Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alexander Burnett | Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division carry bags of baby supplies to...... read more read more
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KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (Aug 26, 2021)– The world has seen the heart wrenching images coming out of Afghanistan as thousands of American citizens and Afghan evacuees depart the country.
As hundreds of Afghan families went through the passenger terminal at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division handed out bags with essential supplies to alleviate some of the burdens of making this journey for families’ with young children.
A sentiment that was shared by many Afghan families who left their homes behind was that they were unable to carry many items with them.
“I had to leave everything. I had to give rings and bracelets to make it through checkpoints - carrying Zaafira was more than enough for this journey. But I am happy, we are the lucky ones,” said an Afghan woman from Nangarhar Province named Kaatje.
These bags of supplies were purposely small enough to not reduce available space on aircrafts while still allowing for the family to have a bag of baby formula, diapers, bottles, juice, crackers, milk, and apple sauce. These packages were procured by the 82nd Airborne Division with the assistance of the 408th Contracting Support Battalion in support of Operation Allied Refuge to support displaced families.
“I continue to be impressed by the work of our Paratroopers, Marines, and the Minnesota Army National Guard who came together to package supplies, sharing a small act of kindness during this arduous time,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Heather Reilly, the Assistant Chief of Staff – Logistics, for the 82nd Airborne Division.
The complex combined joint operation has resulted with the safe evacuation of upward of 106,000 personnel, to include Afghans, Americans, and our allied partners, out of Kabul.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Pinkie Fischer, the 82nd Airborne Division Chaplain, shared “we can’t change the suffering that we see and what is going on here in Kabul, but we could make a difference by putting smiles on families’ faces. That is priceless.”
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 08.28.2021 17:41 |
| Story ID: | 404060 |
| Location: | KABUL PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 6,496 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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Kabul
82nd
Afghanistan
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