The Pentagon is pressing into service U.S. commercial airlines to aid in the evacuation from Afghanistan, announcing the activation of the Civilian Reserve Air Force (CRAF) by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. This initiative involves 18 commercial flights from notable companies like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, to bolster the evacuation efforts. These planes won't be touching down at Hamid Karzai International Airport but rather, they will transport passengers from momentary safe havens and temporary stations.
The activation of CRAF is significant as it marks the third time in the program's history that it has been utilized, a testament to the gravity and urgency of the situation. President Joe Biden praised the commercial airlines for their support, stating that these civilian reserve flights will facilitate the passage of individuals from transit hubs such as Qatar and Germany.
U.S. commercial airlines are providing vital assistance in the evacuation by transporting evacuees from temporary locations outside of Afghanistan to their final destinations. Six U.S. commercial airlines have been summoned by the Pentagon to lend a hand, with a combined total of 18 commercial aircraft from major carriers like United, American, and Delta being put in service for this operation. These planes will not fly directly to Kabul but will transfer passengers from rudimentary holding zones to their endpoints, relieving the pressure on military aircraft and quickening the evacuation process.
The Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) has been deployed by the Pentagon to bolster the operation. CRAF is specific to directing civilian aircraft from participating airlines to transport evacuees from temporary relocation points. The six collaborating airlines—American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, Omni Air, Hawaiian Airlines, and United Airlines—have agreed to lend their support for roughly two weeks, coinciding with the planned completion of the airlift on August 31. This initiative aims to release military aircraft for missions in Kabul and manage the large number of evacuees being processed at various transit locations.
