Volk Field and Wisconsin National Guard troops supporting Fort McCoy with Afghan mission

September 9, 2021 //

Maj. Joe Trovato, Wisconsin National Guard

210822-A-KP604-013 - Sgt. William Washburn — An aircraft transporting vulnerable Afghans is guided at Volk Field on Camp Douglas Wisconsin, Aug. 22, 2021. The Department of Defense approved a request for assistance from the State Department to provide temporary housing, sustainment, and support inside the United States for vulnerable Afghans at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Fort Bliss, Texas; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey; and Fort Lee, Virginia. This initiative follows through on America’s commitment to vulnerable Afghans and provides them essential support at locations where they and their families can finalize their immigration processing safely. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William Washburn)

Editor’s note: Please find B-roll courtesy of Task Force McCoy of Wisconsin National Guard COVID-19 testing teams assisting at Fort McCoy in support of Operation Allies Welcome: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/812712/wisconsin-guard-administers-covid-19-tests-fort-mccoy-b-roll

VOLK FIELD, Wis. – Wisconsin National Guard troops continue to play a role in the effort to bring evacuees and Special Immigrant Visa holders to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.

Airfield managers, refuelers, and security forces personnel from the Wisconsin National Guard’s Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center have been working round-the-clock to receive several flights per day of evacuees bound for nearby Fort McCoy.

Upon arrival at Volk Field, individuals are greeted by a dual-status commander appointed from the Wisconsin National Guard, as well as Dari and Pashto signage created by Wisconsin National Guard linguists. In addition, designated relief organizations are also using Wisconsin National Guard facilities to receive and stage supplies bound for Fort McCoy, and Guard COVID-19 testing teams are assisting at Fort McCoy.

210826-Z-NN682-0001 - Maj. Brian Faltinson — U.S. Army Cpl. Sean Jackett, left, and Spc. Zackary Jensen, Wisconsin Army National Guard linguists, create signs in Dari and Pashto, Aug. 25 2021, to place in a welcome area for Afghan personnel arriving at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center near Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for up to 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.

The Wisconsin National Guard’s efforts are in support of Operation Allies Welcome – a Department of Homeland Security-led effort supported by the U.S. Department of State, Department of Defense, and U.S. Northern Command to provide transportation, temporary housing, and general support for Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities nationwide.

“The performance by the Volk team has been phenomenal, and yet when I mention this to the troops here they just shrug and give me the ‘that’s just what we do,’” said Lt. Col Thomas Bauer, the vice commander of Volk Field Air National Guard Base. “They come back in at night, weekends and down time to handle any request for help. Additionally, we have integrated active duty Air Force, Guard, Coast Guard, active duty, Guard, and Reserve Army, and civilians into the team. With such a diverse force, we have overcome all challenges thrown our way. All of this to help save lives of our partners in Afghanistan who have literally left everything they had for a chance to start over in the U.S.”

210907-A-JL341-095 - Sgt. Ryan Tatum — Spc. Kenneth Bentzler, right, a motor transport operator for 1157th Transportation Company, and Pfc. Kyle Kollath , left, an aviation operations specialist for 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment assigned to Task Force McCoy, review digital information before conducting COVID-19 testing Sept. 7, 2021, at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, as part of Operation Allies Welcome. 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 Sgt. Ryan Tatum/181st Infantry Brigade)

All told, military personnel from 28 different states led by a dual-status commander have helped receive thousands of personnel with approximately 90 flights arriving at Volk Field en route to Fort McCoy. Running operations at Volk Field has been a total force effort involving multiple components of the U.S. military.

210829-A-AR682-2267 - Spc. Rhianna Ballenger — A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 123rd Contingency Response refuels a plane after it brought Afghan personnel to Volk Air Field, Wisconsin, Aug. 29, 2021. The Department of Defense, in support of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, is providing transportation and temporary housing for Operation Allies Refuge. This initiative follows through on America’s commitment to Afghan personnel who have helped the United States, and provides them essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rhianna Ballenger, 55th Signal Company)

“Volk Field is home to some of the finest men and women in the nation and it’s no surprise to me that we were able to so seamlessly integrate Airmen – both Air National Guard and regular Air Force – from all over the country in such a short period of time,” said Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson, an air traffic manager and senior enlisted advisor for Volk Field’s operations directorate. “It’s a true testament to the professionalism and work ethic of our team and makes me proud to serve alongside members from the Total Force.”

Jackson said he’s been grateful for the opportunity to assist in bringing Afghan families and will always remember the lives lost and sacrifices made in support of the mission.

210904-A-DM672-018 - Spc. Eric Cerami — Pfc. Riley Tiedt, assigned to the 2-127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, Wisconsin National Guard, administers a COVID vaccination to an Afghan evacuee during Operation Allies Welcome at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Sept. 3, 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. Eric Cerami/ 55th Signal Company)

“It really is an honor to be part of this mission, and it means a lot to somehow make a difference in the lives of so many people,” Jackson said. “Even if it means putting in some long hours for a while, it’s nothing compared to what these people have been through.”

Tech. Sgt. Chariann Agee, an aviation resource manager from the Operational Support Squadron at Madison’s 115th Fighter Wing has a unique perspective on the mission. She, herself, was an evacuee to America and a child of refugees who fled the first Liberian civil war in search of asylum in the United States. She’s helping now at Volk Field in an administrative capacity so airfield managers can focus on the mission.

“I know what it’s like to reach safety right here in this country,” Agee said. “My part is small but I am paying it forward and will continue to do so in any way I can.”

210907-A-JL341-102 - Sgt. Ryan Tatum — Pfc. Kyle Kollath, an aviation operation specialist for 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment assigned to Task Force McCoy, swabs an Afghan evacuee’s nose for COVID-19 testing Sept. 7, 2021, at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, as part of Operation Allies Welcome. 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 Sgt. Ryan Tatum/181st Infantry Brigade)

As Operation Allies Welcome began, many sections on post had to establish 24-hour operations to ensure the base could receive aircraft around the clock. Master Sgt. Michael Lyons, an airfield manager at Volk Field integrated five additional personnel into the three full-time personnel his section has assigned normally.

“Being a part of this mission gives me a sense of overwhelming pride,” he said. “Although not directly on the ground in Afghanistan, we are a crucial piece in the success of this mission. Seeing the refugees step off the plane brings me both joy and sadness. Joy because we were able to rescue them from a terrorist nation, and they can now live without fear, and sadness for those that were left behind. I am beyond proud to be such an integral part of this mission, it is something that I will remember forever.”

Wisconsin National Guard security forces personnel at Volk Field also reflected on their role in this whole-of-nation effort.

210907-A-JL341-106 - Sgt. Ryan Tatum — Spc. Kenneth Bentzler, left, a motor transport operator for 1157th Transportation Company, and Spc. Nash Brickl, right, an ammunition specialist for 641st Troop Command Battalion assigned to Task Force McCoy, review digital information before conducting COVID-19 testing Sept. 7, 2021, at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, as part of Operation Allies Welcome. 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 Sgt. Ryan Tatum/181st Infantry Brigade)

“It is always neat to be a part of a new or different mission set, but it doesn’t matter who comes through my gates, they deserve to feel safe, comfortable, and welcome,” said Senior Master Sgt. Nathan Silvers, a security forces manager. “I will do my absolute best to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect. I hope when the journey these people are on is over that their experience here at Volk Field was a positive one.”

Maj. Eric Dunford and Kristen Keehan contributed to this report.

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