U.S. Marine Corps and Army veterans are currently racing against the clock to evacuate Afghan allies from Kabul as the August 31 deadline for a full American military withdrawal rapidly approaches.
"Task Force Dunkirk sprung up about a week ago," retired Marine Raider Worth Parker said. The group of volunteers has quickly grown and allied itself with another group called Team America, combining the older Marine's Rolodex with the younger Marine's digital know-how to put together the initial effort to help evacuate former interpreters from Afghanistan to the United States.
According to Parker, he is using his contacts in the Marine Corps to call Kabul and talk to the Marines currently running security and evacuations at the airfield.
"I've spent 27 years as a United States Marine and I've never been prouder of Marines than I have been of Marines this week," Parker said referring to the on-the-ground Marines' willingness to help as many people as possible. "That's an incredible testament to the American service member."
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In this case, informal networks among current and former Marines are helping the active duty service members in Kabul identify former interpreters, get them through the gate, and safely onto airplanes.
Their effort has been paying dividends, but everyone involved is a volunteer, many have taken off time from work, and are exhausted. Currently, they are seeking more volunteers and ask that those interested email them at teamamericavolmelissa@gmail.com. For those who need evacuation from Kabul, they ask that they email them at teamamericaafghanevac@gmail.com.
The Afghans need all the help they can get and thankfully there are other groups involved in the effort as well. Retired Army Colonel Mike Jason is a part of a group called Allied Airlift composed of over 100 volunteers. Together, they have composed a database of vetted Afghans who have worked with the United States government throughout the conflict.
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They are also asking those who need evacuation to enter their information at www.alliedairlift21.org with an aim to fast-track the visa process, get them onto the airfield, and evacuated from the country. They know they are in a race against the clock and volunteers are running on fumes. "We are trying to do a digital Schindler's List for Afghanistan," Jason explained.
Jason is now trying to get the attention of the Defense and State Department to officially integrate the list of Afghan nationals that they have compiled to aid in the evacuation effort. A lot of the hard work has already been done Jason says, he just needs to U.S. government to look at it.
"It is the digital promise to these people that someone remembers them and is going to get them out," Jason said.
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Reach Jack Murphy: jack@connectingvets.com or @JackMurphyRGR.
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