Refugees begin arriving at Ft. McCoy

The first Afghan refugees from the war-torn country began arriving at Ft. McCoy Sunday.

The Monroe County military installation is one of three Army bases chosen to temporarily house the refugees as they are processed and find more permanent places to settle.

“This afternoon, special immigrant visa applicants, their families and other individuals at risk arrived here,” Ft. McCoy officials said in a press release Sunday. 

“That is in addition to the small number of Afghans currently finalizing their processing at Fort Lee, Va. We expect these arrivals to continue throughout the day and the coming days.”

The press release went on to say the Army’s  U.S. Northern Command is working to build additional capacity at Ft. McCoy, as well as at Fort Lee, Fort Bliss, Texas, and potentially other military locations as required.

U.S. Northern Command is the Department of Defense's lead combatant command for the refugee mission in the continental United States and is providing oversight in support of the Department of State.

Around 1,000 service members from a number of U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve units are arriving at Fort McCoy to provide support provide housing, medical, logistics, and transportation support. Brigadier General Chris Norrie is the Task Force McCoy Commander.

“The Fort McCoy community is proud to join U.S. Army North, U.S. Northern Command and the Department of Defense team in supporting the State Department with this mission,” the release said. “We look forward to the opportunity to treat our temporary guests with the utmost respect and Wisconsin hospitality as they commence their Special Immigrant Visa process.”

Monroe County Board Chairman Cedric Schnitzler said county representatives have reached out to the Ft. McCoy Public Affairs Office to begin a conversation and gather information in order to stay abreast of how the operation will impact the county.

He said the sheriff’s office and emergency management have been in contact with their Ft. McCoy counterparts for the same purpose.

According to Schnitzer, Sheriff Wes Revels said his policing goals remain the same – “using our resources to keep the citizens of Monroe County as safe and secure as we can.”

Schnitzler added he is well aware the public has questions and the county is waiting for information from Ft. McCoy officials.

“We do need you to understand that the information we have is very limited and non-specific,” he said. “We will continue our efforts to work closely with representatives from Ft. McCoy so that we are better positioned to answer your questions and address your concerns.”