Omar, rescued from Afghanistan, needs our help!

This is a story of military service, brotherhood, and generosity. 

Afghan Air Force Major Omar Stanekzai, his pregnant wife, and baby daughter were just rescued from Taliban persecution by Coalition Forces in Kabul. Omar and his family were rescued through personal sacrifice and efforts similar to those described in one of CNN’s most recent articles about this “Digital Dunkirk”. In today’s unfortunate events, Omar is one of many with a similar story, but it’s our story, and we want it to become part of your story too. The journey ahead is long and difficult, so we are requesting your support to help start their new life in the United States. 

As an attack helicopter pilot in the Afghan Air Force, Omar has supported US and Coalition Forces since 2016. He was notified by the Afghan NDS, prior to the Taliban takeover of Kabul, that he was on a Taliban Kill List. Omar and his family faced almost certain death if he remained in Afghanistan. Omar has flown over 3,000 combat flight hours fighting alongside US forces and he put himself in harm's way regularly, fighting for his country and supporting American forces. His dedication to service is the reason he was targeted by the Taliban, the reason he was evacuated, and the reason he needs our support now. 

Omar came to the US in 2014 to attend the US Army Flight School in Fort Rucker, Alabama. As fate would have it he was assigned as my training partner or “stick-buddy”. Omar and I spent the greater part of a year together, side-by-side every day, learning to fly helicopters. Omar and I were from completely different worlds, but we were living and fighting for the same cause. Omar’s spirit, driven by appreciation for America and his desire to fight for Afghanistan, was infectious. Not only was he a top performer amongst the Afghan students but he gained the respect of the American pilots that knew him. Omar is an incredible teammate and will be an excellent American. 

Thankfully, he and his family escaped Kabul and are currently making the long journey to the United States. They have only the clothes on their back - no money, no community, no home. Now is the time to come together and support Omar and his family for the sacrifices they made, his service to his nation and ours, and for volunteering to fight for liberty and justice.

All funds received will be used for the following purposes to support Omar and his family as they begin their new lives: 

- Clothing, Food, and Temporary Shelter
- Medical Support and Trauma Therapy
- Permanent Housing
- Employment Opportunities
- Education 

All proceeds from this page will go directly to Omar and his family through The Strike Foundation, a Veterans’ Organization based in Colorado Springs dedicated to supporting military aviation families. The Strike Foundation was founded by Doug Oss, Omar’s other “stick-buddy” and class leader in flight school.

If you are a business or individual seeking to make a large, tax-deductible donation, please register directly with The Strike Foundation vía this link . You’ll have the option to direct your donation to Omar and his family.

Special recognition must be paid to the efforts of Doug Oss. There were many heroes in our "Digital Dunkirk" version with Omar, including Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and State Department representatives that all helped, but Doug created the momentum and saw the mission through. Doug, thank you.