Members of the C-17 flight crew that went viral while helping evacuate people from Afghanistan in August are opening about the mission for the first time.In an interview forNBC Nightly News with Lester Holton Friday, members of the crew offered insight into the chaos that unfolded during the withdrawal after the Taliban took control of the county.On Aug. 15, the crew took more than 800 people onto the C-17 — which typically carries around 350 individuals — as those looking to escape Afghanistan flooded the tarmac. An image of the flight subsequentlywent viral.U.S. Air Force Captain Mark Lawson toldNBC Nightly Newsthat the crew “saw an opportunity to save lives” that day and took it.“Every life matters, right?” Lt. Col. Eric Kut agreed. “So we couldn’t sit there and say, ‘How do we determine where’s the cut-off line?’ We have to figure out how much we can fit.“Sgt. Isaiah Campbell / U.S. Marine Corps via GettyBeing a father, Kut added, “without a doubt” played into his decision to try and save as many people as possible.Upon taking off, Lawson said a “general sense of calmness” swept across those in the cargo hold. “You saw small children, they started to lay down and relax and even fall asleep,” he toldNBC Nightly News.Lawson even snapped a photo of achild sleeping aboard the planewhile nestled under the jacket of Airman First Class Nicholas Baron. The image has since also gone viral.Baron said it gave him pride “to give all those people another chance at life and provide them with freedom and hope.“By August 25, the U.S. reported it had evacuated orhelped evacuate about 82,300 people from Afghanistansince the fall of the country’s government.
Members of the C-17 flight crew that went viral while helping evacuate people from Afghanistan in August are opening about the mission for the first time.
In an interview forNBC Nightly News with Lester Holton Friday, members of the crew offered insight into the chaos that unfolded during the withdrawal after the Taliban took control of the county.
On Aug. 15, the crew took more than 800 people onto the C-17 — which typically carries around 350 individuals — as those looking to escape Afghanistan flooded the tarmac. An image of the flight subsequentlywent viral.
U.S. Air Force Captain Mark Lawson toldNBC Nightly Newsthat the crew “saw an opportunity to save lives” that day and took it.
“Every life matters, right?” Lt. Col. Eric Kut agreed. “So we couldn’t sit there and say, ‘How do we determine where’s the cut-off line?’ We have to figure out how much we can fit.”
Sgt. Isaiah Campbell / U.S. Marine Corps via Getty
Being a father, Kut added, “without a doubt” played into his decision to try and save as many people as possible.
Upon taking off, Lawson said a “general sense of calmness” swept across those in the cargo hold. “You saw small children, they started to lay down and relax and even fall asleep,” he toldNBC Nightly News.
Lawson even snapped a photo of achild sleeping aboard the planewhile nestled under the jacket of Airman First Class Nicholas Baron. The image has since also gone viral.
Baron said it gave him pride “to give all those people another chance at life and provide them with freedom and hope.”
By August 25, the U.S. reported it had evacuated orhelped evacuate about 82,300 people from Afghanistansince the fall of the country’s government.
source: people.com
