INDIANAPOLIS – South-central Indiana’s Camp Atterbury will temporarily host some 5,000 Afghan evacuees as part of Operation Allies Refuge, according to the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

Active-duty and National Guard service members will support this federal mission and provide housing, medical, logistics and transportation to Afghan evacuees at a date to be determined.

“As Hoosiers, we are proud to do our part and provide a temporary home for Afghan evacuees who have supported this nation,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said. “Our federal partners are taking necessary and appropriate steps to establish that there is a smooth process to allow these men, women and children to quickly find their permanent home across the United States. I have faith in the Indiana National Guard’s ability to support this federal mission.”

Sen. Todd Young of Indiana issued this statement:

“As around 5,000 evacuated Afghans will be temporarily housed at Indiana’s Camp Atterbury while they are vetted for resettlement across the country, it is extremely important that all local units of government and first responders know who they are, how many, and what part of the vetting process they’re in so Hoosiers do not suffer the fallout of President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal. I have communicated to the relevant federal departments that vetting details and any plans for resettlement must be transparent and public so we can honor our commitments to our Afghan allies while keeping Hoosier communities safe.”

Senator Mike Braun

Camp Atterbury joins Fort Pickett, Marine Corps Base Quantico and Fort Lee in Va.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort McCoy, Wis.; Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in N.J. in providing temporary housing and support for up to 50,000 Afghans.