Documenting a humanitarian crisis in real time
"Save The Stranded: A post Afghan-American War Project"
Since the last military flight out of Kabul and the Khider District Massacre, both events occurring on 30 August 2021, Chapman and Pritchard have co-authored numerous heartbreaking stories about Afghans in peril.
Work in Progress
Project Objectives
Flooded by requests from around the world, the unanimous message vocalized to the writing team of Chapman and Pritchard, is a fear-driven plea for help.
In recent weeks, many Afghans have had friends and family tortured and killed by the Taliban; many are actively being hunted and in peril. Entire families, 15 or more, move every few days, hoping to stay ahead of the Taliban while waiting for a mechanism of transport to safety.
The primary goal of the stories is to put a human face to the struggles of the Afghan people and draw overwhelming attention that will force the people, the governments, and the world to help the citizens of Afghanistan.
The secondary goals are to raise awareness of the Khider District Massacre and to expose corruption / unkept promises by our Government.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Burke
A Story of Infant Abdul
A Story of Infant Abdul
A Story of Infant Abdul
When the baby finally came four hours later, all the husband could convey through the screams was, “I can see my wife’s breath, I can see my own breath, but I cannot see my baby’s breath.”
Despite the best efforts of the local OB/GYN, resuscitation by cell phone did not prove effective. The baby was set aside on the ground as the Doctor ta
When the baby finally came four hours later, all the husband could convey through the screams was, “I can see my wife’s breath, I can see my own breath, but I cannot see my baby’s breath.”
Despite the best efforts of the local OB/GYN, resuscitation by cell phone did not prove effective. The baby was set aside on the ground as the Doctor talked the father and mother through the delivery of her placenta.
Just before the sun came up in Kabul, the young parents buried their baby just outside the house. They named him Abdul.
A Story of Starvation
A Story of Infant Abdul
A Story of Infant Abdul
"Three families without food, without money, without hope for evacuation, and going into a dark and desolate winter where people burn feces for heat when the wood runs out. Maybe by a miracle, or maybe by the miracle of many people working tirelessly behind the scenes thousands of miles away, these three families woke up to food at their
"Three families without food, without money, without hope for evacuation, and going into a dark and desolate winter where people burn feces for heat when the wood runs out. Maybe by a miracle, or maybe by the miracle of many people working tirelessly behind the scenes thousands of miles away, these three families woke up to food at their front door. If it sounds implausible, it’s not. It’s just Wednesday morning in the States, and the day is just getting started."
Rocky's Story
A Story of Infant Abdul
Rocky's Story
“The arrival of the Americans changed my life. I was fifteen and able to get a good job. I cleared mines left behind by the Russians. The Russians left mines everywhere, so I had steady full-time work. As a child, I remember in the quiet of night, especially during the coldest part of winter, we could sometimes hear the mines exploding. I
“The arrival of the Americans changed my life. I was fifteen and able to get a good job. I cleared mines left behind by the Russians. The Russians left mines everywhere, so I had steady full-time work. As a child, I remember in the quiet of night, especially during the coldest part of winter, we could sometimes hear the mines exploding. I always hoped it was an animal that stepped on it. Sometimes, they’d explode for no reason. Sometimes they’d kill people I knew.
In 2008, Rocky completed his “Combat Medic” training and began a three-year service with an organization that uses the underground moniker, Other Government Agency (OGA). He accompanied Americans and local commandos on clandestine missions. “I cannot talk about this period, sir. Please hope you understand. It is very private for security reasons."
Colonel Omer's Story
Colonel Halimi's Story
Colonel Halimi's Story
"Colonel Omer was halfway down the stairwell when he realized he left the binder with his certificates, awards, and his ticket to the United States on his desk. There hadn’t been time to even lock the door as his hasty departure was more of a reflex than a deliberate action. He ran through the MOD compound then through the main gate. Befo
"Colonel Omer was halfway down the stairwell when he realized he left the binder with his certificates, awards, and his ticket to the United States on his desk. There hadn’t been time to even lock the door as his hasty departure was more of a reflex than a deliberate action. He ran through the MOD compound then through the main gate. Before he exited the compound for the last time, he turned around to look at his office and saw, through the smoke filled office windows, multiple Taliban fighters rummaging through his office. His heart sank because he knew what they had found. They now knew everything about his two decades of service with the Americans and worse still, they now knew where he lived and had photographs of his wife and children."
Colonel Halimi's Story
Colonel Halimi's Story
Colonel Halimi's Story
“After the last plane left Kabul, the Taliban came looking for me and everyone I love. When they first came, I was hiding with my wife and my children in the basement of an abandoned building. They were heavily armed, and we had no way to defend ourselves. My father told me not to tell anyone where we were hiding because he knew the Talib
“After the last plane left Kabul, the Taliban came looking for me and everyone I love. When they first came, I was hiding with my wife and my children in the basement of an abandoned building. They were heavily armed, and we had no way to defend ourselves. My father told me not to tell anyone where we were hiding because he knew the Taliban would return. After five days, they came back and tortured my dad hoping to extract my location. The Taliban beat my dad severely, but he gave them nothing.
Shurali's Story
Colonel Halimi's Story
Shurali's Story
Shurali returned to Afghanistan in June 2018. Anxious to flex his wings and fly his A-29 in combat for the first time, he was cleared to drop two MK81 250lb bombs on a known Taliban drug manufacturing center in Ghazni Province. “I was so proud. I couldn’t wait to tell my family,” says Shurali, “My excitement ended fast. Once they learne
Shurali returned to Afghanistan in June 2018. Anxious to flex his wings and fly his A-29 in combat for the first time, he was cleared to drop two MK81 250lb bombs on a known Taliban drug manufacturing center in Ghazni Province. “I was so proud. I couldn’t wait to tell my family,” says Shurali, “My excitement ended fast. Once they learned who dropped those bombs, the Taliban threatened to kill everyone in my family. For the next three years, everyone I loved had to change homes and cities every three to four months. It was a constant struggle to stay ahead of the Taliban scouts and their information networks. It was hard on everyone. I worried when I was in the air. I worried when I was on the ground.”
Mateen's Story
Abdul Malik's Story
Shurali's Story
“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
“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.”
Amooz's Story
Abdul Malik's Story
Abdul Malik's Story
Amooz told Operation Freedom Birds that his family is currently hiding in a new location. “They’ve already had to change locations several times. There’s 30 people living in a small room with limited food and limited clean water.” Amooz continues, “For food, two little girls (9 and 11 years old) are forced to leave the house and find as
Amooz told Operation Freedom Birds that his family is currently hiding in a new location. “They’ve already had to change locations several times. There’s 30 people living in a small room with limited food and limited clean water.” Amooz continues, “For food, two little girls (9 and 11 years old) are forced to leave the house and find as much food as they can every day. No one can buy anything because no one has access to money.”
Abdul Malik's Story
Abdul Malik's Story
Abdul Malik's Story
“Now that the residents of Helmand Province are in Kabul, I can’t walk down the street or go to the market because I'll be recognized as someone who worked with the United States,” says Abdul. “The Taliban offer a reward for anyone who helps locate the families in hiding. We burned every document, ID badge, and certificate I received from
“Now that the residents of Helmand Province are in Kabul, I can’t walk down the street or go to the market because I'll be recognized as someone who worked with the United States,” says Abdul. “The Taliban offer a reward for anyone who helps locate the families in hiding. We burned every document, ID badge, and certificate I received from the U.S. If they find me, they will kill all of us. My mom; my dad; and even my kids.”
Lieutenant Colonel Nabi's Story
Lieutenant Colonel Nabi's Story
Lieutenant Colonel Nabi's Story
“While assembling our aircraft, our Aghan Air Force Commander called everyone to the ramp and said Kabul had fallen. He told us to gather as many planes and pilots as we could then fly our planes to Uzbekistan. All of us had to abandon our families. There wasn’t a chance to arrange for their safety or even to say good-bye. I left my wife
“While assembling our aircraft, our Aghan Air Force Commander called everyone to the ramp and said Kabul had fallen. He told us to gather as many planes and pilots as we could then fly our planes to Uzbekistan. All of us had to abandon our families. There wasn’t a chance to arrange for their safety or even to say good-bye. I left my wife and children knowing the Taliban would kill the families of pilots who fought alongside and supported the United States. Pilots and pilot families are at the top of the Taliban’s most wanted lists. As a man, how can I look at myself in the mirror after making that horrible decision? I sacrificed, once again, for my country and for our allies. I never believed the U.S. would abandon us like this.”
Tolo's Story
Lieutenant Colonel Nabi's Story
Lieutenant Colonel Nabi's Story
“The Taliban were looking for me because I was helping the Americans. When they couldn’t find me, they went after my family to try and draw me out,” says Tolo. “They stabbed my younger brother six times. It’s a miracle he’s still alive. He was just an innocent kid.” The Taliban told him, ‘This is what you get for having a brother working
“The Taliban were looking for me because I was helping the Americans. When they couldn’t find me, they went after my family to try and draw me out,” says Tolo. “They stabbed my younger brother six times. It’s a miracle he’s still alive. He was just an innocent kid.” The Taliban told him, ‘This is what you get for having a brother working for Americans. Tell your family we will do the same to all of you.’”Tolo moved his brother from hospital to hospital because the Taliban sought to finish the job and kill him. It was a race to stay ahead of the Taliban’s scouts. Over the course of a year, he and his brother walked across multiple countries, border crossings, avoided countless security checkpoints, and hiked over part of the Himalayan mountain range until they reached an undisclosed country in Europe
Yasmoon's Stroy
Lieutenant Colonel Nabi's Story
Yasmoon's Stroy
“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 eve
“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.”
Amanda's Story
Amanda's Story
Yasmoon's Stroy
“Sam” loves Afghanistan and wanted to stay behind to protect his country and its citizens as long as possible. When we tried to get him out those last few days, he kept giving up his seat on planes to widows, pregnant women, and young children. He gave up his seat more than thirty times. And then the planes stopped.”
Rough draft rough draft rough draft
Overview
On August 15, 2021, the country of Afghanistan collapsed when the Taliban overran the capital of Kabul and effectively isolating the few remaining American forces to the boundaries of HKIA Airport. On August 30th, the last U.S. plane left Afghanistan in an ignominious exit abandoning more than hundred thousand American citizens, legal permanent residents, and allies who had earned the legal right to emigrate to the United States through a contractual process known as Special Immigrant Visa, Chief of Mission approved (SIV COM).
It was a tragic and humiliating event for those who spent two decades fighting to keep the Taliban out of power. Several days later, a former contractor friend contacted me asking for assistance. Aware of my service as a U.S. Army Ranger and fifteen years’ experience in and out of Afghanistan, he felt my twenty-two deployments could prove valuable. My friend stated he was connected to a volunteer group seeking to help Afghans which had applied for 501C3 status but had not yet received actual certification from the IRS. Known as Operation Freedom Birds (OFB), the leadership consisted of politicians, DC staffers, civilian exuberant youth, and silent investors. My initial impression led me to believe the primary points of contact were James Young, a Republican campaign strategist, and U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R).
Freedom Birds had an auspicious plan to save our stranded allies in Afghanistan through a series of overt flights out of the country - a plan I, as a Veteran with loyal friends left behind, wholeheartedly supported.
Freedom Birds invited me to join the OFB team as an “Escort,” and my role would involve meeting private chartered commercial planes (freedom birds) of Afghan refugees landing in Tajikistan or Uzebekistan, where I would confirm the manifest with Tazkira and Passport identification and then remain on the plane continuing to the United States. When I expressed concern about being unarmed in a plane full of unknown and unvetted Afghan nationals, the response shifted to how great the landing in the U.S. would be with press corps and civilian volunteers passing out American flags and coloring books to offboarding Afghan families.
Over the next few weeks, I participated in multiple conference calls per day and took copious notes. To my dismay, I realized a small, core group of people managed OFB, and they had never set foot in Afghanistan. They did not speak the languages and were totally unfamiliar with the various tribes and cultures. They also lacked situational awareness - both in Afghanistan and the continental United States as the plight of Afghan covered by the media was dwindling by the hour. In my opinion, OFB did not possess the knowledge nor the experience to succeed. I knew my role needed to expand beyond “Escort” if we were going to save Afghans.
I introduced OFB to my close friend and writing partner, Russ Pritchard. Russ is a professional writer and former Chief Marketing Officer. Together, Russ and I established writing goals to generate content and international awareness that would drive donations to permit OFB to expand and attract professionals that could fulfill the mission of bringing plane loads flights of Afghan refugees back to the United States.
We interviewed Afghans, hiding in Afghanistan from Taliban persecution. We knew individual stories would generate passion in the OFB mission and reignite interest in Afghanistan. We wrote copy for their website and controlled the information flow. We boasted “a-story-a-day” and adhered to that grueling operational pace for as long as we could. Russ called in a business favor and had OFB’s website professionally rebuilt. We spent countless hours interviewing stranded Afghans and wrote heartbreaking stories of their bravery, misery, and feelings of betrayal.
Our time was monopolized writing stories, locating Afghans to interview, and making connections. One day, a high-level U.S. Government employee, known as a GS 13 Subject Matter Expert (SME) reached out and said he had a contact in hiding with a story that needed to be told. Russ and I reached out to “Abdullah” who told us the story of the Khider District Massacre via WhatsApp. This was an all-stop moment.
Russ and I ceased all interviews and paused writing stories to focus on the Khider District massacre in which thirteen people were executed by the Taliban on the same day the last U.S. plane left Kabul. One story had been international news; one story no one knew about. We collected data and presented this information to James Young and several other team members from Operation Freedom Birds.
After a short deliberation, James Young stated this was a serious matter that could ultimately deny the Taliban a seat at the U.N. for “Crimes against Humanity.” However, to derail a deep-rooted Government narrative, one must arrive with undeniable evidence. James Young of Operation Freedom Birds promised to deliver the details of the Khider Massacre to various members of Congress and also to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. We were told we should be prepared to testify. Mr. James Young also promised to arrange a face-to-face interview between myself, Russ, and Condoleezza Rice concerning the Khider District Massacre. Young wanted more evidence, direct witness statements, more photographs, and detailed explanations of who was killed, by who, when, where, and why. He wanted a Power Point presentation prepared to organize the details of the massacre, and a shared file was set up by Freedom birds for multiple people to review, hone, and polish.
At the request of James Young, Russ asked Abdullah to obtain more evidence of the Khider Massacre. Young promised Abdullah and his 10 family members the first 11 seats on the first OFB plane out of the country if he could provide direct and corroborating evidence. Abdullah and his family were on the run and actively being hunted by the Taliban. Low on food, water, and options, Abdullah took huge risks gathering data on the Khider District massacre, which killed three of his family members to save the lives of his remaining family.
What happened in Khider District? What did Abdullah witness? Besides being Hazara, why were the Taliban hunting Abdullah? What did the Taliban want to keep secret?
30 June 2021
This date boasts two significant events in Afghan history. Most everyone remembers the last American plane to departed Kabul on the 30th. What no one knows about are the thirteen Afghans who were massacred by the Taliban in Khider District on the same day. With the threat of a horrific torture and death by the Taliban, Abdullah risked his and his entire family’s safety to obtain additional proof of the Khider District Massacre. Per James Young, completion of this task would result in Abdullah and his family being the first to come to the United States on a Freedom Birds flight.
We established Russ as the initial point of contact (POC), and Abdullah deluged us with evidence of the Khider District massacre. Photographs of the deceased victims, photographs of the victims while alive, biographical data on all, video of the bodies showing bound hands and in various stages of rigor mortis. Hand-written statements from eyewitnesses arrived in Dari and with English translations. For several weeks, the information poured in at all hours of the day and night.
Once we had received everything, I knew from my experience as an intelligence operative, that everything needed to be independently verified. Young also agreed the step was necessary prior to presentation to Congress so Russ set up a call with Abdullah and then exited the conversation. I put him through everything all over again to corroborate the initial evidence. Twice, Abdullah had to grind through the events and evidence to ensure integrity on our reporting process. He did it because he knew it was his only way out of Afghanistan.
Russ and I drafted the below 34 page PDF under the supervision of Young outlining the shocking details of the Khider District Massacre and its key-Taliban-players. Upon completion of final draft, Young assured us of an immediate Congressional response. It was a moment of unhinged joy.
I prepared my suit, a rare task for me, for the interview in California with Condoleezza Rice and subsequent meetings with various members of Congress prior to actual testimony. Russ and I were assured the ball was rolling while Abdullah’s family waited for rescue. We continued to interview Afghans and write stories for OFB waiting for the phone to ring to report to Washington DC. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months.
XXXXXXX Draft narrative. Expand on the following XXXXXXXX
Chain of events: Russ to Afghan Embassy – obtained office at Embassy – thought place was bugged
Reporter from VOA contacted us for info on Khider District Massacre – we remained quiet to protect Abdullah.
Amnesty International published story but was wrong.
Gary flew to XXX country alone – almost thrown in jail – jumped at bar.
Loren IG posts – Scott disconnect from OFB most overt way
OFB set up interviews at Embassy with other groups – Russ to remain apolitical – OFB didn’t like Russ wouldn’t bash Biden.
Set up Afghan Medical Corps for emergency medical response, “Safe Delivery” program to combat infant and maternal mortality rates
Set up Afghan Medical Corps to deliver food, wood, coal, winter clothing, install wood burning stoves in places of hiding for heating and cooking
OFB goes on major campaign promotion AMC and ASC, receives donations, does not release money for food / winter necessities.
Huge donor backlash.
Scott discovered another shark in a different group – Scott officially disconnected from all groups – only helping Russ.
Russ disconnects from any individual group affiliation (they all call him any way for med and food) and focuses on expanding on medical corps, food, and AAF and SMW.
OFB never operated one single flight – where did the money go?
For a month, OFB is collecting money for Ukraine – no flights there either and no refugee program established as of yet (Quote from OFB website front page.)
Abdullah left VM to Russ – passed to all AFG groups to spread word on self-serving opportunists. Highlight the irony of this OFB writing project presenting itself immediately after an article that heavily criticized the Govt.
INTERPOL
Under Construction. Story ongoing.
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AwareNow
Add text about AwareNow. Give brief description of the magazine and when they published the interview / podcast.
Link the article HERE and in the picture.
Authors
Scott Chapman is an independent journalist, author, former Army Ranger, OGA Blackwater contractor, entrepreneur, and an adventure seeking physics enthusiast. Scott is the co-founder of the Afghan Medical Corps and can be reached at Scott@ScottChapmanAuthor.com
Russ Pritchard is an independent journalist, professional writer, former Chief Marketing Officer, flight medic, triathlete, husband, father, and grandfather. Russ is the co-founder of the Afghan Medical Corps and can be reached at RussPritchard@Protonmail.com
