About 19 service members from the Connecticut Air National Guard's 103rd Airlift Wing will deploy to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey to help vulnerable Afghans, the Connecticut National Guard announced Friday.

The Department of Defense authorized this and other military installations to provide temporary housing and support to Afghans. This is in support of Operation Allies Refuge, the military operation to airlift at-risk people out of Afghanistan.

"These Airmen volunteered to help fulfill our nation's commitment to assist our vulnerable Afghan allies," Maj. Gen. Francis Evon, adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard, said in a news release. "Our people are trained professionals who understand the urgency, complexity and importance of this mission and will be providing the necessary logistical and medical support."

The task force at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will provide housing, medical, logistics and transportation support.

“The men and women of the Connecticut National Guard are incredibly professional and provide a tremendous amount of service to our state and our country," Gov. Ned Lamont said in an email statement. "I appreciate these Airmen for volunteering to take on this mission and representing our state in this urgent resettlement effort.”