Īs the withdrawal and evacuation proceeded, Kryszewski and his colleagues had a feeling of helplessness. Kryszewski is the company’s chief of staff. Kryszewski cofounded Quiet Professionals with other veterans to provide mapping and technology support for military and intelligence organizations. “I met a lot of good people and formed a lot of close relationships, so this has all been very personal for me.” He was deployed to Afghanistan withthe US Army special forces in 2001 and did several tours there and in Iraq before leaving the service in 2009. “Two weeks after the Twin Towers fell, I was in Afghanistan,” said Leo Kryszewski. These tools could be used to help those people US forces felt indebted to who still remained in the country. Soldiers have become accustomed to communicating and collaborating across teams via shared maps. Imagery and digital maps have replaced paper-based products. The adroit handling of maps and location intelligence by these companies is providing a solid foundation for the work of other groups extracting people from Afghanistan.ĭuring the years spanned by the conflict in Afghanistan, mapping technology has leapt forward. Prompted by requests from US service members, defense mapping experts at two companies turned to GIS technology to monitor the situation and help connect people with ways out of the country. Most feared Taliban reprisals and an unacceptable loss of freedom. Some had worked as translators and in other support positions. Many of those looking for a way out were Afghan nationals who had formed close ties to Americans during the 20-year conflict that started soon after the terrorist attacks of Sept. While it was the largest airlift in US history, it still left behind thousands who feared for their lives as the Taliban forces advanced into Kabul.

When the last of the United States’ forces left Afghanistan in summer 2021, more than 120,000 people were evacuated from the country over a period of a few weeks.

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