Keystone Today

State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Chambersburg), Republican nominee for Pennsylvania governor, reflected on the Biden administration's withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan one year ago.

In August of 2021, the Biden administration executed a withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, which led to the deaths of 13 American service members in Kabul, ABC 12 News reported.

Biden's office originally claimed that about 100 Americans had been left behind, but a new report from Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee states that more than "800 American citizens, thousands of green-card holders and tens of thousands of Afghans who directly aided the 20-year U.S. military campaign" remain in Afghanistan.

“Today I am reflecting upon the one-year anniversary of the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Mastriano said in a press release. “The sadness is still palpable and real. Yet this pales in comparison to the grief of the families of the 2,312 Americans who lost their lives throughout the war, the anguish of the 20,066 who were wounded and the 13 Marines who were killed during the chaotic exit.

“During my 30-year career in the U.S. Army, I had the honor of serving in Afghanistan for three different deployments, where I led a NATO unit comprised of about 80 men and women from 18 different nations. One of my most cherished memories was a mission to help Afghan children in orphanages. We delivered pallets of clothing, blankets, food, toys and toiletries to bring some relief to the kids. Today I am thinking of those orphans (most who are now adults) now living under the horror of Taliban leadership.

“The end of the mission in Afghanistan should not have occurred this way. The Biden administration’s chaotic retreat of American forces from Afghanistan during the height of the annual fighting season was the epitome of madness. The cut-and-run strategy proved to be the greatest failure of American foreign policy since the fall of Saigon in 1975. It’s not a coincidence that Vladimir Putin took notice of our weakness in calculating his decision to invade Ukraine a few months later.

“To my fellow veterans of the Afghanistan War, I thank you for your commitment and sacrifice. You answered the call after our nation was attacked on 9/11. You held back the forces of darkness and gave a generation of Afghans hope. You were willing to give your all for our nation and our people. There is no greater love than this.”

Mastriano is a retired U.S. Army Colonel who currently serves as the state senator for Pennsylvania’s 33rd District. According to his website, Mastriano holds four master's degrees in strategy, strategic intelligence, military operations and airpower, and also holds a PhD in history. He has been featured on multiple national radio programs, as well as Tucker Carlson, C-Span and Fox Business with Stuart Varney.

Mastriano beat eight challengers to win the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race, according to Ballotpedia. Mastriano will face off against Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D) in the Nov. 8 general election.