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With Afghanistan Evacuation, It's Lives Over Equipment ... Period, DOD Spokesman Says

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The U.S. military is planning to leave Afghanistan by August 31. The plan for that departure includes not just U.S. service members, but also some of the important military equipment still in the country.

But, right now, the Defense Department is busy getting American citizens, Afghans with special immigrant visa applications in process, and other vulnerable Afghans out of the country. And that will continue to be the No. 1 priority right up until the very end, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said.

Hundreds of people sit on the floor inside a cargo aircraft. A lone U.S. service member watches over them.
Full Flight
Air Force loadmasters and pilots assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron assist passengers as they board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2021.
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen
VIRIN: 210824-F-BU402-1153

"Lives are always going to be the priority ... period," Kirby told reporters at a press conference today at the Pentagon. "As we get closer to the end, there will be some equipment and systems that we will probably take with us as we leave ... but lives will always be the chief priority throughout this entire process."

In the past 24 hours, 90 flights left Hamid Karzai International Airport carrying about 19,000 people, Army Maj. Gen. William D. "Hank" Taylor, the Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations, said.

Of those flights, around half were U.S. military aircraft, including 37 C-17 Globemaster III missions and five C-130 Hercules missions. Other U.S. aircraft carried about 11,200 passengers.

A robed woman carries a child up the ramp of a military aircraft.
Evacuation Support
Air Force loadmasters and pilots assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, assist passengers as they board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2021.
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen
VIRIN: 210824-F-BU402-0983
A woman and several children walk up the ramp of a military aircraft.
Boarding Group
Air Force loadmasters and pilots assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron help passengers board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III in support of the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 24, 2021.
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen
VIRIN: 210824-F-BU402-1072

"These numbers are a testament to the hard-working and brave service members, carrying out this mission," he said. "Our focus is continuing to get as many people out as efficiently and safely as possible."

As of Wednesday morning, Taylor said, there were 10,000 individuals waiting at Hamid Karzai International Airport to leave the country.

To date, about 88,000 have safely departed Afghanistan, and some have already made their way to the United States. Yesterday, five flights carrying 1,200 passengers landed at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Today, six flights carrying 1,800 Afghans will leave Germany for the United States, Taylor said.

A soldier crouches on the ground and inspects the contents of a bag. A small girl and her mother watch.
Evacuation Facilitation
Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, facilitate the safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, special immigrant visa applicants, and other at-risk Afghans out of Afghanistan from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug 22, 2021.
Photo By: U.S. Central Command, Army
VIRIN: 210822-A-AB999-006

"As part of this process, these individuals completed biometric vetting and screening in accordance with the FBI, NCTC and Customs and Border Control standards, all directed by the Department of Homeland Security," Taylor said. "We are working around the clock to provide safe, sanitary and appropriate receptions at processing at all of our locations throughout the world."

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