"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 Mateen’s story: 

Since the publication of “Amanda’s Story” by Operation Freedom Birds, Afghans in need of help email and text hourly with requests for assistance. Mateen, a young man in Afghanistan, sent a text message to a phone number he received from his cousin in hopes someone would respond. Mateen connected with Freedom Birds and writers Scott Chapman and Russ Pritchard.

In his mid twenties, Mateen attended the American University and studied law with a concentration on local and regional codes. A typical college student, he enjoyed the social life with classmates and the relaxed atmosphere on campus. With three classes remaining to complete his degree, Mateen looked forward to a career practicing municipal law within his own community. “The Taliban shut down my school,” says Mateen. “I was so close, and it’s all been shut down. All of these students with dreams and career plans now have nothing. The grass on campus grows long. The place looks abandoned. Growing up, I never thought the Americans would leave.”  

The Taliban regard anyone who assists the United States to be an infidel. They’re deemed traitors. Afghan culture holds the entire family responsible for the perceived sins of one. The U.S. Embassy Annex employed Mateen’s father, brother and cousins as janitors. “Seven of us hide from the Taliban in my house,” says Mateen, “ No one has a source of income or has a way to get money for food. We spend all day inside the house because we’re too scared to go outside. We don’t want to draw the attention of the Taliban. My family worked at the American Embassy to support our family and so I could go to school. Because of where they worked, we will suffer execution.” 

“We live in terror. We don’t sleep because someone always has to watch for the Taliban. The last time I went outside, I saw groups of Taliban everywhere. They wear American uniforms, have American weapons, drive American vehicles, and fly American helicopters. They beat people for no reason. Five Talilban stopped me and made me empty my pockets. They asked me questions about my family and if we worked with the Americans. They point their weapons at you and charge them. They pull back on the handle and let you know they are ready to shoot. Many times they do. I miss college. I miss my life before the Taliban. There’s no food. There’s no money. We won’t last much longer. Please send help.”

Help bring Mateen’s family to safety. Help AADG.