Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III briefs the press from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Washington, D.C., Feb. 19, 2021. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders).
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON DC – The Pentagon’s top military officials said Wednesday the U.S. Department of Defense remains focus on evacuating all American citizens from Afghanistan who desire to leave the country amid the Taliban’s takeover. The Pentagon also said the U.S. military will do everything it can to evacuate allies and Afghans who have worked closely with American troops.
“Let me start by saying that we remain laser-focused right now on Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. And on doing everything that we can to continue evacuating Americans, allies, Afghans who have worked alongside us and — and also other courageous Afghans at special risk. “
-Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said during a Pentagon news conference.
Pentagon Also Focused on Maintaining Security at Kabul International Airport
The secretary of Defense and Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefed the media on operations in Afghanistan as American service members work to evacuate Americans, allies, Afghans who served with coalition forces and Afghans at special risk from the Taliban. Defense Secretary Austin added: “My second focus is maintaining security at the airport itself. In concert with forces from our allies, our troops have set up defensive’s positions around the airport. And the airport is able to function safely.”
Defense Secretary Austin said the situation in Afghanistan is personal for him.
“This is very personal for me. This is a war that I fought in and led. I know the country, I know the people, and I know those who fought alongside me. And as I said, we have — we have a moral obligation to help those who helped us. And I feel the urgency deeply.”
Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefs the media on Afghanistan, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Aug. 18, 2021. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)
Army Gen. Mark Milley reiterated the U.S. military is focused on the specific mission of conducting a non-combatant evacuation operation from Afghanistan.
U.S. Has Already Evacuated Approximately 5,000 People
“This is likely to be probably the second-largest NEO conducted by the United States. Our key tasks are to establish and maintain security at the Kabul International Airport. Defend the airport from attack. Evacuate all American citizens from Afghanistan who desire to leave this country. Evacuate any third country national, or allies and partners as designated by the secretary of state. Evacuate personnel with State Department-designated Special Immigrant Visas. And evacuate any other evacuees that the State Department designates.”
–Army Gen. Mark Milley
“Today, the situation is still very dangerous, very dynamic and very fluid,” Milley added. “This force (U.S. airpower) is capable of extracting a significant amount of people,” the chairman said. “Right now we’re averaging about 20 sorties of C-17, every 24 hours. We have the capability to significantly increase that throughput, as the Department of State makes evacuees available.”
