The Pentagon is reportedly seeking help from major U.S. commercial airlines in the Afghanistan Biden administration’s evacuation effort, with thousands of U.S. citizens and Afghan allies still waiting to board. -se in Kabul.
Department of Defense officials told the New York Times that the U.S. could soon activate the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), created in 1952 after the Berlin Air Bridge.
According to the program, up to five airlines would provide a total of about 20 commercial aircraft to increase evacuations, as the Biden administration struggles to meet the demand of many people desperate to leave after the Taliban’s acquisition, according to reported The Wall Street Journal, which cites information from U.S. officials.
Commercial aircraft would add to the more than 150 military cargo planes currently used by the Biden administration, which is facing growing pressure to quickly evacuate the remaining U.S. and Afghan allies amid reports of growing security threats. .
The Times reported that, unlike U.S. military aircraft, commercial airlines would not fly to or from Kabul, but would help transport Afghan refugees who have traveled to U.S. bases in surrounding countries, including Qatar. Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
Captain John Perkins, a spokesman for the U.S. Transportation Command, told the Times that on Friday evening a warning was issued to major airlines that some of their planes may be needed.
The Times noted that the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
Lloyd AustinUS military faces growing calls to do more to evacuate Afghanistan Biden officials offer lawmakers details on challenges to Afghan evacuation efforts Photos of the week: Afghanistan, earthquake in Haiti and Iowa State Fair MORE should officially approve the plan.
The Hill has contacted the Department of Defense to comment.
The State Department referred questions about the plans reported to the White House, which did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.
The Pentagon said Saturday that the USA had evacuated about 17,000 people from Afghanistan over the past week, with a total of 22,000 transported out of the country since late July.
U.S. officials have shared cases of violence and harassment against Americans and Afghan civilians trying to travel to Kabul airport. The violence has prompted the U.S. embassy to issue a warning to inform people not to go to the airport until U.S. officials tell them to do so.
Several reports on Saturday also noted that the U.S. military has been forced to look for alternative routes to Kabul airport. amid ISIS-K threats directed at the Americans, as well as the Afghan allies who provided aid to the U.S. military.