The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan created a massive logistics problem and humanitarian crisis for the government. Thousands of Afghans who worked with U.S. Forces during the Afghanistan war and their families needed to be evacuated and resettled in the United States.

Jason, a Weston, Luzerne County native and Air Force veteran, accepted the call to aid in the relocation effort in August 2021. He was one of two Mobility Control Officers assigned to head the project. They needed move over 70,000 Afghan refugees arriving at Dulles Airport in northern Virginia to surrounding military bases where they could be reunited with family and friends. 

However, they could not just be in and out. A major concern was that each refugee was processed correctly so that they could receive their Special Interest Visa (SIV), the proper documentation required to enter the United States. In addition to the SIV’s, many of the Afghans had young children or medical issues to address that needed immediate attention. Such items as COVID, measles, and security (proper vetting) concerns required a lot of coordination with other groups to ensure that the operation went smoothly.

Jason noted to his partners, “My particular role was Mobility Control Officer (MCO), paired with a counterpart on day shift. I worked over 14 hours a day for 2 weeks before finally getting a break. During which time, I handled all communications, special transportation, and mass transportation. Mass transportation involved the coordination of over 60 buses and vehicles.” Jason was staffed on the project for another two weeks after his short break to see his wife and 3 sons in Nazareth, PA.

John Ackerman and Al Handy, his partners at Twin Oaks, are proud of his dedication to his country and his service and fully supported his month away from the firm, but amazingly, he still completed his outstanding projects on time just remotely.

Jason wants to leave everyone with his final thoughts about his experience.

“It was an amazing experience and I'm glad to have helped so many in need. It was the end and new beginning for many caught in the complicated history of Afghanistan.” 

“Many lessons were learned, so if ever needed, I hope to help with future humanitarian crises.”  

To learn more of the resettlement effort you can watch this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc0SONJ12Zw

Jason M. Hasker, EIT, PMP is Principal, Electro-Mechanical Systems for Twin Oaks Consulting, LLC, a multi-discipline engineering and geological sciences firm. They are based in Hazle Township with offices in Saylorsburg and Nazareth.