An Afghan baby girl who was born inside a C-17 military aircraft as it was evacuating people from Afghanistan has been named after the aircraft's call sign. The girl, named Reach, will now forever carry her and her parents' daring escape from the country through her name.
U.S. Army personnel and airmen helped in providing post-labor care to the Afghan woman who gave birth on board the U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane, whose code name is Reach 828. The baby was born while the aircraft was en route from Kabul to Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
The head of the U.S. European Command, General Tod Wolters, said the parents and the baby are in good health and are now on their way to the U.S. along with other refugees.
Officials said the mother went into labor during the flight and had experienced some complications due to her low blood pressure. The pilot of Reach 828 decided to lower the plane's altitude to increase the pressure inside the cabin to help stabilize the mother. Medical staff on board the plane helped deliver the baby inside the cargo hold of Reach 828.
Officials said about 7,000 refugees have passed through U.S. military bases in Europe over the past week. The U.S. has ramped up its efforts to evacuate American citizens and Afghans who had helped in the war ahead of the Aug. 31 deadline. The Taliban, who have now taken over the country, has warned of serious "consequences" if the U.S. does not meet the deadline.
Thousands of refugees and Americans are reportedly still stranded in the country. Since evacuations began, at least 20 people have reportedly died at the Kabul Airport. Some were killed during clashes between security personnel and an unidentified assailant. Others were killed after having fallen from a U.S. military airplane leaving the tarmac.
Over the past week, the pressure to bring Americans and Afghan refugees out of the country has intensified. Officials have repeatedly warned Afghans not to enter the airport if they do not have any valid documents. U.S. military officials said they have evacuated a staggering 88,000 people over the past 24 hours alone.
