The heart of Operation Allies Welcome

Photo By Sgt. David Cordova | 1st Lt. Justin Graubics assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, assists an Afghan evacuee fill out a resource card identifying personal needs at Fort Bliss’ Doña Ana Complex in New Mexico, Sept. 6, 2021. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. David Cordova, 24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element)  

NM, UNITED STATES

09.06.2021

Story by Spc. David Cordova 

Operation Allies Welcome - Operation Allies Refuge   

FORT BLISS, Texas - As Operation Allies Welcome is in full swing, thousands of Afghan evacuees are temporarily housed, given medical assistance and provided general support at Fort Bliss’ Doña Ana Complex in New Mexico. As they adjust to life beyond what they once knew, soldiers assist in their transition.

That’s where the mayor cell comes in. 1st Lt. Justin Graubics assigned to the, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, who works as the day shift officer in charge, says the mayor cell is where Afghan evacuees can come for most of their needs.

“The mayor cell is where our guests can bring any complaints, requests, questions, and report any crimes,” Graubics said. “We also assist with work orders and facilitate visitors.”

The mayor cell also works with nongovernmental organizations at the Doña Ana Complex to coordinate services for Afghan evacuees. Graubics says they’re currently working with the American Red Cross to streamline their operations.

“We’ve been collecting the Red Cross resource cards. The guests fill out what they need, such as clothes and toiletries, and they get collected by command teams and brought to us,” Graubics stated. “Then I organize them so the Red Cross can go through and fill the bags and drop them off building by building and tent by tent.”

Graubics says that he and his team also assist in lost personnel being reunited with their families. Whenever someone is reported missing, the mayor cell acts quickly. His team alerts their chain of command and all organizations at the Doña Ana Complex to be on alert. He stresses that lost personnel cases are very important and rapid response to these incidents are a priority.

While Afghan evacuees stay at the Doña Ana Complex, family and friends are more than welcome to visit them. The mayor cell coordinates transportation for the evacuees to get to the visitation area to spend time with their visitors. Staff Sgt. Cameron Edwards, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, says the Afghan evacuees usually spend about 30 minutes with their visitors.

“A lot of people have actually had relatives or friends of relatives come out,” Edwards said. “Visits last roughly 20 to 30 minutes. They say hi, talk a little bit and then go.”

Edwards says that although he’s busy, he likes to take time to help the Afghan evacuees to better understand American culture to help them with their transition.

• Date Taken: 09.06.2021
• Date Posted: 09.07.2021 15:45
• Story ID: 404586
• Location: NM, US