The US Airforce is vindicating the crew that flew out of Kabul during the chaotic and abrupt evacuation in Afghanistan. Human body remains were also discovered on the wheels of the C-17 after landing in Qatar.
C-17 crew vindicated by the US Air Force
The US Air Force will not take any disciplinary actions against the C-17 crew. They flew out of Kabul Airport during the chaotic and sudden evacuation of American forces. As per the inquiry, the crew “acted appropriately” while departing from Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport in August 2021.
On Monday, they said the crew used rational judgment “in their decision to get airborne as quickly as possible when faced with an unprecedented and rapidly deteriorating security situation”. “The aircrew’s airmanship and quick thinking ensured the safety of the crew and their aircraft. After seeking appropriate care and services to help cope with any trauma from this unprecedented experience. The crew returned to flight status,” stated the US Air Force.
More on the Afghanistan evacuation
On August 16, one day following the Taliban takeover, hundreds of people reached Kabul airport. They came hoping to take the US aircraft and escape the Taliban rule. Videos and photos from the site showed desperate citizens running on the tarmac alongside the American C-17 aircraft. Several people were seen clinging onto the plane’s wheels and falling from the air when the plane was airborne.
“This was a tragic event and our hearts go out to the families of the deceased. As this incident occurred during an unprecedented evacuation where resources were constrained to ongoing security and evacuation activities, OSI was asked to conduct an inquiry to determine the facts surrounding the loss of life,” said Ann Stefanek. Stefanek is an Air Force spokesperson.
“The aircrew’s operational leadership also reviewed the details of the mission and concluded that the aircrew had acted appropriately and exercised sound judgment in their decision to get airborne as quickly as possible when faced with an unprecedented and rapidly deteriorating security situation,” added Stefanek.