Air Force JTAC Reveals How a Secret Mission in Afghanistan Turned Out to Be a Diversion

In this short episode of Mike Drop, host Mike Ritland interviews a former US Air Force JTAC about early Afghanistan operations and the practical realities of calling close air support. The guest recounts a mission sparked by reports that a Pave Low helicopter had been forced to set down on an island in Afghanistan’s Kunar River after an in-flight refuelling mishap, with a quick reaction force also stranded and taking fire. He describes coordinating a CAS stack including A-10s and a P-3 while under artillery and small-arms threat, and says he later concluded the action served as a diversion for another operation when aircraft supporting a medevac he says he did not request moved north away from their position.

He also details a separate operation aimed at capturing a man he identifies as “Nor Muhammad”, describing an approach into a built-up area alongside Afghan forces, OGA elements and Australian SAS. He recalls declaring “troops in contact” while under heavy fire, engaging a DShK position with a SAW, and relying on experienced A-10 crews for reassurance and control under stress. The guest discusses platform preferences (notably Apaches), limitations on AC-130 availability, and language barriers with French aircraft.

Near the end, he describes returning to US state trooper work with additional supervision after deployment, and claims he later “engineered” his way from alternate status onto a 2003 combat jump into Iraq by leaning on an injured colleague to withdraw.

• Guest recalls Kunar River Pave Low incident and says a QRF was stranded on an exposed island under fire.
• He says he coordinated A-10s and a P-3, and describes dealing with incoming artillery and small-arms fire.
• He claims he realised the mission was a diversion after a medevac package moved north despite him not requesting it.
• He describes an operation targeting a man he calls “Nor Muhammad”, involving Afghan forces, OGA elements and Australian SAS.
• He recounts engaging a DShK position with a SAW and the stress of calling CAS while under fire.
• He says Apaches were a predominant and reliable asset; AC-130 support was constrained by approvals and basing.
• He says he ‘engineered’ his way onto a combat jump into Iraq after being told he was only the alternate.