History Corner – July 21, 2023

The U.S. Air Force assisted sister services and joint partners in evacuating around 15,000 American citizens from Lebanon after hostilities began between Israel and Hezbollah militants. This was one of the largest non-combatant evacuation operations in military history and began in July 2006 at USCENTCOM/USEUCOM at Ramstein Air Base. Capt. Tom Ausherman, military personnel flight commander, helps American departees complete travel paperwork at Ramstien Air Base, Germany on July 22, 2006. After landing at Ramstien Air Base, Germany, 101 American departees from Lebanon wait in the passenger to travel on to the continental U.S. by means of a C-17 Globemaster aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall)(released)