2021 Year in Review: Afghanistan Evacuation Operations

U.S. Airmen assigned to Ramstein Air Base, Germany help set up tents at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 19, 2021. Ramstein Air Base is providing safe, temporary lodging for qualified evacuees from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Refuge during the next several weeks. Operation Allies Refuge is facilitating the quick, safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other at-risk Afghans from Afghanistan. Qualified evacuees will receive support, such as temporary lodging, food, medical screening and treatment and more, while housed at Ramstein Air Base while preparing for onward movements to their final destinations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jorge Jimenez, left, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, plays ball with an evacuee child at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 24, 2021. Jimenez helped prepare food for evacuees and helped increase morale by playing games with the children. Ramstein is providing safe, temporary lodging for evacuees while they wait for transportation to other transient locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)
U.S. Space Force Capt. Justine Pescetello-Parr, 603rd Air Operations Center space weapons operator, distributes food to an evacuee at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 31, 2021. Guardians provide support in many ways, from processing evacuees as they get off the aircraft to helping out in the pods liaising between evacuees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
A group of Afghan evacuees depart a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 20, 2021. Ramstein Air Base is providing safe, temporary lodging for qualified evacuees from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Refuge during the next several weeks. Operation Allies Refuge is facilitating the quick, safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other at-risk Afghans from Afghanistan. Qualified evacuees will receive support such as temporary lodging, food, medical screening, treatment and more at Ramstein Air Base while preparing for onward movements to their final destination. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Taylor Slater)
Evacuees board an Atlas Air aircraft for a departure flight from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to other onward locations Sept. 4, 2021. Ramstein Air Base transformed into U.S. European Command’s primary evacuation hub, supporting one of the largest, most complex humanitarian airlift operations in history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 721st Aerial Port Squadron walk on the flightline at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 22, 2021. The 721st APS is supporting Operation Allies Refuge by providing food to evacuees and cleaning the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)
Senior Airman Andrew Stutesman, 603rd Air Communications Squadron cyber system technician, plays soccer with evacuees at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 23, 2021. U.S. Airmen work non-stop delivering clothing, toys and water to evacuees daily. Ramstein, a transit location for evacuees from Afghanistan, is providing temporary lodging, food, medical services and treatment while they await transportation to more permanent resettlement locations. Ramstein Air Base transformed into U.S. European Command’s primary evacuation hub supporting one of the largest, most complex humanitarian airlift operations in history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Claudya Macion-Pointer, 86th Dental Squadron dental assistant, processes an evacuee before he receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 26, 2021. Ramstein began the vaccination effort out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of the evacuees and local communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)