When an Attack Broke Out on C-17 Flight Deck During Afghan Airlift, Airmen Knew Exactly What to Do

The American crew members of a C-17 transport aircraft are being awarded for their role in the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation — in particular, for a flight in which the passengers they were evacuating from the country tried to storm the aircraft’s cockpit.

More than 450 Afghans had been allowed onto the August 2021 flight from Kabul Airport as the country capitulated to the Taliban.

Speaking to Task & Purpose, Senior Airman Kimberly Heiser recounted a flight fraught with the Afghan evacuees’ aversion to American culture — including the concept of treating women with respect.

“It was a struggle to have our interpreter respected or even heard,” Heiser said of the evacuees’ treatment of the in-flight female interpreter.

“As a female crew member, I also was not treated very well, and it’s again a cultural difference,” she said.

Trending:

Massive Migrant Caravan Marches Toward US with LGBT Flags Flying as Mexican President Snubs Biden at Summit

A passenger Heiser described as “a 16-year-old mother” began experiencing a medical emergency as the aircraft was waiting to land at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Many evacuees reacted with hostility after the aircraft’s commander authorized his crew to take the ailing mother to the aircraft’s cockpit for medical treatment — a decision that gravely defied Air Force protocols, according to Task & Purpose.

In a shocking development, two of the Afghans on the flight reacted to the medical treatment of the female passenger with an attempt to storm the aircraft’s flight deck.

An Air Force loadmaster and another airman had to physically restrain the men — as a crew member stood inside with a service pistol in the event they accessed the cockpit.

Should these airmen be recognized for their service?

Yes: 0% (0 Votes)

No: 0% (0 Votes)

The crew of the flight — callsign Reach 651 — was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony at Travis Air Force Base in California on Dec. 9.

The aircraft’s commander, Maj. Drew Dela Cruz, hailed his crew’s composure in a situation that could’ve taken a dramatic turn for the worse, according to a news release about the award ceremony.

“I am extremely proud of my crew for their…

Source