Calvert bill would honor Reach 871 aircrew with Congressional Gold Medal

U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) recently sponsored legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Air Force crew of Reach 871, commonly known as the Reach 871, recognizing their bravery and service during Operation Allies Refuge, the U.S. military operation to airlift certain at-risk Afghan civilians from their country during America’s pullout.

“During the final days of our nation’s presence in Afghanistan in which so much went wrong, the images of a sea of anxious people packed into a C-17 cargo hold were a searing reminder of America’s compassion,” Rep. Calvert said. “Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the crew of Reach 871 is a fitting and appropriate recognition of their bravery and selflessness.”

Rep. Calvert on Sept. 30 introduced the Reach 871 Congressional Gold Medal Act, H.R. 5437. The legislation would honor the Reach 871, which set a record by loading 823 individuals onto a flight, the most people ever flown on a C-17 Globemaster III, according to the text of the bill. 

“Under chaotic and dangerous conditions, the Air Force crew of Reach 871 went above and beyond the call of duty to maximize the number of people it could evacuate,” said Rep. Calvert. “The crew saw the urgent and desperate need to provide refuge for men, women and children, and took the initiative to exploit the incredible capability of the C-17 aircraft to transport them to safety.”

The crew and its commander made the brave decision to evacuate as many civilians as possible, including women and children, placing those civilian lives and safety above all else, the text of the bill says.

“The selfless service and willingness to face extreme peril in order to secure the safety of Afghan civilians should be recognized and honored,” the bill says. “These Airmen exemplify the patriotism and the commitment of all our brave service members who have served in Afghanistan over the last 20 years and risked their lives in service of our country.”

The Reach 871 crew is part of the 436th Air Wing based at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.