'Thunderstorm of the Worst Case'

An Air Force C-17 Pilot Recalls Leading the Last Formation of the Afghanistan evacuation.

Kimberly Johnson

Monday, January 24, 2022 at 10:13 AM ET

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U.S. Air Force C-17 pilot Major Kirby Wedan [Courtesy: US Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

Major Kirby Wedan recounted the intense exhaustion and profound emotional impact experienced by U.S. military personnel during the chaotic final days of the Afghanistan evacuation.
The operation faced unprecedented challenges, including an overrun airfield, limited specific Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) training, and the necessity to rapidly adapt to floor-load hundreds of evacuees per C-17 flight.
Crews overcame complex tactical obstacles, such as Kabul's high-altitude, mountainous terrain, which required specialized VFR departure procedures and real-time pilot judgment to safely maximize aircraft capacity.
Wedan emphasized the unwavering dedication, professionalism, and ingenuity of all airmen involved, from flight crews to ground support, who ensured the mission's success despite immense pressure and logistical hurdles.

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Editor’s Note: On August 30, 2021, the last round of U.S. military airplanes filled with troops and civilians departed Kabul, marking the end of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. During the Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO), military flights evacuated an estimated 124,000 people from Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force C-17 pilot Major Kirby Wedan led the last formation of aircraft out of Afghanistan. Here is her story of that day, lightly edited and as told to FLYING.

I guess, like any exercise I’ve trained for, it all started kind of the day prior. We had a brief for all the crews, we had a bigger picture operation brief, and then the C-17-specific brief for the crews executing, and then everyone was sent to crew rest, just like every other exercise that we’ve trained for.