The Brave Technologist

Operation Pineapple Express Used Signal to Evacuate Afghan Allies

Jun 18, 2025
Scott Mann, a Ret. U.S. Army Green Beret and founder of Task Force Pineapple, shares his remarkable journey from military service to storytelling. He discusses the innovative use of the Signal app to coordinate the urgent evacuation of Afghan allies during the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. Scott highlights the significance of biometric data in military operations and its risks post-evacuation. He also touches on his award-winning play, Last Out, which aims to heal veterans through theater.
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INSIGHT

Biometric Data Left Vulnerable

  • US biometric databases in Afghanistan were left behind during withdrawal, falling into Taliban hands.
  • This enabled Taliban to identify and target Afghan commandos and special forces on sight at checkpoints.
INSIGHT

Signal Flattened Communication Landscape

  • Veterans used Signal like military secure systems for real-time, distributed communication during Afghanistan's collapse.
  • This allowed instant tactical coordination, information sharing, and rapid problem solving unlike past wars.
ANECDOTE

Signal's Role in Evacuations

  • Scott Mann and a team used Signal to coordinate evacuations by communicating passwords and tips directly to allies at Kabul airport.
  • They successfully evacuated Nizam using the password "pineapple" and then expanded the network to help many others escape.
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