For only the third time in history, the Pentagon Sunday activated the Civil Reserve Air Fleet and engaged commercial airlines to assist with the evacuation of Americans and Afghani refugees.
American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Airlines, Omni Air, Hawaiian Airlines and United Airlines will provide planes to support the evacuation of U.S. citizens and personnel, Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other individuals at risk, Department of Defense officials said, per Just the News.
The commercial aircraft will not fly directly into the airport in Kabul, but rather will pick up evacuees from other locations.
Since only about 20 aircraft are involved, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said officials do not expect a significant impact.
