Nov 24, 2022
As Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, it became clear that there was no plan to evacuate our Afghan allies – including Afghan National Army soldiers who trained and fought alongside the U.S. military. Over two decades, these allies had developed strong bonds with countless American veterans, and now they were being hunted by Taliban death squads. Scott Mann was one veteran who began receiving desperate calls for help from his old Afghan friends, and he decided to take action. Working with other veterans and citizens, they called themselves Task Force Pineapple and quickly developed a network of safe passageways for allies and their families. In just three days, they helped over 500 allies escape from Afghanistan. Scott gives us a thrilling inside account of how the operation happened. We also talk about unconventional warfare, experiences with “Village Stability Operations” in Afghanistan, and what the 20-year war ultimately means for America.
Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Scott Mann is a former US Army Green Beret with tours all over the world including Colombia, Iraq, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. He is the author of “Operation Pineapple Express: The Incredible Story of a Group of Americans Who Undertook One Last Mission and Honored a Promise in Afghanistan.” Follow him on Twitter at @RooftopLeader.