Task Force Argo
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Task Force Argo is a U.S. task force consisting of a volunteer group of American veterans and citizens to evacuate U.S. citizens and families as well as Afghan allies and their families, following the fall of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. As of 19th January 2022, the group has evacuated 2,216 refugees.[1].
History
Task force Argo was founded by Jesse Jensen, on 16th August 2021 after being asked by friends employed by the U.S. State Department to bring together former U.S. veterans to poll intelligence on U.S. Citizens, legal permanent residents, translators and US allies that might still be on the ground in Afghanistan.
This effort culminated into volunteers using Signal and WhatsApp to gather intelligence on the ground and coordinate pick ups and extraction efforts for individuals having trouble accessing the gates due to large crowds and Taliban checkpoints[2].
Task Force Argo was able to get over 300 people out before the US forces departed Kabul International Airport. After the departure Argo adjusted to a new charter flight strategy and partnered with several Force Pineapple|other organizations[3] to charter flights out of the country for evacuees. As of January 2021, Task Force Argo has successfully evacuated 2,216 people from Afghanistan.
Leadership
Task Force Argo leadership is publicly represented by it’s founders: Iowa State Senator Zach Nunn[4], former JSOC Ground Force Commander (2nd Ranger Battalion) Jesse Jensen[5], and Munjeet Singh, an executive in a defence industrial base.
Task Force Argo is fiscally sponsored by Special Operations Association of America.
Argo’s roster of volunteers consists of Department of Defence personnel, active duty service members and veterans, current and former Intelligence Community and Law Enforcement Officers, elected officials, former special operators, intelligence analysts, military aviators, diplomats, defence industry executives, and other subject matter experts.
The volunteers continue to support Afghans by helping coordinate with Department of State initiatives, finding alternate routes, organizing medical efforts[6] and navigating through immigration processes[7]
References
- ^ https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/11/03/last-flight-afghanistan-518586, Politico, Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2021/09/27/lakeland-lawyer-hardam-tripathi-afghan-translator-family-escape-abu-dhabi/5882105001/, The Ledger, Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/private-groups-aiding-thousands-afghanistan-worry-about-dwindling-funds-2021-09-30/, Reuters, Retrieved on 2022-01-19
- ^ https://www.kcci.com/article/they-are-living-in-fear-des-moines-mans-family-still-trapped-in-afghanistan/38071790, KCCI Des Moines, Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ https://nypost.com/2021/12/15/state-dept-interference-grounded-afghanistan-rescue-flights-group-says/, New York Post, Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2022/01/18/us_aid_to_afghanistan_fails_to_reach_many_in_hiding_147042.html, Real Clear Politics, Retrieved on 2022-01-19.
- ^ https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/afghan-allies-struggle-to-navigate-chaotic-us-visa-process, Washington Examiner, Retrieved 2022-01-19.