Congress Honors Civilian-Led Team That Evacuated 17,000+ from Afghanistan in 2021

This Congressional Resolution is straightforward: it’s a formal thank you and official recognition of a specific group of 13 people—12 Special Operations veterans and one civilian woman, Sarah Verardo—for their extraordinary, independent efforts during the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation.

The Unofficial Rescue Mission

This resolution is essentially Congress putting on the record the story of a private team, led by veteran Chad Robichaux, who stepped up when the official evacuation was in chaos. The core action being recognized is the team’s success in organizing the rescue of over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. This wasn't a government operation; it was a civilian-led effort fueled by former military members who felt a duty to help their Afghan allies, starting with Robichaux’s former interpreter, Azizullah Aziz.

The Real-World Impact: Saving Strangers

For most people, the 2021 withdrawal was a distant, chaotic event on the news. This bill highlights the real, on-the-ground human impact. It specifically commends team members like Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, and Dave Johnson, who ran non-stop rescue operations at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) for 10 days, saving over 12,000 people without official security backup. Think about that: these were private citizens operating in a war zone, putting their lives on the line to get people out of a closing airport. Even after the main gates closed, the team continued remotely, rescuing another 5,000 people through alternative routes.

Establishing New Routes, New Hope

The resolution also highlights the dangerous work of Chad Robichaux and Staff Sergeant Dennis Price, who conducted a 10-day reconnaissance mission along the Tajikistan border. They literally swam into Afghanistan at night, dodging hostile forces, to set up safe evacuation routes for women and children still trapped. The resolution notes that these routes are still being used today. This provision recognizes that this team didn't just deal with the immediate crisis; they established lasting infrastructure for ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Why This Matters

This resolution doesn’t create new law, spend money, or change policy. Its sole purpose is to formally record the valor and dedication of these individuals—including Joe Robert, Dan Stinson, Kevin Metcalf, Nick Palmisciano, Hunter Robichaux, and Sean Lee—in the Congressional Record. It’s a powerful acknowledgment that when government resources were stretched thin, private citizens stepped into the breach to fulfill a promise to allies. For those who value service and dedication, this resolution ensures that this extraordinary, independent effort is permanently recognized by the nation.