This month, the LeMay Center highlights the 86th Airlift Wing’s (AW’s) planning for Operation ALLIES REFUGE at Ramstein Airbase (AB), Germany.
In the summer of 2021, the US executed immediate crisis operations in response to Afghanistan’s deteriorating security environment. On short notice, the US Air Force began flying Special Immigrant Visa and other vulnerable Afghans from Kabul to US bases in Qatar and Kuwait at a rate of thousands per day. However, these bases quickly reached their maximum operating capacity to safely support evacuees. With little time to plan or prepare, the 86 AW at Ramstein AB swiftly cleared out hangars and postured supplies to accept over 1,000 passengers a day.
Ramstein’s planning efforts quickly expanded when leaders recognized it would become a primary evacuation hub for US European Command—a designation that tripled Ramstein’s humanitarian requirements in less than two weeks during a global pandemic. Support tasks required additional medical, logistics, maintenance, civil engineering, security, and food services to provide facilities and necessities for thousands of travelers. The AB quickly adjusted non-essential services and sought assistance from other Services, US Government agencies, and partner nations. Through planning and collaboration, Ramstein adapted capabilities for staging tens of thousands of people for outflow to the US.
The operation’s surge in scope and tempo required several course of action (COA) adjustments throughout planning process. Commander-selected COAs were developed into an approved plan that was shared with multiple organizations and partners. The successful planning efforts resulted in a historic evacuation operation that ensured the accommodation, security, and safety of over 35,000 Afghans.
Why it matters today: The crisis plan developed at Ramstein AB permitted a shared understanding of the mission, intent, tasks, logistics, and authorities required to successfully carry out the operation. The 86 AW demonstrated the adaptability and collaborative crisis planning required to execute Operation ALLIES REFUGE. For information on the Air Force Planning Process, please see the newly released Air Force Doctrine Publication 5-0, Planning, and listen to our upcoming podcast on planning with Lt Gen Spain. Find our podcast episodes on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, or at www.doctrine.af.mil.