RAF Mildenhall, 60th AMW support Afghanistan evacuation efforts

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, removes a wheel chock from a KC-10 Extender aircraft in preparation for flight at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Sept. 2, 2021. RAF Mildenhall supported the 60th AMW in Operation Allies Refuge, during which time they conducted safe and orderly evacuations of eligible foreigners and vulnerable Afghans in close coordination with allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Barron)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Cameron Sperry, left, 9th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, Maj. Gary Sain, center, 9th ARS pilot, and Capt. Judah Hooper, 9th ARS pilot, flew missions in support of Operation Allies Refuge from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. U.S. Air Force personnel are trained and postured to ensure force protection and humanitarian needs are met with dignity and respect while remaining vigilant during changing circumstances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Barron)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Calvin Smith, 9th Air Refueling Squadron flight engineer, assisted in the evacuation operations of eligible foreigners and vulnerable Afghans during Operation Allies Refuge in August 2021. Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, served as a staging area for his crew’s participation in the evacuation, which was conducted in a safe and orderly manner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Barron)

U.S. Airman 1st Class Lederion Carter, left, 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, and Tech. Sgt. Esteban Coronado, 660th AMXS crew chief, provided maintenance for a KC-10 Extender aircraft assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, that was used in the evacuation of eligible foreigners and vulnerable Afghans. Carter and Coronado were based out of Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, during their support of Operation Allies Refuge, which was conducted in close coordination with allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Barron)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matteo Piruzza, 9th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, left, and Senior Airman Daniel Proben, 9th ARS boom operator, were based out of Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, while participating in evacuation operations during Operation Allies Refuge. The U.S. Air Force, Department of State and local U.S. Embassies worked closely with host-nation authorities to coordinate the movement of qualified evacuees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Barron)

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, board a KC-10 Extender aircraft at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Sept. 2, 2021. RAF Mildenhall supported the 60th AMW in Operation Allies Refuge, during which time they conducted safe and orderly evacuations of eligible foreigners and vulnerable Afghans in close coordination with allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Barron)

A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender aircraft assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, taxis on the flightline at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Sept. 2, 2021. RAF Mildenhall served as a staging area during Operation Allies Refuge for the 60th AMW, who conducted evacuations in a safe and orderly manner in close coordination with allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Barron)

A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender aircraft assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, takes off from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Sept. 2, 2021. RAF Mildenhall served as a staging area for KC-10s assisting in the evacuation of Afghanistan during Operation Allies Refuge, during which time the safety and security of U.S. Air Force personnel, families and installations, as well as those of allies and partners remained a top priority. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Barron)