The Independent View: Operation Allies Refuge Will Fly Interpreters Out Of Afghanistan

The White House, on July 14th, announced Operation Allies Refuge, an effort to Fly Interpreters, who helped the U.S. Military, in Afghanistan, Out-of-the-Country.

The Operation is beginning, as the Taliban makes Major Gains in the Country, now that the U.S. has Withdrawn about 95% of Personnel and Equipment.

White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, said the Interpreters, and Others, who helped the U.S., are “courageous individuals” who have Proven their Value.

Defense Department Spokesman John F. Kirby, in a Separate Briefing, said the Pentagon has Not been asked to Provide Military Transportation for the Personnel.

This indicates, its likely Chartered Flights, will be used, to Fly them out of Afghanistan.

The Pentagon’s Role, in the Operation, is to identify Locations, including Military Installations, that could be used as Temporarily Housing the Afghan Individuals and their Families, as they Await their Special Immigrant Visas to come to the U.S.

“We have identified some as potential candidates,” Kirby said. “We have not made final decisions on them. … Some are not U.S. installations and therefore would require, if they’re in foreign countries, those host nations to agree. And so, we’re just not at that final stage.”

The Pentagon has an “Action Group” embedded in the State Department, to help Identify Afghan Individuals who may, Not be in the Special Immigrant Visa Program, but should be in it, Kirby said.

President Biden previewed the Effort during a White House Address last week, telling those who Helped Americans, “There is a home for you in the United States if you so choose. We will stand with you, just as you stood with us.”