Indiana National Guard supports Department of Homeland Security in Operation Allies Welcome

Photo By Staff Sgt. Tackora Farrington | Reception building at Camp Atterbury in Indiana, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. Facilities at Camp Atterbury, near Edinburgh, will support Afghan evacuees as part of Operation Allies Welcome. Hoosiers will host the Afghans at Camp Atterbury as they begin their safe resettlement to the United States. (Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. Tackora Farrington, released)  

CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, UNITED STATES

10.27.2021

Courtesy Story

Indiana National Guard Headquarters

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. – Approximately 150 Indiana National Guard service members and employees continue to work at Camp Atterbury in support of Operation Allies Welcome, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security effort to support Afghans nationals. This initiative follows through on America’s commitment to our Afghan partners, and provides them essential support at secure locations, where they and their families can complete immigration processing safely.

Guardsmen are working in a variety of roles such as warehouse operations receiving mission critical items; administrative support; and facility maintenance for the active duty service members and federal employees who are managing Operation Allies Welcome at Camp Atterbury. State employees are working around the clock to ensure Camp Atterbury facilities and infrastructure are in good working order to provide the Afghans with a safe and comfortable place to stay.

"Camp Atterbury has spearheaded a whole of government effort that encompasses the best of our Hoosier values. Indiana National Guardsman in conjunction with state agencies and individual volunteers from all walks of life continue to perform beyond my expectations," said Col. Michael Grundman, Camp Atterbury commander. "They have truly put their heart and soul into supporting our Afghan guests as well as our active duty partners involved with Operation Allies Welcome."

The Indiana National Guard is also supporting the state’s initiative for Afghan donations. This includes nine armory locations for donation drop off, staffed by Guardsmen, to facilitate collection of donations and transportation to Camp Atterbury. The Indiana Guard Reserve, Indiana’s all-volunteer state defense force, has nearly 80 volunteers assisting with sorting, packaging, and distribution of donations.

Team Rubicon, a national organization that mobilizes veterans to help during humanitarian crisis, has coordinated donation efforts with the Indiana National Guard. For more information regarding donations, please reference the following release: Click here.

The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, in support Department of Homeland Security is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening and general support for Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities at installations across the U.S., in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. DHS maintains responsibility for the well-being and support for Afghan personnel.

For additional information regarding Operation Allies Welcome at Camp Atterbury, please direct all questions or requests to the following: [e-mail].

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• Date Taken: 10.27.2021
• Date Posted: 10.28.2021 07:58
• Story ID: 408144
• Location: CAMP ATTERBURY, IN, US