DoD Support to Operation Allies Welcome
On August 29, 2021, President Biden directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to lead and coordinate efforts across the federal government in support of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW). OAW assisted vulnerable Afghan nationals, to include those who worked alongside the United States in Afghanistan for the past two decades, as they safely resettled in the United States (DHS.gov/AlliesWelcome). 

The Department of Defense (DoD), through U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), provided temporary housing, sustainment and support inside the United States to Afghans on eight DoD installations: Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia; Fort Pickett, Virginia; Fort Lee, Virginia; Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Fort Bliss, Texas; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey; and Camp Atterbury, Indiana. For nearly six months, these installations hosted 72,600 Afghans prior to their resettlement throughout the United States. The final Afghans were resettled from the last open installation at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on February 19, 2022.

Link to photos from Operation Allies Welcome

Timeline for departure of last Afghan Nationals from U.S. military bases. 

February 19, 2022 - Departure of last Afghan Nationals from all U.S. military bases

February 15, 2022 - Departure of last Afghan Nationals from Fort McCoy

February 2, 2022 - Departure of last Afghan Nationals from Fort Pickett

January 26, 2022 - Departure of last Afghan Nationals from Camp Atterbury

January 26, 2022 - Departure of last Afghan Nationals from Holloman Air Force Base

December 31, 2022 - Departure of last Afghan Nationals from Fort Bliss

December 23, 2022 - Departure of last Afghan Nationals from Quantico

November 17, 2022 - Departure of last Afghan Nationals from Fort Lee

Assisting Resettled Afghans

Refugee resettlement would not be possible without the support of state and local governments, our resettlement partners and affiliates, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, advocacy groups, and volunteers.

Tens of thousands of people in local communities across the United States ensure the success of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) by welcoming and helping integrate refugees from around the world. Those with an interest in assisting resettled Afghans and refugees are encouraged to reach out to their local refugee resettlement agency for information about support opportunities within their community.

A list of resettlement agencies and affiliate contacts can be found at http://www.wrapsnet.org.