USNORTHCOM Commander visits TF Liberty at JBMDL Published Sept. 3, 2021 By Capt Christopher Bowyer-Meeder Task Force Liberty Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- U.S. Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. James K. Porterfield, command senior enlisted leader of NORAD and NORTHCOM, visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, to see Task Force Liberty’s support to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State’s mission to help Afghan personnel, Sept. 2, 2021. More than 1,200 service members from across the country are here as part of Operation Allies Welcome and TF Liberty to support a whole-of-government initiative to provide comfort and care for Afghans and their families. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general care for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan. "I got on a video teleconference call with U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mark Camerer, TF Liberty commander, about 15 days ago, and told him to move out on this mission. The amount of work his team has done in that amount of time – it’s impressive," said VanHerck. The effort was no small task. This total force, whole-of-government effort made it possible to serve the Afghans and their families, while providing safety and security around the clock. “I’m incredibly proud of all the work that this joint team of experts has accomplished,” said Camerer. “Two weeks ago everyone was at their home units accomplishing their respective missions, and now they’re here unified under Task Force Liberty, helping make our guests’ experience better every day.” For questions about Task Force Liberty, please contact Public Affairs at 803-885-2034 or email us at TF-MDL.PA@us.af.mil.