August 23, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–According to the U.S. Northern Command in a Tweet earlier today they stated that Joint Base MDL-McGuire, Dix and Lakehurst at the request of the U.S. State Department will be providing temporary housing, sustainment, and support for specified Afghan special immigrant visa applicants and their families, and other vulnerable Afghans. The base will provide housing, medical, logistics, and transportation support.
Governor Phil Murphy shared the tweet this morning and also sent a letter to President Joe Biden yesterday to welcome the Afghans to New Jersey.
“We will welcome Afghan refugees with open arms here in New Jersey at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Our state has always served as a shining beacon of hope to the world, and we will do everything in our power to help these refugees rebuild their lives.” — Governor Phil Murphy
This morning’s Tweet from U.S. Northern Command:
The @DeptofDefense recently approved a request for assistance from @StateDept to provide temporary housing, sustainment, and support inside the U.S for specified Afghan special immigrant visa applicants and their families, and other vulnerable Afghans, @jointbasemdl, N.J.
U.S. Northern Command@USNorthernCmd·The task force at @jointbasemdl, N.J. will provide the housing, medical, logistics, and transportation support. #OperationAlliesRefuge
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III safely transported 823 Afghan citizens from Hamid Karzai International Airport, Aug. 15, 2021. The initial count of 640 passengers included only adults, inadvertently leaving off 183 children seated in laps as passengers were transported from the flight line. The correct total passenger count of 823 is a record for the C-17. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III safely transported 823 Afghan citizens from Hamid Karzai International Airport, Aug. 15, 2021. The initial count of 640 passengers included only adults, inadvertently leaving off 183 children seated in laps as passengers were transported from the flight line. The correct total passenger count of 823 is a record for the C-17. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
210818-M-JM820-1048 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 18, 2021) – A U.S. Marine assigned to 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit interacts with children during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 18. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas Guevara) 
210818-M-JM820-1066 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 18, 2021) – A U.S. Marine assigned to 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit checks in evacuees before their flight, during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 18. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas Guevara) 
210818-M-JM820-1162 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 18, 2021) – U.S. Marines assigned to 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit escorts evacuees during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 18. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas Guevara) 
210818-M-JM820-1174 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 18, 2021) – Evacuees stage before boarding a C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 18. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas Guevara) 
210818-M-JM820-1182 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 18, 2021) – A U.S. Marine assigned to 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit fists bumps a child evacuee during a military drawdown at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 18. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicholas Guevara) 
210818-M-TU241-1001 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 18, 2021) Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) search luggage during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 18. U.S. Marines are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Isaiah Campbell) 
210818-M-TU241-1009 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 18, 2021) Marines with the 24th Expeditionary Unit (MEU) guide an evacuee during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 18. U.S. Soldiers and Marines are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Isaiah Campbell) 
210818-M-TU241-1015 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 18, 2021) A Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) provides security during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 18. U.S. Marines are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Isaiah Campbell) 
U.S. Air Force Airman from the 380th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron gather humanitarian relief supplies at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Aug 20, 2021. The 380th ECONS team generated the order of a humanitarian relief supplies that was purchased, palletized and ready to be sent within 36 hours to support qualified Afghan refugees currently being evacuated by the U.S. Military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf) 
U.S. Air Force Airman from the 380th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron gather humanitarian relief supplies at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Aug 20, 2021. The 380th ECONS team generated the order of a humanitarian relief supplies that was purchased, palletized and ready to be sent within 36 hours to support qualified Afghan refugees currently being evacuated by the U.S. Military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf) 
U.S. Air Force Airman from the 380th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron gather humanitarian relief supplies at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Aug 20, 2021. The 380th ECONS team generated the order of a humanitarian relief supplies that was purchased, palletized and ready to be sent within 36 hours to support qualified Afghan refugees currently being evacuated by the U.S. Military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf) 
U.S. Air Force Airman from the 380th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron gather humanitarian relief supplies at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Aug 20, 2021. The 380th ECONS team generated the order of a humanitarian relief supplies that was purchased, palletized and ready to be sent within 36 hours to support qualified Afghan refugees currently being evacuated by the U.S. Military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf) 
U.S. Air Force Airman from the 380th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron gather humanitarian relief supplies at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Aug 20, 2021. The 380th ECONS team generated the order of a humanitarian relief supplies that was purchased, palletized and ready to be sent within 36 hours to support qualified Afghan refugees currently being evacuated by the U.S. Military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf) 
U.S. Air Force Airman from the 380th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron gather humanitarian relief supplies at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Aug 20, 2021. The 380th ECONS team generated the order of a humanitarian relief supplies that was purchased, palletized and ready to be sent within 36 hours to support qualified Afghan refugees currently being evacuated by the U.S. Military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf) 
U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, provide assistance at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint (ECC) during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla) 
210821-M-GQ845-1035 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 21, 2021) Evacuees load on to a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
210821-M-GQ845-1041 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 21, 2021) Evacuees load on to a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
210821-M-GQ845-1042 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 21, 2021) Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) guide evacuees on to a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
210821-M-GQ845-1043 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 21, 2021) A Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) provides assistance during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
210821-M-GQ845-1045 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 21, 2021) A child smiles as she awaits to board her flight during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
210821-M-GQ845-1048 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 21, 2021) A Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) calms an infant during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
210821-M-GQ845-1052 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 21, 2021) A Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) calms an infant during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
210821-M-GQ845-1059 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 21, 2021) A Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) opens a meal ready-to-eat for the children to eat during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
210821-M-GQ845-1060 HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Afghanistan (August 21, 2021) A Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) opens a meal ready-to-eat for the children to eat during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
Afghan passengers board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III during the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2021. 
Afghan passengers board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III during the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2021. 
A U.S. Air Force loadmaster, assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, readies a cargo bay for qualified evacuees aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of Operation Allies Refuge at an undisclosed location, Aug. 22, 2021. The Department of Defense is committed to supporting the U.S. State Department in the departure of U.S. and allied civilian personnel from Afghanistan and to evacuate Afghan allies to safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brennen Lege) 
U.S. Air Force aerial porters prepare to load cargo aboard a C-17 Globemaster III, deployed with the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, in support of Operation Allies Refuge at an undisclosed location, Aug. 22, 2021. The Department of Defense is committed to supporting the U.S. State Department in the departure of U.S. and allied civilian personnel from Afghanistan and to evacuate Afghan allies to safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brennen Lege) 
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, deployed with the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, prepares for landing in support of Operation Allies Refuge at an undisclosed location, Aug. 22, 2021. The Department of Defense is committed to supporting the U.S. State Department in the departure of U.S. and allied civilian personnel from Afghanistan and to evacuate Afghan allies to safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brennen Lege) 
A U.S. Air Force security forces raven, assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, maintains a cordon around a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of Operation Allies Refuge at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2021. The Department of Defense is committed to supporting the U.S. State Department in the departure of U.S. and allied civilian personnel from Afghanistan and to evacuate Afghan allies to safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brennen Lege) 
U.S. Air Force aerial porters unload pallets of water from a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of Operation Allies Refuge at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2021. The Department of Defense is committed to supporting the U.S. State Department in the departure of U.S. and allied civilian personnel from Afghanistan and to evacuate Afghan allies to safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brennen Lege) 
A U.S. Air Force security forces raven, assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, assists qualified evacuees boarding a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of Operation Allies Refuge at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2021. The Department of Defense is committed to supporting the U.S. State Department in the departure of U.S. and allied civilian personnel from Afghanistan and to evacuate Afghan allies to safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brennen Lege) 
A U.S. Air Force security forces raven, assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, maintains a cordon around a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of Operation Allies Refuge at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2021. The Department of Defense is committed to supporting the U.S. State Department in the departure of U.S. and allied civilian personnel from Afghanistan and to evacuate Afghan allies to safety. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brennen Lege) 
U.S. service members provide assistance during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 22. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla) 
U.S. Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) calms a crying toddler during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 22. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla) 
A U.S. Marine assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command hands a helmet to a child awaiting evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2021. The U.S. is assisting the Department of State with a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Melissa Marnell). 
A U.S. Marine assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command shows his video camera to children awaiting evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2021. The U.S. is assisting the Department of State with a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Melissa Marnell) 
Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit monitor the air traffic control center at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 22. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Davis Harris) 
A Marine assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit monitor the air traffic control center at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 22. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Davis Harris) 
A Corpsman assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary unit (MEU) and a Medic assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division assists an evacuee during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 22. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Isaiah Campbell) 
A Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) provides fresh water to a child during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 20. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
Families begin to board a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 23. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
Families begin to board a U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 23. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz). 
A Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) guides families during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 23. U.S. service members are assisting the Department of State with an orderly drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz).
You must be logged in to post a comment.