Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Devil Child

(2,728 posts)
Fri Aug 27, 2021, 04:17 PM Aug 2021

US special operations vets carry out daring mission to save Afghan allies

With the Taliban growing more violent and adding checkpoints near Kabul's airport, an all-volunteer group of American veterans of the Afghan war launched a final daring mission on Wednesday night dubbed the "Pineapple Express" to shepherd hundreds of at-risk Afghan elite forces and their families to safety, members of the group told ABC News.

Moving after nightfall in near-pitch black darkness and extremely dangerous conditions, the group said it worked unofficially in tandem with the United States military and U.S. embassy to move people, sometimes one person at a time, or in pairs, but rarely more than a small bunch, inside the wire of the U.S. military-controlled side of Hamid Karzai International Airport.

The Pineapple Express' mission was underway Thursday when the attack occurred in Kabul. Two suicide bombers believed to have been ISIS fighters killed at least 13 U.S. service members -- 10 U.S. Marines, a Navy corpsman, an Army soldier and another service member -- and wounded 15 other service members, according to U.S. officials.

snip...

After succeeding with helping dozens of Afghan commandos and interpreters get into the protective ring of the airport created by the 6,000 American troops President Joe Biden dispatched to the airfield after Kabul fell to the Taliban, the group initiated an ambitious ground operation this week aided by U.S. troops inside. The objective was to move individuals and families through the cover of darkness on the "Pineapple Express." The week-long effort and Wednesday's operation were observed by ABC News under the agreement of secrecy while the heart-pounding movements unfolded.


https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-special-operations-vets-carry-daring-mission-save/story?id=79670236

Respect to those on the ground taking initiative to save lives.

Task Force Pineapple

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
US special operations vets carry out daring mission to save Afghan allies (Original Post) Devil Child Aug 2021 OP
Shouldn't this kind of operation be kept secret until it is over? Midnight Writer Aug 2021 #1
Per the author, they witheld reporting until this operation was over Devil Child Aug 2021 #2
OK. I assumed since they were still active yesterday this was an ongoing operation. Midnight Writer Aug 2021 #3
Bravo Zulu ladies and gents. denbot Aug 2021 #4
 

Devil Child

(2,728 posts)
2. Per the author, they witheld reporting until this operation was over
Fri Aug 27, 2021, 05:48 PM
Aug 2021
"The week-long effort and Wednesday's operation were observed by ABC News under the agreement of secrecy while the heart-pounding movements unfolded."


Seems there was an understanding of sorts. But, I agree with you in spirit
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»US special operations vet...