An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Fort Lee Supports Afghan Relocation

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

Task Force Eagle at Fort Lee, Virginia, is supporting the mission of relocating up to 3,500 Afghan special immigrant applicants in support of the State Department and as directed by the Defense Department.

Army Col. Karin L. Watson, Fort Lee's garrison commander, said the installation received notification of its role in support of Operation Allies Refuge on July 15. The operation supports the relocation of interested and eligible Afghans and families who have supported the U.S. government and are close to finishing the process of applying for special immigrant visas, according to the State Department.

Six soldiers stand on a grassy area near a parking lot in front of a hotel.
Outdoor Briefing
Army Gen. Edward Daly, commander of Army Materiel Command, is briefed on Operation Allies Refuge by Army Maj. Gen. Mark Simerly, commander of Combined Arms Support Command.
Credit: Army 1st Lt. Tom Burcham IV
VIRIN: 210724-A-D0439-001

The task force is charged with providing temporary housing, medical screening, food, religious support and other necessities to Afghan special immigrant applicants.

The first group of about 200 Afghans arrived at Fort Lee on July 30. They are finishing the remaining steps on their path to becoming permanent U.S. residents.

"Fort Lee remains eager and committed to doing all it can to support the U.S. government's efforts to help those who have helped us for many years," said Army Maj. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, commanding general of the Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee.

"We were able to accelerate the planning and preparation for this mission thanks to the responsiveness of the entire military enterprise," Simerly said. "We are thankful for their support and are proud to support this valuable mission."

Several buses line up near large temporary structures.
Bus Transport
Buses transport Afghan special immigrant applicants from Dulles International Airport to the Holiday Inn Express hotel in support of Operation Allies Refuge at Fort Lee, Va., July 30, 2021.
Credit: Army Spc. Christopher Rodrigo
VIRIN: 210730-A-CR011-1003

Watson acknowledged the "all-hands effort" of her staff and installation tenant agencies. She said the installation has received tremendous support from the privatized Army lodging facility; Logistic Readiness Center - Lee; the Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command; the Army & Air Force Exchange Service; and others.

"While most of these individuals will only be at Fort Lee for a short time, we want that experience to be welcoming and respectful," Watson said. The base has taken into consideration their religious and cultural needs, for example the provision of halal food permitted by Islam."

In all we do, we will demonstrate our commitment to our Afghan partners and their families who have sacrificed in pursuit of mutual security objectives.''
Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, Commander, U.S. Northern Command

The commanders further emphasized that Operation Allies Refuge will not interrupt the installation's primary training mission. Fort Lee is the home of the Army's ordnance, quartermaster and transportation schools and the Army Logistics University.

"Our commanders and staff are working hard to ensure there is minimal disruption to the people who live and work on Fort Lee, and they're closely coordinating our actions with the surrounding communities," Simerly said. He also noted that those within the community have expressed strong support for the mission.

Vehicles are parked in front of a large building.
Fort Lee
Clouds flow over the Holiday Inn Express on Fort Lee, Va., July 24, 2021. The Defense Department, in support of the State Department, is providing transportation and temporary housing for Afghan special immigrant applicants relocating to the United States in the final steps of the immigration process.
Credit: Army 1st Lt. Tom Burcham IV
VIRIN: 210724-A-D0439-002A

The Operation Allies Refuge effort is led by the State Department, which has asked the DOD for support. Within the DOD, U.S. Northern Command is the lead on providing that support.

"U.S. Northern Command, in support of [the] Department of State, is honored to lead the Department of Defense efforts to this critical mission," said Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, Northcom commander. "In all we do, we will demonstrate our commitment to our Afghan partners and their families who have sacrificed in pursuit of mutual security objectives."

Fort Lee was chosen by the DOD to participate in Operation Allies Refuge because it meets the State and Defense Department criteria for a secure location with the capacity to house and provide essential services to the Afghan special immigrant applicants.

Fort Lee's proximity on the East Coast allows shorter travel from overseas locations and has the capability for quick utilization as a temporary host installation for Afghan special immigrant applicants.

*Note: This article has been adapted from the original article published on army.mil. Additional information provided by U.S. Northern Command has been added to this release. To read the original article, please click here.

Related Stories