From its base in the Middle East, deployed UK forces have been working alongside their US allies to provide vital welfare for the recent evacuees from Kabul.
During the extraction of over 100,000 people from Afghanistan some 15,000 evacuees from a variety of nations were accommodated since 18th August at the airbase. Since then a combination of 83 Expeditionary Air Group, 901 Expeditionary Air Wing and the Joint Force Communication & Information Systems have risen to the challenge of the unprecedented scale and emergency of the evacuation operation.
"The atmosphere of the camp completely changed as soon as the evacuees arrived. Despite working long hours as the Air Component in helping deliver Operation PITTING everyone immediately and enthusiastically focussed on doing their very best to help them. All ranks and specialisations have been involved in work they wouldn’t normally be involved in so that they could help the evacuees and prepare them for onward travel from the airbase."
Flight Lieutenant Randall
901 Expeditionary Air Wing
To help the evacuees the detachment immediately began raising money with donations from a combination of the airbase and friends and service personnel at home the team very quickly accrued a total of over £3400. The money raised was spent on first aid supplies, clothing, shoes, toiletries and phone chargers. Noting the large number of children among the evacuees, a lot of money was also spent on toys, footballs, colouring books and sweets.
"It’s been a very hectic time for everyone involved but we have all kept grafting around the clock, responding to the various challenges of Operation PITTING and have been motivated by the common goal of getting evacuees to safety and being part of their journey towards a better life. There was a resounding consensus that we must do whatever we could to help; none of us could even begin to imagine what it must be like to suddenly be forced out of your home and travel in to the unknown with nothing but the clothes you are wearing."
Flight Lieutenant Randall
901 Expeditionary Air Wing
"Once we had made the purchases we delivered them ourselves. The families and kids loved it and the way their faces lit up was absolutely priceless. It was both a heart-breaking and heart-warming experience at the same time, knowing where they had come from but also being able to do a little something to put smiles back on their faces."
Flight Lieutenant Randall
901 Expeditionary Air Wing
Working with their US allies, the team quickly overcame the challenge posed by a large and sudden influx of evacuees. Beyond the essentials of food, water and sanitation the team also began assessing other needs. Noting how important communication to loved ones all over the World is, members of the tri-service Joint Force Communication & Information Systems set up a phone charging tent, where evacuees could leave their phone to charge.
"We have really enjoyed talking to the Afghans and learning about them. One example was when I gave a little girl some hair accessories and a skipping rope; her Dad came up to me to say thank you and was really grateful. We got chatting and he told me he had been working in the US Embassy since 2019 and was on holiday visiting family when the Taliban came. He will be going back to the US to live in Massachusetts."
Flight Lieutenant Randall
901 Expeditionary Air Wing
As well as fundraising, the UK personnel from across the airbase have provided cover all day and into the evenings where the evacuees were housed. Not only were they helping to help sort and distribute donations, but they also worked to ensure the environment was kept as clean and tidy as possible. Likewise, the 24/7 presence has helped the evacuees with anything they needed.
"I couldn’t be more proud of my team that has worked with the greatest urgency to deliver the RAF’s largest humanitarian effort since the Berlin airlift of 1948/49. The tremendous speed and scale of the operation have made the temporary conditions here difficult for everyone, but I am delighted by how my team has risen to the challenge and made a real difference to people when they needed it most."
Air Commodore Simon Strasdin
Air Officer Commanding 83 Expeditionary Air Group
