Marine Corps General McKenzie Speech: Military Phase of Evacuation Ends, Diplomatic Phase Next

Report by Paula Antolini, August 30, 2021, 10:51PM EDT

WORLD NEWS

Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command gave a speech in front of Pentagon reporters today. They completed their mission, all military planes have left Kabul and the evacuation is ended.

McKenzie said, “The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30, this afternoon, at 3:29 p.m., East Coast time, and the last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan.”

McKenzie said via teleconference from his headquarters in Tampa, “I’m here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens, third country nationals and vulnerable Afghans.” … “The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30, this afternoon, at 3:29 p.m., East Coast time, and the last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan.”

View full speech below (from NBC News):

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