Task Force 135

Task Force 135 was a joint United States Department of Defense formation established in 2021 during the final stages of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). Its primary mission was to conduct the Non-combatant evacuation operation from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul following the Taliban offensive and collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The task force operated under the authority of United States Central Command and worked alongside other major commands including United States Transportation Command and United States Special Operations Command.

History

The unit was created in August 2021 by order of President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in direct response to the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. Its formation coincided with the launch of Operation Allies Refuge and the subsequent Operation Pitting conducted by the United Kingdom. The task force's activation followed the Doha Agreement (2020) and the near-simultaneous 2021 Taliban offensive which culminated in the Fall of Kabul (2021). Its operations were a critical component of the larger NATO withdrawal and evacuation effort, marking the end of the United States' twenty-year military engagement in the country initiated after the September 11 attacks.

Organization

Task Force 135 was a composite joint force drawing personnel and assets from across the United States Armed Forces. Command and control was vested in United States Central Command, with operational execution led by United States Marine Corps forces, primarily the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The force included substantial elements from the United States Army, including the 82nd Airborne Division, and the United States Air Force for airlift and security. It worked in close coordination with other entities such as the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, and allied forces from the United Kingdom Armed Forces and Bundeswehr. The organizational structure was designed for rapid integration and flexibility in a highly fluid combat environment.

Operations

The core operation for the task force was the security and execution of the massive airlift from Hamid Karzai International Airport. This involved establishing and defending a perimeter against potential threats from the Islamic State – Khorasan Province while processing and evacuating tens of thousands of American citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk Afghan nationals. Operations were conducted under constant threat, evidenced by the 2021 Kabul airport attack. The task force facilitated the largest airlift in United States Air Force history, surpassing the scale of Operation Frequent Wind during the Fall of Saigon. These activities were supported by intelligence from the Central Intelligence Agency and reconnaissance flights by the United States Navy.

Equipment

The task force utilized a wide array of military hardware to secure the airport and conduct evacuations. Air mobility relied heavily on C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules aircraft from the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command. Rotary-wing support included CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Ground security forces employed up-armored Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and utilized crew-served weapons like the M2 Browning machine gun. Personnel were equipped with standard M4 carbine rifles and wore Enhanced Combat Helmets. The force also integrated advanced communication systems and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms to maintain situational awareness across the Kabul area.

Notable missions

The defining mission was the sustained airlift from Hamid Karzai International Airport, which evacuated over 120,000 people. A specific notable event involved the rescue and evacuation of over 600 personnel from the Afghan Air Force in a single, coordinated lift. The task force also supported the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, working with Diplomatic Security Service agents. Its operations directly enabled the final withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force personnel, including the last United States Army soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division. The conclusion of its mission was marked by the final United States Air Force flight departing on August 30, 2021, effectively ending the American military presence. Category:Joint task forces of the United States Category:War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:2021 in Afghanistan