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West Virginia reps frustrated with chaos in Afghanistan; 13 American fatalities reported in Kabul explosions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation expressed frustration and heartbreak Thursday followed the attacks that killed 12 Marines, a Navy medic and several civilians at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

“This is devastating and incredibly sad to see. Our marines were bravely performing the critical mission of evacuating Americans,” U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito tweeted. While the effort is worthwhile, @potus must ensure everything is being done to protect and support those evacuating and helping them. So far, I have been very disappointed with the actions of this administration.”

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U.S. Senator Joe Manchin called the attacks “an unconscionable act of terrorism.”

Manchin added.

“It is clear that the Taliban has broken their promises and this cannot be tolerated any longer. The situation we currently find our country in is one of deep despair, and we must establish a turning point in our actions to control this process. The Taliban continue to harass, assault, and hold hostage the families of U.S. citizens and SIVs, despite their assurances of safe passage. Their takeover of the Afghan government emboldened terrorist organizations like ISIS-K to carry out the attacks we saw today,” Manchin said

First District Congressman David McKinley, who was a guest on MetroNews “Talkline” as the attacks were first being reported, said the situation would be better if there had been a plan in place to remove the Americans and their Afghani friends when the Taliban seized control of the government.

U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va. (File)

“Certainly it’s been mishandled,” McKinley said.

McKinley, who supported former President Donald Trump’s plan to remove American troops from the country, said Thursday some American soldiers should stay beyond President Joe Biden’s Aug. 31 removal date to make sure all Americans have a chance to leave the country.

“If we could trust them (the Taliban), then Americans should be able to fly out in the middle of October, November and even December but if we deem, based on their track record, that they can’t be trusted then I think the military should stay,” McKinley said.

He said he has his doubts about a total removal of U.S. citizens.

“I don’t think we’ll get all the Americans out because I don’t think they know how many Americans are still there,” McKinley said referring to the Biden administration.

Retired state Adjutant General Jim Hoyer said Thursday his thoughts and prayers were with those service members in Afghanistan battling the chaos and violence in Kabul.

James Hoyer

“They are the upmost professional from the youngest service member to those who are seasoned. We really need to focus on those folks,” Hoyer said.

The West Virginia Air National Guard’s Martinsburg-based 167th Airlift has assisted in the removal of residents from Afghanistan in recent days.

The director of the Air National Guard shared a picture of C-17 Globemaster lll, crewed by active-duty airmen, carrying Afghanistan evacuees arrived at Naval Air Station Sigonella last Sunday.

NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of Defense mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable members of the Afghan populations from Afghanistan.

The Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport Authority confirmed in a social media post Wednesday that a Martinsburg-based C-17 aircraft from the 167th /1-67th/ Airlift Wing participated in evacuations.





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