IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1046 

Honoring the brave men and women who participated in the Afghanistan 

evacuation in 2021 following the United States withdrawal, for their 

extraordinary efforts and exceptional service in the safe evacuation of 

over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, and for other 

purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 29, 2024 

Mr. NORMAN (for himself, Mrs. MILLER of Illinois, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. 

GIMENEZ, Mrs. SPARTZ, and Mr. MOONEY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the brave men and women who participated in 

the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021 following the United 

States withdrawal, for their extraordinary efforts and 

exceptional service in the safe evacuation of over 17,000 

people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, and for 

other purposes. 

Whereas the events of August 2021 marked a significant 

turning point in the history of United States engagement 

in Afghanistan, as the Nation underwent a process of 

withdrawal after over two decades of military presence; 

Whereas, over the course of those 20 years, countless men 

and women in uniform made tremendous sacrifices to upVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:13 Feb 29, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1046.IH HR1046

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•HRES 1046 IH 

hold the principles of democracy and freedom while also 

honoring the promises made to the Afghan people to 

build a safer and more prosperous country; 

Whereas among these exceptional individuals were the 13 individuals who participated in the Afghanistan evacuation 

in 2021, serving as a beacon of hope and demonstrating 

unwavering dedication to the ideals of the United States; 

Whereas, when the final withdrawal was announced, Chad 

Robichaux knew he needed to act, as his combat interpreter, Azizullah Aziz, who had saved his life on countless 

occasions throughout his 8 deployments to Afghanistan 

as part of a Joint Special Operations Task Force, was 

now being hunted and targeted by the Taliban for helping him; 

Whereas, determined to save his loyal friend, Chad embarked 

on a mission that would bring together 12 modern-day 

avengers, all Special Operations veterans, and 1 determined woman to drop everything and rescue Aziz and his 

family from Afghanistan, and without hesitation, each 

member of the team agreed to join the daring mission; 

Whereas, in a matter of hours, Chad Robichaux assembled a 

team and made a crucial call to Sarah Verardo, the wife 

of a catastrophically wounded soldier from his service in 

Afghanistan, who miraculously secured their way to 

Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul, 

Afghanistan; 

Whereas the 12-man team quickly mobilized, with Chad heading to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to establish a 

humanitarian center for evacuees, and meanwhile, Tim 

Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, and Dave Johnson 

headed for HKIA itself, setting up a command center at 


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•HRES 1046 IH 

HKIA and nonstop rescue operations amidst Taliban-controlled territory, facing immense danger without a Quick 

Reaction Force (QRF), and in just 10 days, their unwavering efforts led to the successful rescue of over 12,000 

lives; 

Whereas, even in the face of tremendous adversity, the team’s 

dedication did not waver; 

Whereas, despite Abbey Gate being destroyed and the gates 

welded shut, they refused to leave, and over the next 2 

months, they continued their humanitarian efforts remotely, leading a coalition to rescue an additional 5,000 

individuals through alternate routes around the region; 

Whereas their commitment and determination made a significant difference during this critical time of need; 

Whereas Chad Robichaux’s mission did not end with the 

evacuation from HKIA, and after teaming up with Fellow 

Force Recon Marine and Scout Sniper, Staff Sergeant 

Dennis Price, he embarked on a grueling 10-day, 90-mile 

reconnaissance mission along the Tajikistan and Afghanistan border, swimming into Afghanistan every night past 

Taliban and Chinese soldiers in order to use their Special 

Operations experience to build evacuation routes for 

women and children still trapped in Afghanistan as Afghan Commandos attempted to move them to the 

Tajikistan border, and braving the treacherous terrain 

and encounters with foreign militaries, including Chinese, 

Russian, Tajikistan, and Taliban fighters, they successfully established routes that are still in use today, ensuring more people could find their way to safety; 

Whereas the valor and courage displayed by Chad Robichaux, 

Dennis Price, Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, 


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•HRES 1046 IH 

Dave Johnson, Sarah Verardo, Joe Robert, Dan Stinson, 

Kevin Metcalf, Nick Palmisciano, Hunter Robichaux, and 

Sean Lee during the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021 exemplify the very essence of United States promises to the 

Afghan people throughout the 20 years of war; 

Whereas their actions served as a powerful testament to the 

unwavering loyalty and dedication of the United States 

Armed Forces, reinforcing the Nation’s role as a beacon 

of hope and justice on the global stage, and their commitment to duty and humanity will forever be etched in the 

Congressional Record as a shining example of United 

States heroism; 

Whereas, under the exceptional leadership of Force Recon 

Marine Chad Robichaux, this remarkable team of Special 

Operation veterans took up the charge to protect and 

evacuate over 17,000 citizens and Afghan allies from 

Taliban-controlled Afghanistan during a time of 

unfathomable danger and uncertainty; and 

Whereas these individuals have dedicated their lives to protecting our country, putting their own lives on the line 

to safeguard others, and their heroism deserves great 

honor: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives, on be2 half of a grateful Nation, recognizes and thanks these cou3 rageous men and women for putting their own lives on 

4 the line and for their exemplary service in rescuing over 

5 17,000 citizens and Afghan allies from unfathomable dan6 ger. 

Æ 


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