"Save The Stranded: A Post Afghan-American War Project"

By Scott Chapman and Russ Pritchard

The people of Afghanistan were our loyal Allies in the Global War on Terror for twenty years (2001-2021). The Afghan military professionals built careers around selfless service, and many trained extensively in the United States at the expense of the American taxpayer. When the United States withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, the country collapsed to the Taliban. 

Many will recall the horrific last days when Afghans clung to the departing American planes hoping to escape. Our Afghan Allies lost their homes, their pensions, and their families. The men and women of the Afghan Air Force and Special Mission Wing (SMW) arrived in the United States with the clothes on their backs and nothing more. 

They were given food stamps and a few months rent. At a time when our country is in dire need of pilots and airplane mechanics, the aviation professionals from Afghanistan living in the United States are working jobs in the rideshare industry or as cashiers in convenience stores. Most are trapped working several menial jobs to support themselves and feed their families still hiding from the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Afghan American Development Group (AADG) takes a tactical, and more logical, approach to helping former Afghan Air Force and Special Mission Wing personnel adjust to life in America. This requires a multi-step approach to overcoming mountains of paperwork, reunification with loved ones left behind, transitioning from military to civilian careers, and finding the right job. AADG creates hope, focused efforts, and helping new Afghan refugees succeed. 

Flooded by requests from around the world, a unanimous message vocalized to the writing team of Chapman and Pritchard, is a fear-driven plea for help. Since the Fall of Kabul, many Afghans are tortured and killed by the Taliban. Hunting humans while using tools and tactics taught by us, the U.S. Entire families, 11+++, are forced to relocate every few days to stay ahead of the Taliban death squads.

Our Afghan Allies were there for us for twenty years; we need to be here for them now. 

This is one story: 

Yasmoon left Afghanistan more than a decade ago and moved to the United Kingdom with her husband and infant daughter. She left behind three brothers, four sisters, and her parents. “I grew up in war,” says Yasmoon. “When I was a little girl, a rocket was fired into our home. It took my sister’s head off right in front of me. She died instantly. The explosion drove glass shrapnel into my leg. Decades have passed, and I still have the scars. The Taliban only allowed me four years of formal education. I vowed if I ever had the ability to leave, I would. I wouldn’t let my daughter grow up under the Taliban the way I did.”

Four years ago, one of Jasmine’s surviving three sisters divorced her husband - an act that is inconceivable under the Taliban. She’s still living in Afghanistan today. With the withdrawal of the American military and Afghanistan back under the Taliban, her divorce brought shame upon Yasmoon’s family. Her ex-husband is now part of the Taliban and is actively hunting Yasmoon’s sister with his comrades. The families have abandoned their homes and are fleeing for their lives. “The Taliban look for my sister and my other family members,” says Yasmoon. “ They go from house to house and tell our old neighbors they will find my sisters, rape, and kill them for bringing shame to the ex husband. They say when they find my family they will burn all of them as punishment for being part of a family that allowed divorce.”

Yasmoon’s family attempted to evacuate during the last month of American military presence in Afghanistan. They filed for Special Immigration Visas (SIV). They thought there was a plan to help the Afghan people; They thought they could find safety. Eleven family members, including children, are forced to relocate every 4-6 days to try and stay ahead of the Taliban. They’re learning how to survive in a city that’s hunting for them with no room for error. 

“I’m here safely in the UK, and my family is in Afghanistan. I’m begging for help from anyone,” Yasmoon pleads, “Please, please help us! It doesn’t matter what country – just please help get my family out.” 

Help us bring Yasmoon’s family to safety. Help AADG.