The Pentagon is racing the clock to rescue as many Afghans from harm's way as possible. Ramstein in Germany is their first stop.
But temporary lodging, medical and logistical support at-risk Afghans at Ramstein Air Base. About 7,500 had arrived so far as of August 25, according to U.S. European Command.
Afghan evacuees await processing after their arrival at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Thousands are still desperate to flee Taliban rule of their country, and American servicemen and women are rolling out the red carpet.Operation Allies Refuge, as the quickly assembled plan is called, uses cavernous airplane hangars for lodging space, along with large tents that can hold more than 40 beds apiece.
A group of Afghan children color pictures at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Aug. 21, 2021. Refugees pouring into Ramstein will all end up someplace else, and the U.S. government has agreed to send every refugee onward within 10 days of arrival.U.S. European Command said Monday that a pregnant woman went into labor aboard one rescue flight. The pilot descended to a lower altitude to help stabilize the woman's blood pressure, the command said, and safely landed.
The Taliban, a faction of Afghan Islamic fighters, surprised the Biden administration by taking control of their country just days after the U.S. followed through on President Joseph R. Biden's promise to withdraw American troops.