First CIA Officers Deployed to Afghanistan After 9/11
Twenty-five years ago, a Soviet-designed helicopter crossed the mountains of Afghanistan carrying the first CIA officers sent into the country following the September 11, 2001 attacks. This marked the beginning of the U.S. response that would evolve into America's longest war. The seven-man CIA team, known as JAWBREAKER, landed in the Panjshir Valley on September 26, 2001, just 15 days after the attacks, with millions of dollars in cash to help recruit and equip Afghan allies. Their mission was to gather intelligence and lay the groundwork for the impending U.S. campaign against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, which included strengthening ties with the Northern Alliance, whose leader, Ahmad Shah Massoud, had been assassinated by al-Qaeda operatives just two days before 9/11.
The Mi-17 helicopter that transported them is now displayed at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, where it has undergone extensive restoration in anticipation of the anniversary. Former CIA officer David Tyson, who followed JAWBREAKER into Afghanistan weeks later as a member of Team Alpha, recalls flying aboard the same aircraft before the war. He described the helicopter as shaky and noisy, unsure of its airworthiness, but the pilots assured him it was reliable.
The CIA acquired the Mi-17 in the 1990s, believing its Soviet origins would be advantageous in the region. Both the Northern Alliance and the Taliban utilized Mi-17s, which are often referred to as the pickup trucks of helicopters in that area. The choice of the Mi-17 over a Blackhawk was strategic, as it blended in better when operating behind enemy lines. Additionally, it was capable of handling the high altitudes required to reach the Panjshir Valley, which necessitated crossing the Anjuman Pass, rising approximately 14,500 feet above sea level.
The helicopter lacked a transponder to identify it to American warplanes, prompting the crew to improvise. They painted "USA" and an American flag on the tops of its stabilizers, visible to friendly pilots but concealed from enemy forces. Due to a lack of blue paint, the flag was left unfinished, and the helicopter was given the call sign "9-11-01" as a reminder of the attacks that led them there. The Mi-17 would go on to complete over 300 missions in Afghanistan, remaining operational until 2012.
Tyson, who was fluent in several local languages, was on a flight to the United Kingdom for a meeting related to the CIA's efforts to recover Stinger missiles when the attacks occurred. After landing, he began planning his return to Afghanistan, knowing his expertise would be needed. On October 17, less than three weeks after JAWBREAKER's arrival, Tyson and Team Alpha were inserted into a different part of northern Afghanistan, becoming the first Americans to operate behind Taliban lines. Their mission involved collaborating with forces led by Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum in the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
Tyson described the mission as unprecedented, requiring them to work closely with local forces to effectively conduct military operations. His primary role involved intelligence and liaison work, helping his team navigate the local environment. The Americans traveled with Afghan fighters on horseback through the mountains, often riding for up to 14 hours a day. Tyson recalled the challenges posed by the horses, which were difficult to manage and often aggressive.
Collapse of Taliban Forces and Rising Chaos
By late November, Taliban forces had largely collapsed in northern Afghanistan, leading to the surrender of hundreds of foreign fighters at Qala-i-Jangi, a historic fortress near Mazar-e-Sharif. On November 25, Tyson and fellow CIA officer Johnny Micheal "Mike" Spann entered Qala-i-Jangi to assess the prisoners, most of whom identified themselves as al-Qaeda members. Among them was John Walker Lindh, a California native who had joined the Taliban.
Shortly into their mission, a violent uprising occurred among the prisoners, resulting in chaos. Tyson described witnessing the events in what felt like slow motion. He heard Spann call his name and moved toward him through the turmoil, only to find Spann already down. Spann, 32, became the first American killed in combat in Afghanistan, and his name is now etched on the CIA's Memorial Wall.
Tyson managed to escape with Spann's rifle, which he continued to use throughout his deployment. This rifle is now displayed in the CIA Museum, alongside the boots Tyson wore during his service, which his son affectionately called "Dad's lucky boots." After its final operational mission in 2012, the Mi-17 was brought to CIA headquarters in 2018, where it underwent restoration to resemble its appearance in 2001.
Cleared for Release
The restoration process included sealing openings and repainting the aircraft to prevent further deterioration. The call sign "607," representing the Afghan pilot who flew the first mission, was also restored to help the helicopter blend in as a Northern Alliance aircraft while signaling to allied pilots.
For Tyson, these artifacts hold deep personal significance. He reflects on Spann's desire to be at the forefront of the mission, a sentiment that resonates with him to this day. Tyson continues to honor Spann's memory through his involvement with Badger Six, a nonprofit established in 2022 to support Afghan fighters and their families. Tyson feels a strong obligation to assist those who fought alongside Americans, especially after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which left many vulnerable to Taliban reprisals. He succinctly stated, "Sure, yeah. That's what people do. That's what we do."
