Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III speaks to the force on the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.

U.S. Air Force Capts. Allyson Swift and Taylor Stephens, 37th Airlift Squadron instructor pilots, hug an evacuee during Operation Allies Refuge at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 4, 2021. The young girl wishes to become a pilot, so Swift and Stephens spoke with her about the U.S. Air Force and their experiences. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb S. Kimmell)

A banner hangs in the youth pod during Operation Allies Refuge at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 4, 2021. This banner has been signed by residents and visitors of the youth pod, a separate tent community on RAB for unaccompanied minors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb S. Kimmell)

A banner hangs in the youth pod during Operation Allies Refuge at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 4, 2021. This banner has been signed by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Melissa Dombrock, 76th Airlift Squadron commander, and Capts. Allyson Swiftand Taylor Stephens, 37th Airlift Squadron instructor pilots, who spoke to a young evacuee hoping to become a pilot. The youth pod is a separate lodging area on RAB for unaccompanied minors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb S. Kimmell)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Allyson Swift, 37th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot, hugs a young evacuee during Operation Allies Refuge at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 4, 2021. The young girl wishes to become a pilot, so she asked three female pilots how to become a pilot and how to join the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb S. Kimmell)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Melissa Dombrock, 76th Airlift Squadron commander, and Capts. Allyson Swift and Taylor Stephens, 37th Airlift Squadron instructor pilots, answer questions from a group of young evacuees during Operation Allies Refuge at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 4, 2021. The girls asked how to become a pilot and how to join the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb S. Kimmell)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Spencer Carrier, 86th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron physical therapist, stands in Pod one at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sep. 4, 2021. Carrier spends his time outside of work with his church to prepare food for evacuees and their families and also collects donations to pay for clothes, diapers and toys to donate to evacuees in support of Operation Allies Refuge. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Spencer Carrier, 86th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron physical therapist, gathers bandages to give to evacuees at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sep. 5, 2021. Carrier addresses the medical needs of evacuees through dressing and changing wounds, evaluating patients and providing care to evacuees with orthopedic injuries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kimberly Byers-Lund (left), a family physician and Army reserve-component Soldier, assigned to U.S. Army Health Clinic Kaiserslauter, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, and U.S. Maj. Jesus Chaves, chief nursing officer, U.S. Army Health Clinic Baumholder, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, evaluate an Afghan evacuee child as part of a medical team supporting Operation Allies Refuge at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 26. The medical team is part of U.S. Armed Forces medical efforts in response to the Afghanistan evacuations at Ramstein Air Base, which has transformed itself into the logistical hub for the evacuation of people from Afghanistan.

Aircraft maintainers assigned to the 110th Expedition Bomb Squadron routinely service a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, Sept. 2, 2021. Operating out of forward locations allows Airmen to enhance combat credible capabilities of the stealth bomber. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Victoria Hommel)

131st and 509th Bomb Wing crew chiefs prepare to launch a B-2 Spirit bomber as part of a Bomber Task Force Europe deployment to Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, Aug. 31, 2021. U.S. forces enjoy mutually beneficial military cooperation with Nordic allies and partner countries with respect to the Arctic region, continually coordinating together on operations and exercises. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. John E. Hillier)

NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (Aug. 27, 2021) Evacuees from Afghanistan arrive at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota Aug. 27, 2021. NAVSTA Rota is currently supporting the Department of State mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable populations from Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan Carpenter)

Private 1st Class Jesus Moreno from 16th Sustainment Brigade setting up and arranging beds at the Deployment Processing Center (DPC) on Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany August 20th, 2021 in order to support the evacuation of Afghan refugees. The 21st Theater Sustainment Command supports the Department of State in the transportation, housing, and sustainment of U.S. Citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk Afghans who are being evacuated from Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jesse Pilgrim)

An Afghan evacuee leaves a note on their cot for U.S. service members after departing Naval Station Rota, Spain for the United States. Flights carrying 350 evacuees from Afghanistan departed Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota for the United States on Aug. 31 in support of Operation Allies Refuge.

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. David McCormick, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Band superintendent, moves donated goods at a clothing distribution center at Ramstein Air Base Germany, August 26, 2021. In support of Operation Allies Refuge, hundreds of volunteers have organized and distributed donations to evacuees.

U.S. Air Force members and civilians volunteer at a clothing distribution center at Ramstein Air Base Germany, August 26, 2021. Volunteers package and distribute donation collections to evacuees on Ramstein AB as part of Operation Allies Refuge.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kevin Rasmussen, 86th Dental Squadron chief of oral and maxillofacial surgery stands in front of a clothing distribution center at Ramstein Air Base Germany, August 26, 2021. The 86th Airlift Wing Emergency Operations Center delivers donations to evacuees twice a day during Operation Allies Refuge.

Marta Laatsch, military spouse, organizes donated clothing at Ramstein Air Base Germany, August 26, 2021. In support of Operation Allies Refuge, hundreds of volunteers have organized and distributed donations to evacuees.

A U.S. Air Force Airman screens Afghan evacuees for medical concerns at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 20, 2021. Ramstein Air Base is providing safe, temporary lodging for evacuees from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Refuge. This operation is facilitating the quick, safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other at-risk Afghans from Afghanistan. Evacuees will receive support, such as temporary lodging, food and water and access to medical care as well as religious care at Ramstein Air Base while preparing for onward movements to their final destinations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Megan Munoz)

U.S. European Command joined forces with the U.S. State Department and several combatant commands to provide urgent, lifesaving assistance to qualified evacuees, including U.S. and Europoean citizens and Afghans who supported America and its NATO Allies during the 20-year Afghanistan war.

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit crew chiefs assigned to the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and pilots with the 393rd Bomb Squadron, load luggage onto a stealth bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Aug. 23, 2021. Strategic bomber missions enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency, and validate our always-ready global strike capability.

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit crew chiefs assigned to the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and pilots with the 393rd Bomb Squadron, load luggage onto a stealth bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Aug. 23, 2021. Strategic bomber missions enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency, and validate our always-ready global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Parker J. McCauley)

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit crew chiefs with the 509th Aircraft Maintenance squadron prepare a B-2 Spirit for takeoff at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Aug. 23, 2021. Thanks to its nearly 6,000-mile unrefueled range, the B-2 is capable of expediently delivering massive fire power anywhere on the globe through the most challenging enemy defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Parker J. McCauley)

U.S. citizens and their families process through the passenger terminal at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to board a departure flight on their way to the United States as part of Operations Allies Refuge, Aug. 23, 2021. Ramstein, a transit location for evacuees from Afghanistan, provided temporary lodging, food, medical services and treatment while they awaited transportation to the United States. Nearly 48 hours after the operation began, more than 7,000 evacuees have landed at Ramstein. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

Soldiers from the 16th Sustainment Brigade set up beds and dividers at the Deployment Processing Center (DPC) on Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany August 20th, 2021 in order to support the evacuation of Afghan evacuees. The 21st Theater Sustainment Command supports the Department of State in the transportation, housing, and sustainment of U.S. Citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk Afghans who are being evacuated from Afghanistan.

A member of the United Services Organization, center-right, high-fives an Afghan evacuee as they depart a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 20, 2021. Ramstein Air Base is providing safe, temporary lodging for qualified evacuees from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Refuge during the next several weeks. Operation Allies Refuge is facilitating the quick, safe evacuation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other at-risk Afghans from Afghanistan. Qualified evacuees will receive support such as temporary lodging, food, medical screening, treatment and more at Ramstein Air Base while preparing for onward movements to their final destination. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Taylor Slater)

A family of Afghan evacuees receive food and masks at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Aug. 22, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of Defense mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable Afghan populations from Afghanistan.

210822-N-OX321-1167 NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy (Aug. 22, 2021) Naval Air Station Sigonella Command Master Chief Anna Wood assist an evacuee disembarking a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender Aug. 22, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of Defense mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable Afghan populations from Afghanistan.

210822-N-OX321-1412 NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy (Aug. 22, 2021) Naval Air Station Sigonella Command Master Chief Anna Wood assists an evacuee disembarking a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender Aug. 22, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of Defense mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable Afghan populations from Afghanistan.

Senior Airman Moon escorts Afghan evacuees aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Aug. 22, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of Defense mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable Afghan populations from Afghanistan.

A U.S. Navy Sailor assists an Afghan evacuee aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Aug. 22, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of Defense mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable Afghan populations from Afghanistan.

Ens. Galgana assists an Afghan evacuee aboard Naval Air Station Sigonella, Aug. 22, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of Defense mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable Afghan populations from Afghanistan.

Children enjoy bubbles and toys provided by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) at Naval Air Station Sigonella Aug. 22, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of Defense mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable Afghan populations from Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 41st Field Artillery Brigade, 7th Army Training Command, work together to set up cots at Camp Kasserine at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 22, 2021. The 7th ATC and the local community rallied to support the possibility of Afghan evacuees temporarily lodging here before their onward movement to a more permanent location. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Stewart)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 41st Field Artillery Brigade, 7th Army Training Command, work together to set up cots at Camp Kasserine at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 22, 2021. The 7th ATC and the local community rallied to support the possibility of Afghan evacuees temporarily lodging here before their onward movement to a more permanent location. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Stewart)