Topline
Sunday's order by the Department of Defense to six U.S. commercial airline companies to fly planes to assist in the evacuation of Americans and Afghans who helped the U.S. military leave Afghanistan, where thousands are still trapped.
SAN FRANCISCO (CALIFORNIA) - APRIL 12, 2020: Pilot walks past United Airlines planes while they are parked at...[+] San Francisco International Airport gates on April 12, 2020 in San Francisco. Since the closure of the coronavirus shelter, San Francisco International Airport has seen a dramatic drop in daily flights. United Airlines was the largest airport carrier, with 290 daily flights before the COVID-19 pandemic. They have now reduced their daily flights from 290 to 50. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images). Getty Images
The Key Facts
Lloyd Austin, Defense Secretary, activated Civil Reserve Air Fleet. This measure was created following the 1952 Berlin Airlift. It is intended to supplement military aircraft in emergency situations. Austin activated 18 aircraft of six airlines, including four from United Airlines, three from American Airlines and Delta Airlines, Omni Air, and Atlas Air. Two from Hawaiian Airlines were also involved. The Pentagon stated that the military will use the aircraft to transport Americans and Afghans from temporary waystations. This will allow for more military aircraft to return to Kabul. According to Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser, the move is coming as several thousand Americans are still in Afghanistan. Some of them have difficulty getting into the airport because of the crowds at the gates. United Airlines stated in a statement that it will activate four of its 22 Boeing 777 300s and is proud of using our expertise to ensure safe passage for our fellow countrymen, women and those who have risked their lives to keep them safe.
Important Quote
According to the Pentagon, there is no significant impact on commercial flights that this activation will have, and the Pentagon stated in a statement that it increases passenger movement beyond what organic capability allows and allows military aircraft to concentrate on operations in and around Kabul.
Big Number
2. This is how many times CRAF was activated before: once during the Gulf War (Aug. 1990 to May 1991) and again during Operation Iraqi Freedom (February 2002 to June 2003).
