reservist, filled the role of external affairs at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst safe haven in New Jersey. “This was truly a memorable and life-changing experience to be able to assist in the lives of Afghans who had supported the U.S. and Allied effort over 20 years of conflict in Afghanistan,” said Teska. “I felt privileged to be a part of it and will always remember this experience. What I will walk away [with] is the memory of the children who seemed especially resilient. They loved coming up to us as we walked through the villages, always returned a fist bump, and seemed able to keep a smile on their faces despite the situation they had been through and the changes they were about to experience in their new lives in the U.S.” Cmdr. Jennifer Loth and Lt. Cmdr. Logan Huffman oversaw the Coast Guard reservists and led donation coordination efforts at JB-MDL. Their efforts resulted in over 2.4 million donated items from countless individuals, national and local organizations being distributed to guests. Items donated included books, school supplies, classroom equipment, hygiene equipment, clothing, and child care items. Each safe haven was comprised of a unique structure and staffing. Coast Guard personnel readily assumed the duties of several roles in addition to their assigned ICS roles. Lt. j.g. Todd Pagel was originally assigned as a situation unit leader at JB-MDL, but found himself filling several other roles as well. Pagel’s civilian background is in education, and he eagerly volunteered to coordinate Liberty Village’s educational programs. Liberty Village had over 1,000 students and 40 guest teachers participating in the program. Both Pagel and Master Chief Petty Officer Nick Bernice, a school principal in his civilian job, helped to design, refine, and implement the educational system that now serves the residents of Liberty Village. They also liaised with local educational resources and schools who helped to provide additional resources. Educational services were offered to every guest both young and old. “[This is] the most impactful mobilization that I have ever had the pleasure to partake in,” said Pagel. “Every day that we come to Fort Dix, we are working to make [the Afghan guests’] lives better and prepare them for their future in America. It is almost hard to put into words how proud I am to be a part of this effort, and the fact that I get to do it while wearing the Coast Guard uniform makes it truly special. Pagel described the work at OAW as physically and mentally taxing, often working five or six 12-hour days per week. Even with long hours and high demand, Pagel requested to extend his orders until mission completion. In Washington D.C., Capt. Josephine Heron was the senior reservist assigned to the UCG for Wave 4. Heron shared her thoughts on the mission, commenting on how the perception of the reservists at Coast Guard Headquarters during this mission was overwhelmingly positive. “There has been an outpouring of gratitude for reservists for stepping in, using initiative and problem solving on every level for an extended period of time,” Heron said. “As a non- Stafford Act event, there was no script or playbook for how DHS, DOS, and DOD would collaborate to pull off this effort.” Heron said the mission also had a personal impact for her. “I will carry this experience as one of the greatest efforts I have had the honor to be part of,” she said. “In my first week here at the UCG, we toured the safe haven at Fort Lee, Virginia, and I was struck by the raw emotions that I saw in the faces of the Afghans; the hope, joy, fear, anxiety, and calm.” Heron mentioned seeing a group of Afghan girls, and thought of her own daughters back in Colorado. “I was struck with the similarities to my girls, and by the immediate realization of what incredible opportunities lie ahead for them, in education, employment, dignity, success, and freedom. These opportunities were never guaranteed before in their lives, and there are so many others who will never have those doors opened. I know what we are doing here is changing generations, and impacting everyone who came through the safe havens.” Fenton describes OAW as being one of the most complex incidents in our nation’s history, stretching across 12 time zones, three continents, many countries and cultures. He recalled a conversation with Adm. Karl Schultz when they discussed OAW and the complexities of coordination across multiple continents. The critical need for coordination and communication was at an unprecedented level, as was the need for qualified personnel to fill roles (including those in the command and general staff of OAW). Fenton said Coast Guard was instrumental in filling these roles and establishing key tools that maintained a common communication method required to drive the OAW mission across the world. He said he appreciated the Coast Guard’s readiness to support. “The ability to seamlessly transition into OAW operations, in numerous roles across various locations, with commitment to service, helped ensure the success of this mission,” he said. Each of us has a unique history of The crew of reservists staffing the Washington D.C. location of Operation Allies Welcome attended the anniversary of the Coast Guard Reserve. There, they were recognized by Deputy Commandant for Operations Vice Adm. Scott Buschman, Bob Fenton (OAW lead), and Vice Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan in February. how we are a part of our great nation. Some of the Coast Guardsmen deployed to OAW were naturalized citizens. Many of the deployed personnel found motivation in the smiles of our Afghan guests who will now live in the United States. � Issue 1 • 2022 � RESERVIST 9
