Operation Pineapple Express Used Signal to Evacuate Afghan Allies

Operation Pineapple Express Used Signal to Evacuate Afghan Allies

Author: Brave Software June 18, 2025 Duration: 39:52

Scott Mann, Ret. U.S. Army Green Beret and Founder of Task Force Pineapple, shares his journey from a Special Forces soldier to a storyteller and actor. He detailed his time as a Green Beret who helped form Task Force Pineapple,  a group of veterans who used technology to coordinate the evacuation of Afghan allies during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Key Takeaways: 

  • The role of biometric data collection in US Army missions and the Global War on Terror

  • How their unprecedented use of the consumer app, Signal, became a go-to resource for natural disaster management and special operations

  • The critical role of technology and veteran networks in crisis situations

  • His new creative venture: Last Out - an award winning play his touring on stages across the country to provide healing to Veterans and their Families

Guest Bio:
Scott Mann is a former U.S. Army Green Beret with tours in Colombia, Peru, and Afghanistan. He's the founder of Task Force Pineapple, a 501(c)(3) supporting Veterans and Afghan Allies, and the author of Operation Pineapple Express, a New York Times Best Seller. Scott also wrote Nobody is Coming to Save You, a guide to building trust and human connection in divided times. He also hosts The Scott Mann Podcast and is the playwright and star of Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret, an award-winning play honoring the sacrifices of our military community.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

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Hosted by Brave Software, The Brave Technologist is a series for anyone curious about the real human impact of our digital evolution. It moves past the surface-level buzzwords to ask how technologies like AI, machine learning, and Web3 actually affect everyday decisions, privacy, and the fabric of society. The conversations here are grounded and thoughtful, prioritizing the user's perspective in a landscape often dominated by abstract visions of disruption. You'll hear from builders, thinkers, and technologists who are shaping these tools, discussing not just what is possible, but what is responsible and meaningful. This podcast sits at the intersection of technology, business, and marketing, examining how these forces converge to shape our collective future. It’s for listeners who want to understand the "why" and "for whom" behind the code, offering a nuanced take that is often missing from tech commentary. Tune in for a deeper, more inclusive dialogue about the systems that are redesigning our world.
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