Afghanistan, US flights transport displaced Afghans from Italy to the United States

Rome, August 29. (Askanews) – Displaced people from Afghanistan left Sigonella Naval Air Station August 28 on their way to the United States. Planes bound for the United States took off at full capacity with vulnerable American and Afghan citizens to Philadelphia and Dulles Airport as part of the Allied refugee operation. This was stated in a joint press release of the US Embassy in Rome – Naval Air Station Sigonella. “The United States has succeeded in evacuating and facilitating the evacuation of more than 100,000 people and their families on US Army and coalition flights. The departure of direct aircraft in. The United States is the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of American and Afghan citizens who have gone through many difficulties,” said Thomas Smitham, Chargé d’Affairs at the US Embassy in Rome. “It is a testament to our brave American service members, our civil and military cooperation, and the strength of our partnership with the Italian government.” Operation Allies Refuge is the mission of the US Department of State to evacuate US citizens, special immigrant visa applicants and others. vulnerable populations of Afghanistan as quickly and safely as possible. Working in partnership with allies in the Italian Air Force and the Italian government, NAS Sigonella serves as a transit point for the displaced prior to their journey to the United States and other locations. “I could not be more proud of the Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians, U.S. Government officials and our civilian personnel who have worked tirelessly and consistently to ensure a safe haven for these vulnerable people,” Anna Wood, Sigonella NAS Commander. “This has been an arduous effort that we have undertaken with the State Department and other US government agencies, working together to assist and facilitate the transit of vulnerable US citizens and Afghans into the United States. This first flight of IDPs departing from ‘Italy for the United States is a testament to all that we have done and remains to be done. We have to do it. We will get the job done and we will do it together.” State Department officers and their local staff, along with military service members, have worked to provide around-the-clock assistance since the evacuation mission began on August 22. said Kim Krhonik, Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the US Embassy in Rome and Head of Interagency Coordination in Sigonella. “We are doing everything we can to help vulnerable Americans and Afghans in desperate need. Our goal is to welcome and support them and their families and lead coordination with colleagues between agencies to ensure they reach their destinations as quickly as possible. The NAS Sigonella team has also worked tirelessly to prepare and care for the displaced as part of the efforts Ongoing air transportation at US Central Command and US European Command theaters NAS Sigonella personnel have designated two barracks and other temporary housing buildings on the base for the displaced Each venue is equipped with halal, religious, and recreational areas In addition, medical assistance is provided to assess and assist people with injuries or Other medical problems A local imam – reads the joint note – visits daily to help displaced people with religious and spiritual support. Community members and dependents of US forces assigned to NAS Sigonella continued to volunteer and donate. The response was so overwhelming that each of the hundreds of children who arrived at NAS Sigonella They were given a soft doll to welcome them, with clothes and other necessities provided for everyone. In addition to his airlift A USAF Air Mobility Command, the US Navy provided critical additional support to evacuees using four Clipper C-40As, from the Fleet Logistics Support Wing, based at Joint Base Fort Worth.