission," said Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, Northcom commander. "In
all we do, we will demonstrate our commitment to our Afghan partners and
their families who have sacrificed in pursuit of mutual security
objectives."
Fort Lee was chosen by the DOD to participate in Operation Allies
Refuge because it meets the State and Defense Department criteria for a
secure location with the capacity to house and provide essential
services to the Afghan special immigrant applicants.
Fort Lee's proximity on the East Coast allows shorter travel from
overseas locations and has the capability for quick utilization as a
temporary host installation for Afghan special immigrant applicants.
*Note: This article has been adapted from the original
article published on army.mil. Additional information provided by U.S.
Northern Command has been added to this release. To read the original article, please click here.
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