Welcome to episode 11 of The Afghanistan Project Podcast. Last week, the Biden administration released a 12-page report about the withdrawal from Afghanistan. In defense of the report, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications John Kirby claimed “I just didn’t see [the chaos of the withdrawal]. Not from my perch.”

The community of veterans involved in the withdrawal from Kabul have been vocal in their condemnation of the White House report, and particularly of Kirby’s remarks. This week, we brought on four veterans involved with the evacuation of the Hamid Karzai International Airport to discuss the events they witnessed during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Aidan Gunderson from the 82nd Airborne, Bobby Barnhisel from the 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, Connor McMurray from the 10th Mountain, and Mike Markland from the 1st Battalion 8th Marines talk about their unique roles and perspectives around the airfield. We also discuss why it is critical to correct the official record of the activities surrounding our Afghanistan withdrawal.

Many of the observations and recollections in this episode contain difficult topics. We want our listeners to know that they are never alone, and that their service was and will always be meaningful. For anyone struggling and looking for ways to connect with other veterans who share their experience, please reach out to any of the following:

Operation Allies Refuge Foundation

PB Abbate

Fight the War Within Foundation

Veterans Crisis Line

About the hosts:

Mikael Cook was an Army non-commissioned officer and veteran of the war in Afghanistan. He was an active member of the #DigitalDunkirk movement to evacuate our Afghan allies in August of 2021. You can follow his Instagram @Mikaelcook89.

Beth Bailey worked in support of Afghanistan operations as a civilian intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army between 2010 and 2013. She is a freelance writer who has covered post-withdrawal Afghanistan extensively, primarily in the Washington Examiner. Follow her on Instagram @BWBailey85 or Twitter @BWBailey85.