Air Force Lt. Col. Jayde Sharp Awarded Bronze Star, President Issues Statement of Remembrance

August 26th marks a day of remembrance for an incident that took the lives of 13 American military servicemen by ISIS-K.

Air Force Lt. Col. Jayde Sharp was unsure what to expect when he arrived in Afghanistan on Aug. 18, 2021, during the chaotic final weeks of America’s war there.

Lt. Col. Sharp had deployed to Hamid Karzai International Airport with the 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, a unit belonging to the 172nd Airlift Wing of the Mississippi Air National Guard. He was there to assist with the U.S. withdrawal after decades of conflict, a pullout that was becoming more unhinged and chaotic by the hour according to sources on the scene those final days. 

As an aeromedical evacuation officer, Sharp arrived expecting to treat sprains, heat exhaustion or even a local’s pregnancy as desperate Afghans thronged the airport where U.S. troops were struggling to maintain order

Eight days later, on Aug. 26, an ISIS-K suicide bomber detonated at the airport’s Abbey Gate, killing 11 Marines, a soldier and a Navy corpsman, along with roughly 170 Afghans.

“Mass cal’ rang out over the intercom,” Sharp told Military Times, using a shorthand for “mass casualty.”

Sharp’s mission changed in a flash. He leapt into action, helping to evacuate 38 badly injured civilians and fellow service members.

For his actions during the chaotic evacuation, Sharp received the Bronze Star.

“His remarkable performance and selfless commitment to his fellow comrades-in-arms and the local populace saved countless lives,” according to the award citation, which was presented to Sharp this month.

Flight nurses like Sharp do not typically provide medical care on the ground. When the explosion rang out, he left the safety of his medical facility to treat and triage casualties.

Sharp’s efforts saved the lives of multiple Marines, including one whose carotid artery was severed after being shot in the face and neck, according to the citation.

Sharp provided medical attention while exposing himself to the threat of additional attacks as well, the citation said.

At the airport medical facility, Sharp witnessed the 13 deceased troops come through the door. He then worked around the clock to treat others, hoping to prevent further carnage.

A statement was issued in remembrance of the Abby Gate incident by the Secretary of Defense...

Today marks three years since we lost 13 American heroes in the cruel terrorist attack at Abbey Gate outside Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport. Approximately 170 Afghan civilians were also murdered in that attack.

We will never forget these 13 brave Americans — 11 Marines, a Soldier, and a Sailor — who lost their lives defending their teammates and helping to save tens of thousands of Afghans seeking freedom and the opportunity for a better life.

Another year has passed, but our gratitude will never wane. My thoughts are with our fallen troops and their families on this somber day — and with the families of all those whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice during America's two decades of war in Afghanistan.

President Joe Biden also issued the following statement...

Three years ago, an ISIS suicide bomber launched an attack of deliberate evil at Abbey Gate outside of Kabul Airport—killing 13 American service members and more than 100 innocent Afghans. Today, and every day, we honor our fallen:

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover

Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo

Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee

Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez

Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page

Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui

Navy Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss

These 13 Americans—and the many more that were wounded—were patriots in the highest sense. Some were born the year the war in Afghanistan started. Some were on their second or third tour. But all raised their hand to serve a cause greater than themselves—risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, Allies, and Afghan partners. They embodied the very best of who we are as a nation: brave, committed, selfless. And we owe them and their families a sacred debt we will never be able to fully repay, but will never cease working to fulfill.

We also owe their brothers and sisters-in-arms—who served and sacrificed for our freedom and future during America’s longest war. 20,744 American service members were wounded. 2,461 made the ultimate sacrifice. They were sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, spouses and friends. No matter how much time passes, the pain of their loss will remain real and raw. And so will the pride we feel in their service. From the deserts of Helmand, to the mountains of Kunduz, and everywhere in between—these women and men worked alongside our Afghan partners to protect our nation. And deployment after deployment, tour after tour, they dared all, risked all, and gave all to keep us safe.

Today, our longest war is over. But our commitment to preventing attacks on our homeland—or our people—never will be. We will continue to disrupt terrorist activity, wherever we find it. We will continue to deliver justice to terrorists who plot against America—just as we have over the last three years with the leader of al-Qaeda and the global leader of ISIS. And we will do so without deploying thousands of American troops to ground wars overseas.

Ever since I became Vice President, I carried a card with me every day that listed the exact number of American service members who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan—including Taylor, Johanny, Nicole, Hunter, Daegan, Humberto, David, Jared, Rylee, Dylan, Kareem, Maxton, and Ryan. Because we must never forget the immense price that was paid for our freedom. We must never forget that each beloved service member we lost was a human being, who left behind entire families and communities. And together, we must never stop striving to be worthy of their ultimate sacrifice.

Today, we vow we never will. May God bless each of our fallen heroes. May God bless all those who served and sacrificed. And may He keep them and their families close—today and always.

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