by Senior Airman Jacob Wongwai
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs October 15, 2021
Flights transporting Afghan evacuees to the United States from Ramstein Air Base, resumed Oct. 9.
The outbound flights began again after a temporary pause at the request of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to the discovery of a small number of measles cases in the United States among recently arrived evacuees from Afghanistan.
Evacuees board an outbound flight to the United States from Ramstein Air Base, Oct. 9. This is the first flight to depart Ramstein after a three-week pause. Outbound flights were temporarily paused at the request of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention out of an abundance of caution due to the discovery of a small number of measles cases in the United States among recently arrived evacuees from Afghanistan. Approximately 8,800 evacuees received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and the majority of eligible evacuees received the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at Ramstein and Rhine Ordnance Barracks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Philip Bryant)
“The flights did stop but operations were always continuous. We were always making sure of caring for the travelers, always finding a way to improve their quality of life here,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jason Harre, Operation Allies Welcome evacuee processing center lead. “Finding ways to prepare them for integration into U.S. life.”
As evacuees waited for just over three weeks, Ramstein, along with various other agencies, worked together to provide for the evacuees during their extended stay.
“Whether it’s the Department of Defense, Department of State, or our partners, it was our common humanity which really allowed us to come together,” said Lt. Col. John Frazier 86th Force Support Squadron. “Just seeing the soldiers, Airmen, Guardians, and teachers as well, literally pouring out their hearts taking care of these other human beings has been inspiring and awesome to see.”
U.S Air Force Staff Sgt. Tessie Odhiambo, Personnel Support for Contingency Operations noncommissioned officer in charge of personal support, helps evacuees prepare for their departure to the United States from Ramstein Air Base, Oct. 9. Evacuees completed a pre-flight screening in a Transportation Security Administration compliant, purpose-built passenger terminal before boarding outbound flights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Wongwai)
With the help of the U.S. Army, Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, Department of State, German nationals and military members, Ramstein was able to construct a new, TSA compliant, purpose-built passenger terminal to streamline the pre-flight screening process and continue evacuation efforts.
“We have people here from various AFSCs, people from various nations, from various forces and from various agencies helping with multiple vetting processes,” Harre said. “It takes a total team mentality.”
Since flights resumed on Oct. 9, approximately 2,500 evacuees have flown out of Ramstein as of Oct. 12.
Ramstein AB has been serving as the largest reception port for Afghan evacuees within U.S. European Command since Aug. 20, and has received approximately 35,000 evacuees to date during the largest airlift mission in Air Force history.
Dale Wursten, Transportation Security Administration inspector, is assisted by an evacuee who takes his family’s photo at Ramstein Air Base, Oct. 9. Evacuees are being processed through a Transportation Security Administration compliant, purpose-built passenger terminal in preparation to board out-bound flights destined for the United States from Ramstein. Ramstein has been serving as U.S. European Command’s primary hub for evacuation operations out of Afghanistan since Aug. 20 providing evacuees with temporary lodging, food, medical services and support while they awaited travel to the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)
Evacuees wait to be processed at the Transportation Security Administration compliant, purpose-built passenger terminal at Ramstein Air Base as they prepare to travel to the United States, Oct. 9. Ramstein is working with various entities to process evacuees through security check-points to ensure the safety of passengers, personnel and flights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Wongwai)
Twitter
Facebook
