NJ Military Base Set To Temporarily House Afghan Refugees

JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ — Refugees being evacuated from Afghanistan as the United States withdraws its military presence will be temporarily housed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, federal officials said Monday.

"The @DeptofDefense recently approved a request for assistance from @StateDept to provide temporary housing, sustainment, and support inside the U.S for specified Afghan special immigrant visa applicants and their families, and other vulnerable Afghans, @jointbasemdl, N.J.," the U.S. Northern Command, which plans, organizes and executes homeland defense and civil support missions; it includes representatives of every military branch.

The effort is part of Operation Allies Refuge, which was announced in mid-July, to support relocations of interested and eligible Afghan nationals and their immediate families who supported the U.S. Government, a news release on the effort said.

"This initiative follows through on America’s commitment to Afghan citizens who have helped the United States and provides them essential support at secure locations, where they can complete the (special immigrant visa) process safely," officials said.

"We will welcome Afghan refugees with open arms here in New Jersey at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst," Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted on Monday. "Our state has always served as a shining beacon of hope to the world, and we will do everything in our power to help these refugees rebuild their lives."

Afghan refugees currently are being held at U.S. bases in Germany, Bahrain and Qatar, the Wall Street Journal reported. The Biden administration has activated the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, which calls on commercial airlines to assist the government — in this case to help move refugees to the United States from the bases.

Each airline is contractually committed to the reserve fleet, which is called into service when the military's aircraft needs exceed their resources. In return, the participating carriers are given preference in carrying commercial peacetime cargo and passenger traffic for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Newark-based United Airlines is part of that effort. Read more: United Airlines Is Helping To Evacuate People From Afghanistan

Murphy said the Joint Base is expected to start receiving refugees shortly.

"We are going to be getting imminently Afghan refugees that will be cycled through Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia and then up to the Joint Base," Murphy said during his coronavirus briefing Monday. "We’re honored to do our part."

"I wrote a letter to the president yesterday that whatever we can do, we want to be here and do the right thing," Murphy said. "It’s not just for these refugees but I think it’s also a statement about our blessed veterans who fought in this war and these folks fought alongside them in many cases."

Officials at the Joint Base, who said preparations are underway, issued a statement on the base's Facebook page saying the refugees would begin arriving "over the upcoming days."

"Our installation has been selected to support Task Force MDL. The Task Force will provide housing, medical, logistics, and transportation support for vulnerable Afghans," the statement said.

"The security of our community, including our guests, remains the number one priority, and we are taking the appropriate measures to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy," the statement said.

Joint Base officials said they will send out information on where and how people can provide donations or support for the refugees "once we’ve identified the proper avenues with the appropriate aid agencies."

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