RI National Guard Helping Bring 50K Afghan Refugees To U.S.

EAST GREENWICH, RI — The Rhode Island Air National Guard are participating in a mission to help more than 50,000 Afghan refugees escape the Taliban.

The guard's C-130J plane and two crews left Wednesday and will assist the Department of Homeland Security's Operation Allies Welcome, which is expected to move refugees from Afghanistan to the United States. Guard officials said the crews will help evacuees reach Washington-Dulles or Philadelphia International Airports, before sending them to other locations throughout the country.

"I am proud of our Rhode Island National Guard men and women who stepped up and volunteered to assist those Afghan personnel being evacuated from overseas," Gov. Dan McKee said in a statement Thursday. "Their volunteerism and eagerness to be a part of a solution is consistent with everything I know about the National Guard, and exemplifies the best of what Rhode Island has to offer."

The aircraft and crew will be under the command and control of the 618th Air Operations Center in support of U.S. Northern Command for the duration of the mission.

The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, is providing temporary housing and support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at several military bases within the U.S.