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FORT BLISS, TEXAS – On Thursday, 30 December, the last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at “Doña Ana Village” in the Fort Bliss Training Area, departed the installation. The Village is the third of eight Department of Defense (DoD) installations supporting the resettlement of Afghan nationals, also known as “safe havens,” to complete their support of Operation Allies Welcome. Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division have supported Operation Allies Welcome since August 13 as part of the interagency team led by the Department of Homeland Security.
Upon notification from U.S. Northern Command, Fort Bliss established “Doña Ana Village,” originally a training camp used by Soldiers, and in a matter of weeks built a support capacity for 10,000 relocated Afghans. On 21 August, the first group of relocated Afghans arrived at Biggs Army Airfield. For more than four months, federal agency employees, military service members, and volunteers provided exceptional care and support to approximately 11,400 total Afghans as they awaited resettlement across the country.
“We truly appreciated the outpouring of donations and voluntary efforts from the El Paso and local New Mexico communities,” said Maj. Gen. Sean C. Bernabe, Commanding General of Fort Bliss. “This mission was truly a team effort that enabled over 11,000 Afghans to start a new chapter for themselves and their families in the United States.”
In late November, Task Force Bliss began simultaneously consolidating living accommodations and support services while closing portions of Doña Ana Village. Even while reducing the size of the village, the interagency task force focused heavily on the safety, security, and quality of life for the Afghan guests. Now that the final relocated Afghans have departed Fort Bliss, Doña Ana Training Complex will return to its original size and purpose.
The Department of Defense continues its temporary support enabling the Department of State and interagency efforts to resettle Afghans across the United States as part of its support to the Department of Homeland Security-led Operation Allies Welcome. For information related to completion of DoD support to Operation Allies Welcome at Fort Bliss, please contact the DHS Public Affairs
| Date Taken: | 12.31.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 01.03.2022 14:23 |
| Story ID: | 412371 |
| Location: | DOñA ANA, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 202 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Team Bliss completes Operation Allies Welcome mission, by LTC Allie Scott, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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