Austin awards military units involved in Afghanistan evacuation.
The U.S. Military Units Honored for Heroic Evacuation Efforts in Afghanistan
The U.S. military units involved in the evacuation of Afghanistan two years ago have been recognized for their extraordinary work under life-threatening conditions. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Thursday that the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, and Joint Task Force 82 of the 82nd Airborne Division and its supporting units have been approved for the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation.
The U.S. military initiated a noncombatant evacuation operation in mid-August 2021 following the Taliban’s overthrow of the U.S.-backed Ghani government and the U.S.-trained Afghan army. For two weeks, thousands of Afghans, fearing life under the new Taliban regime, flocked to the gates of the Kabul airport every day, hoping to secure a spot on the evacuation flights.
Recognition of Heroic Actions
“The Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division and Joint Task Force 82 (JTF-82) demonstrated heroic discipline and courage during the execution of the non-combatant evacuation operations in support of Operation Allies Refuge at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan,” Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said in a statement. “The bravery of the Soldiers on the ground and the dedication of those who supported every evacuation flight exemplify the ideals of service with honor and compassion. Until the last aircraft departed, the 82nd Airborne Division and members of JTF-82 held the line and provided the safe passage needed to evacuate over 100,000 U.S. citizens, Afghan civilians, and family members.”
Despite the grave threat of a terror attack, the U.S. military successfully evacuated over 120,000 civilians in August 2021. Tragically, on August 26, an ISIS-K terrorist carried out a suicide bombing, resulting in the deaths of thirteen U.S. service members, numerous injuries, and the loss of approximately 170 Afghan civilians.
Unparalleled Courage and Bravery
“The courage and bravery shown by the Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command and Sailors while executing the largest noncombatant evacuation operation ever completed is unparalleled,” Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said in a statement. “These service members worked tirelessly to assist U.S. citizens, U.S. government officials, and thousands of desperate Afghan civilians trying to flee their country.”
Recently, Gold Star parents of the fallen service members gathered on Capitol Hill to participate in a roundtable event led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul. These parents expressed their anger towards military leadership and the executive branch, including President Joe Biden, for what they perceive as a lack of transparency and accountability.
Seeking Answers and Accountability
“Two years have gone by and where are we? To be frank, we’re knee-deep in bulls*** is where we are,” Mark Schmitz, the father of fallen Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, said during the event. “Everyone who held a key position in the military still has that position or has been promoted.”
Greg Page, the father of Marine Cpl. Daegan W. Page, echoed this sentiment, stating, ”We’ve been lied to about what happened that day, as well as what happened to our children. We’ve been lied to about our relationship with the Taliban, which, by the way, have done more to take out the leaders of this attack than our own leadership has.”
Over the past two years, various service members have received awards for their actions in concluding the war in Afghanistan. The Presidential Unit Citation, the highest honor a military unit can receive, has been bestowed upon troops involved in historic events such as the D-Day invasion, the mission to eliminate Osama Bin Laden, and the Coast Guard’s response to Hurricane Katrina.
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