TF Liberty

USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Night-Time Flight Operations

USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7)

Video by Seaman Nathan Huang

April 4, 2025 | 2:04

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 4, 2025) AV-8B Harriers, assigned to the Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 “Bulldogs”, conduct night-time flight operations on the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while underway. Iwo Jima is with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group conducting Amphibious Squadron Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), designed to test the capabilities of the IWO ARG and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit as a fully-integrated expeditionary force. PMINT gives the Navy-Marine Corps team a unique opportunity to strengthen partnerships and interoperability before deployment. The IWO ARG consists of its flagship, Iwo Jima, and the San Antonio-class Landing Dock ships USS San Antonio (LPD 17) and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28). The IWO ARG—in concert with its integrated 22nd MEU team—deters aggression, projects power through presence abroad, and executes contingency missions in support of U.S. strategic interests around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nathan Huang) More

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USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Night-Time Flight Operations

On August 23, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs John Kirby publicly announced Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst’s selection to provide housing, medical support, logistics, and transportation support for vulnerable Afghans as they arrived in the U.S. The established task force, coined Task Force Liberty, stood up shortly afterward to support this effort.

Task Force Liberty is a team of Department of Homeland Security and Department of State personnel, Department of Defense service members and civilians, resettlement partners and affiliates and non-governmental organizations united for a common purpose. Each of these individuals embodies an American force that stands at the ready to answer our nation’s call at all times. They are ambassadors to our Afghan guests; representing the foundational principles and core values of our nation.

Task Force Liberty continues to support the Department of Homeland Security by providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for 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.

Task Force Liberty focuses on four Lines of Effort to accomplish this mission:

Receive

Safety/Security

Care

Community

This initiative follows through on America’s commitment to Afghan personnel who helped us, and provides them essential support at secure locations, where they and their families can complete Department of State and Department of Homeland Security processing safely. In support of these agencies, the Department of Defense is proud to make these accommodations and services available to Afghan personnel.

How do I in-process to Task Force Liberty?
- Members who have been tasked to Task Force Liberty at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst should report to the Reception Control Center, Bldg. 3101, upon arrival. Please bring your orders and vaccination card (if applicable).
  - If any member is a 1-to-1 swap, it would be useful to know who they are swapping out and/or what section that member works in.
- Members can in-process at any time as PERSCO is a 24-hour operation; however, mask fit testing is part of the in-processing actions and is done between the hours of 1100-1330 each day.
- After in-processing and completing a mask fit test, members will receive in-processing briefing in the same building (typically at 1400 each day, based on need).
- Immediately following the briefing, members will be assigned their tasking within Task Force Liberty.
If there are any issues with in-processing, members can reach PERSCO at (609) 754-3125 at any time.
How can I make a donation?
Disclaimer: The content within this article does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Air Force or Department of Defense. The Air Force does not endorse any non-federal government organizations, products or services.

Editor’s Note: The information within this article is being released on behalf of The American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, Muslim Officers Association of New Jersey, and Jersey Shore Chief Petty Officers Association.

Due to Task Force Liberty policy, individual donations for Operation Allies Welcome are not allowed. Unscheduled deliveries and drop offs to the base will not be accepted (even if the donor has base access).

To continue supporting:

- If you are interested in helping organize a donation drive to donate new clothing or hygiene items, please contact Team Rubicon at resettlementsupport@teamrubiconusa.org. Team Rubicon will be coordinating donation drives for clothing and hygiene items until 05 November 2021. Team Rubicon's current highest priority needs are winter jackets, snow boots, and close-toed shoes.

- If you are interested in helping support cultural efforts, education initiatives, equality initiatives, or other special projects, please contact our representatives at libertyvillagenj@gmail.com.

- To directly support Afghans at Task Force Liberty, please visit Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/5398KJNCU5VU?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR18W493XMnHnwqHylroybsh-oApAbwemnSR--oPgZdr87b8R9usQW1McIA

- To continue volunteering at this time we will only onboard individuals with base access. If you are interested in volunteering, please go to this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDalYxUd1xcxAnSiZlhX8_FHR4JkkUTJ06urawVDJyVFnEvg/viewform?usp=sf_link

- Those who wish to contribute financially can do so directly to any of the following charities:
- Team Rubicon (https://teamrubiconusa.org/give/)
- Catholic Charities (https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/donate/)
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (www.usccb.org)
- The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org)
- The International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org)
For further questions, email: LibertyVillageNJ@gmail.com
What’s the timeline of this operation?
The timeline of our Afghan guest’s transition to their new lives is different for each family. Some may have arrangements in places while others may take a while longer. Evacuee resettlement would not be possible without the support of state and local governments, our resettlement partners and affiliates, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, advocacy groups, and volunteers.
How are Afghan guests vetted?
Before an individual is allowed into the United States, U.S. intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals conduct screening and security vetting. Vetting occurs at the temporary safe haven locations prior to travel to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the intelligence community and in line with the current U.S. vetting procedures, approves the manifest of every flight to the United States.
Where can media outlets direct queries and coverage requests?
Task Force Liberty-related queries can be directed to the Task Force Liberty Public Affairs team at tf.liberty.pa@gmail.com. Media requests for installation access will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will only be approved on a not-to-interfere basis.

Task Force Liberty Public Affairs

Media Queries: tf.liberty.pa@gmail.com

All Other Requests: 87ABW.TF.LibertyPA@us.af.mil

Phone Number: 609-253-9233

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