By now you’ve probably seen the video of the C-17 taxiing down the flightline in Kabul, overrun by desperate Afghans. You may have also noticed that the particular aircraft in that video bore the markings of the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings.
We see these jets flying over Tacoma every day and while many of them are just training flights, some of them are on their way to or from Afghanistan, among other places.
There are a little under 300 C-17s in service at different duty stations around the world. Forty-four of them—including the one in that video—are based at McChord Field.
When we did a story on the C-17s and the 62nd Airlift Wing a while back, we explored the ins and outs of number 1106. The one in the video is 1109. Of course, this is just a coincidence and has no real relevance in this situation. But still, it does make the whole thing feel a lot closer to home.
The pilot watching that scene from the flight deck may be driving down Ruston Way later this week. The loadmaster who had to close the ramp with people still trying to get on might be sitting next to you at a restaurant in a few days.
The families crammed into the backs of those same airplanes, who only days ago were living out their lives in Kabul, may never see their home country again. Tacoma will be the first introduction to life in the US for a lot of these people. God only knows what will happen to the friends and family they left behind.
This is, admittedly, a stretch for the kinds of things we normally talk about here. The story is still unfolding and we’ll all be learning things in the coming days and weeks. There are two big points we’d like to make, though.
First, if you’re willing and able to help, the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is organizing donations and volunteers to help with the following services:
- Apartment Set-Up
- Airport Pick-Up
- Meal Assistance
- Transportation Assistance
- Mentorship
- Tutoring
- English as a Second Language Aide
- Writing to congressperson on behalf of Afghan Allies
Second, if you’re a veteran of the Afghanistan war, this whole thing could be particularly difficult for you but it’s important to know you’re not alone. It’s a hell of a thing to spend months, years, or an entire career in a foreign country, getting to know its people and cities, only to see it fall apart in a matter of days.
You may be questioning the point of it all and whether any of it was worth the sacrifice. This is a completely rational reaction and plenty of other people are right there with you. There are people to talk to who understand what you’re going through and resources available to make life easier. If you or someone you know is having a hard time dealing with this, the VA has a list of resources and advice available here.
- Veterans Crisis Line – If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit www.veteranscrisisline.net
- For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.
- Vet Centers – Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.
- VA Mental Health Services Guide – This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.
- MakeTheConnection.net – information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.
- RallyPoint – Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?
- Download VA’s self-help apps – Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) – Request a Peer Mentor
- VA Women Veterans Call Center – Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 6:30PM ET)
- VA Caregiver Support Line – Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 5PM ET)
- Together We Served –Find your battle buddies through unit pages
- George W. Bush Institute – Need help or want to talk? Check In or call: 1-630-522-4904 or email: checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org
- Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes – Join the Community
- American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network – Peer Support and Mentoring
- Team Red, White & Blue – Hundreds of events weekly. Find a chapter in your area.
- Student Veterans of America – Find a campus chapter to connect with.
- Team Rubicon – Find a local support squad.