TF Liberty

On The Front Lines: Taylor Bayless supports Southern California wildfire survivors as USACE safety specialist

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District

Video by Marti Allen

April 26, 2025 | 1:25

Taylor Bayless, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers safety specialist and St. Louis District employee, is supporting the Southern California wildfire recovery efforts in Altadena, California.

She describes the purpose and responsibilities of her position as she works to support the wildfires survivors while ensure that the crews removing debris do it safely and in accordance with policies and laws
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USACE currently has more than 450 personnel on site and around 3,000 contractors actively supporting our local, state and FEMA partners to support survivors impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires Jan. 7. This includes engineers, debris removal crews, safety officers, quality assurance specialists and more from across the nation.... More

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Corps of Engineersdebris#lawildfire25SoCal WildfireSoCal Wildfire Corps of Engineers More

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On The Front Lines: Taylor Bayless supports Southern California wildfire survivors as USACE safety specialist

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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