6:00pm |
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The Female Tactical Platoon: From Afghanistan to Blacksburg
(Special Event)
In 2011, the Female Tactical Platoon (FTP) was formed as an elite unit within the Afghan army, composed of Afghan women who trained and served alongside US Special Operations Forces. According to author Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, "FTPs experienced more combat than 95% of the entire US military, going out on the most vital and most dangerous operations America was undertaking during the war in Afghanistan." When the Taliban seized control of Kabul in August 2021, the FTPs lives were at risk. 43 were evacuated to the US and have settled across the country, including Blacksburg. Their status in the US remains uncertain as the government has yet to regularize their legal standing. In this presentation, we have an exceptional opportunity to learn this story directly from the women of the FTP and those who have worked beside them.
Speakers:
Mahnaz Akbari, Former Commander, FTP
Azizgul Ahmadi, FTP veteran, Blacksburg resident
Soraiya Nazari, FTP veteran, Blacksburg resident
Rebekah Edmondson, US Army Veteran, PenFed Foundation
Scott Bailey, President, Blacksburg Refugee Partnership
Join us in person in Torgersen Hall 1060 or register for webinar viewing at https://virginiatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9ikEWfQJSq-B_SEvwqj6UQ
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