TAMPA, Fla. [August 26, 2024] — Grey Bull Rescue, a veteran-led nonprofit world famous for its daring high-risk international rescue missions in war zones all over the world, commemorates the third anniversary of its team’s first mission behind enemy lines to rescue Americans left behind in Afghanistan after the tumultuous U.S. military withdrawal. On August 22, 2021, Bryan Stern, the Chairman and Founder of Grey Bull Rescue and, at the time, the Founder of Project Dynamo, deployed overseas with a small team of veterans and patriots to evacuate American citizens and allies who were facing an uncertain and dangerous threat destined to be trapped in the clutches of the Taliban. That same original team continues to serve with him at Grey Bull Rescue, along with a team that has grown to over 80 members. More than 600 missions later, it all started with Bryan Stern’s vision three years ago this week.
With the world watching the fall of Afghanistan on TV, the U.S. embassy in Kabul evacuated, options running out, and hundreds of people asking for help, Stern stepped up to rescue Americans and Afghan allies where others could not. Vowing not to stand by and merely “watch” our fellow Americans in trouble, but compelled by honor and integrity, inspired by the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and his service as an Afghan war veteran, Stern and his team chose to act. Demonstrating unparalleled courage and resourcefulness, they became the first team to land and take off a charter aircraft in Kabul under Taliban rule after the U.S. military’s withdrawal on August 30, 2021. This marked a significant milestone for Stern’s team in what would become hundreds of rescue operations spanning the globe and saving over 7,000 lives.
Bryan and his team had already been running ground operations for weeks staging in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Northern Afghanistan rescuing hundreds of innocent civilians fleeing in fear when Kabul Airport closed on August 30 and all U.S. military were gone from the country, leaving hundreds of Americans and thousands of allies trapped with the Taliban.
This is when Stern’s team sprang into action achieving the seemingly impossible. In mid-September, just a few weeks after the U.S. government withdrew all U.S. troops from Afghanistan with hundreds of Americans and tens of thousands of our Afghan partners trapped with the Taliban, Stern and his team successfully flew the first charter plane into Kabul under Taliban control, rescuing 117 American citizens and their families, including 59 children and evacuating them from Afghanistan to Chicago under wildly dangerous circumstances. This first airborne evacuation operation remains a testament to the resolve and commitment of Stern and his team to protect American lives and uphold the promise of leaving no one behind. Since that first operation, Stern’s team has conducted more than 600 operations.
“We feel a deep responsibility as veterans to honor the oath we took when we joined the military to Americans and our allies to never leave our people in harm’s way. EVER. Our mission was clear and simple – find Americans left behind and get our people out,” said Stern, The Chairman and Founder of Grey Bull Rescue. “Despite the overwhelming challenges and imminent danger, we knew we had to act, and we knew how to do it. I’m humbled and honored that so many fellow veterans joined together to do what was morally imperative, sparking a movement that remains alive today of which my team at Grey Bull Rescue remains a global leader. So many Vets wanted to help, many succeeded; many tried and failed, proud that our team planned, never gave up, and achieved what so many could not. Sadly, many of our allies and American families remain stuck in Afghanistan, but we remain committed to getting them out.”
Three years after the first Afghanistan missions, Stern, who now leads a team of more than 80 Americans, including some of the most respected special operations and intelligence professionals in the United States hailing from the most elite units and agencies in the U.S. arsenal. The team has conducted more than 600 missions globally and rescued over 7,000 men, women, and children from the most dangerous locations in the world, including Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Hurricane Ian, the fires in Maui and Haiti.
Just recently, Grey Bull Rescue deployed to Lebanon and Israel launching Operation: SAFE PASSAGE, in response to the escalating tensions and war in the Middle East. The team set conditions for large-scale evacuations and clandestine rescues via ground, sea and air to evacuate Americans trapped in Lebanon, Israel and other parts of the Middle East. They conducted rescues of Americans trapped in southern Lebanon, deep in Hezbollah-controlled territory who were cut off from all available help, just like the hundreds they pulled out of Afghanistan three years ago this week who were without options.
“Our latest mission in the Middle East underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting American lives, no matter where they are or what the risks may be—leaving no one behind, operating at the “SPEED OF NEED” Stern added. “Whether it was Afghanistan in 2021 or the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, our commitment is with the American people and our donors who trust our efforts, and we won’t let them down. We don’t care where our people are trapped or why. We don’t care what we are called. All we care about is that when we are called, we are there for our people in trouble and give hope when all hope is lost. My team’s integrity and values paired with our honor and commitment to the Nation and transparency will never change. We will be there, on the streets, in the field, on the sea and in the air wherever and whenever called upon.”
Those interested in supporting Grey Bull Rescue’s mission to evacuate and rescue Americans and allies from conflict zones around the world can do so by visiting https://greybullrescue.org/. Supporters can follow Grey Bull Rescue on social media to track missions and updates from all over the world.
###
About Grey Bull Rescue: Founded and led by Bryan Stern, Grey Bull Rescue is a veteran-led, donor-supported international rescue organization and filed 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with global operations. Specializing in operations within “The Grey Space,” in conflict zones where the U.S. Government does not have access or a presence, Grey Bull Rescue conducts evacuations and daring rescues of individuals impacted by conflict, war, and natural disasters worldwide. Notably, Bryan Stern, the Founder and formerly of Project DYNAMO, led the first air-rescue missions from Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover and has conducted daring rescue missions behind enemy lines, rescuing numerous Americans from captivity, torture, and unlawful detention in countries including Sudan, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Haiti and Lebanon. These operations included the rescues of numerous American hostages including the first victim of war crimes alive since World War II. Additionally, the team executed lifesaving missions in the United States during the Maui wildfires and Hurricane Ian. To date, Stern and his team have conducted 617 missions worldwide and saved the lives of more than 7,000 men, women, children, babies and counting.