U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) requested that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) help bring home Americans stranded abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The State Department estimates there are roughly 50,000 American citizens currently seeking repatriation back to the United States including hundreds of Colorado families, students, business owners and healthcare providers,” Sen. Gardner wrote in a March 25 letter sent to U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
Specifically, DOD should assist the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Transportation Command to repatriate these U.S. citizens, wrote Sen. Gardner, who noted that the Transportation Command is a functional unified combatant command that facilitates mobility operations around the globe for DOD, defense agencies, and other government organizations in support of national objectives. The command has requested such assistance, the senator noted.
“U.S. Transportation Command’s ability to provide logistical support is critical to ensuring the success of the State Department’s efforts and I urge your prompt approval of their request,” according to the senator’s letter.