Warfare has evolved over time. However, the use of locals to help warring factions achieve their objectives has been around for a while. This became critical during the War in Afghanistan, as many Afghan civilians assisted the U.S. military. This is particularly true when it came to communication efforts. Operation Allies Refuge would end up being the largest non-combatant evacuation airlift America has ever done. We conducted the operation as a way to help those at risk of retaliation now that the Taliban is controlling Afghanistan, find a safe route outside of the nation. But just because you have a Operation Allies Refuge patch, doesn’t mean you’ve been given proper recognition. There is a call to reassess the Operation Allies Refuge awards to more properly honor our nation’s heroes for their efforts.Suggested read: Army Robots Could Create a Next-Level Futuristic Military

What Is Operation Allies Refuge?

Operation Allies Refuge was a U.S. evacuation mission during the 2021 Taliban offensive in Afghanistan, relocating at-risk Afghan civilians, embassy personnel, and U.S. Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants. The operation involved airlifting SIV applicants to the U.S. for temporary housing while completing visa requirements. It began in July 2021, with the U.S. House passing the Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs (ALLIES) Act in support. In August 2021, U.S. troops were deployed to assist evacuations, and personnel and materials were relocated. Multiple international sites, including those in Germany, Italy, Kosovo, and Spain, played roles in the mission. Toward the end of that month, President Biden directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to lead Operation Allies Welcome, as an extension of Allies Refuge. The civilian-led mission was connected, yet instead of providing airlifts, it was overseeing that refugees were resettled once they arrived in the U.S. with adequate housing, food, and support. Furthermore, there were still actions ongoing in Afghanistan as around 100 Americans were still in the country. Working with the Taliban, the U.S. was able to evacuate more citizens safely in September 2021.

A Lack of Resources and Unfavorable Odds

Once the Taliban took Kabul, conditions in the country were beginning to deteriorate. This meant that not only were Americans at risk of being harmed, but so too were Afghan citizens who assisted during the war. You can’t conduct the largest airlift in your country’s history and expect it to be perfect. Particularly when it has been reported that the DHS didn’t deploy enough resources to military installations in support of the effort, and when you have a nation facing several forms of infighting. Nevertheless, despite these conditions, 123,000 were evacuated from a potentially dangerous situation with fewer than 200 killed in doing so. This is why some who served are capable of earning the Armed Forces Service Medal Operation Allies Refuge service members may qualify for. However, qualifying for a potential Operation Allies Refuge ribbon or other award may be difficult. There was a lot of overlap between units and qualifications can be muddy. This is why there is a call for the Presidential Unit Citation to be awarded to many units involved. Related read: Save Our Allies Is Continuing Its Mission in Israel and Gaza

A Push for Better Recognition for Those Serving During Operation Allies Refuge

Four-Star General and the Head of Air Mobility Command, Gen. Mike Minihan, is planning to nominate Air Force units and service members who took part in Operation Allies Refuge. He is addressing concerns over their exclusion from the Presidential Unit Citation. Gen. Minihan acknowledged challenges in understanding command relationships but expressed a desire for more recognition than was initially given. While thousands of medals have been approved for Airmen involved in the evacuation, they fell under different chains of command, making them ineligible for certain awards. Minihan intends to advocate for change and promote Airmen for higher government honors like the Presidential Unit Citation to better showcase appreciation for their efforts. Even as some may be eligible for the Humanitarian Service Medal Operation Allies Refuge on an individual basis. However, bureaucracy hasn’t been friendly to the process. Nominations for some didn’t even come up until a year later. Furthermore, job titles for Airmen have inexplicably not allowed for them to be nominated at all. Some troops have received awards, others are still in the process, and others still remain in limbo. Hopefully, the renewed voices concerning Operation Allies Refuge, and the awards given, will shine a light on the heroism these individuals and units provided to save those who helped us navigate war in a foreign land. In the latest round of awards, the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command approved the following awards:

• 12 distinguished Flying Crosses
• 4 Bronze Star Medals
• 208 Air Medals
• 73 Meritorious Service Medals

These are the latest awards for personnel who took part in Operation Allies Welcome and Operation Allies Refuge, which were part of the largest military evacuation since the Vietnam War.Read next: Fat Leonard Update: $35 Million Navy Scandal Fugitive Is Back Stateside