As a cultural ambassador, he had volunteered for combat in Afghanistan where the naval aviator, who pilots helicopters, has built stronger relationships.
In his role as an “Afghan Hand,” he provided guidance on the connection between the U.S. And Afghan armed forces in Afghanistan, including their culture, politics, and military matters. He relied on his Afghan counterparts, trained with them, taught them, and flew alongside them as an air adviser stationed at Kandahar Airfield. Additionally, he embraced the opportunity to learn the Dari language and gained valuable insights into Afghanistan’s history and politics throughout a challenging year of combat training.
In the United States, there is a passion that has emerged from gratitude, respect, and genuine affection, aiming to assist in the resettlement of Afghan evacuees who bravely assisted America’s military and put their own lives at great risk, with the ultimate goal of leading fulfilling lives.
The President of American Airlines’ Phoenix hub, who is also the director of local government affairs, is now back home in Arizona after a day of work. However, he continues to fly as a naval reserve aviator.
Joe Biden appointed McCain to the Board of Visitors for the U.S. Naval Academy this year to investigate the condition of morale and discipline, the curriculum, teaching, physical equipment, financial affairs, and academic approaches, among other issues.
“Despite his personal accomplishments, McCain Jack, the late son of John S. McCain, has no intention of wiggling out of talking politics. In fact, he’s happy to discuss politics, and he invariably peeps through the lineage of his father, John S. McCain.”
Jack simply says that he is proud to serve as a trustee for the McCain Institute, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., Dedicated to advocating for human rights and promoting democracy.
I am trying to do good work and serve a cause that is greater than my own self-interest. If I were talking about someone I know who is running around and trying to do something that drives an old man nuts, it would be something that I would never want to be associated with explicitly… Because I can generally do everything to obscure the fact that I want to make that explicit association,” says McCain. “He speaks louder in the military, hoping his actions speak louder than words and that it takes time for people to figure out who he is related to.”
Deseret Magazine interviewed McCain regarding assisting Afghan refugees, kindness, and pursuing a passion that contributes to a greater purpose.
Deseret Magazine: Your curriculum vitae is extensive. How do you present yourself?
As you grow older, you realize more and more how much where you come from influences the person you become. I am also from Arizona, and it’s probably most interesting to me because I love being a veteran helicopter pilot. The things that have become a permanent part of me are working for the Navy on behalf of Afghan evacuees, working for the McCain Institute, or working for American Airlines. Depending on the context, I usually lead with the thing I am currently working on, which can be challenging to pin down during difficult times.
DM: Why is it significant for you to work with Afghan refugees?
We didn’t get all the people who deserved to be evacuated. It was a long and difficult process. When the collapse happened, I wanted to do everything I could to protect the people who protected me. I spent a year of my life flying alongside Afghan pilots in Blackhawks in Helmand and Kandahar, which are particularly dangerous neighborhoods. They protected me in a place where they didn’t have to: JM.
Presently, the pilots I traveled with and their families have arrived in Arizona. At this moment, we are indebted to them for everything we can provide, considering their willingness to risk their lives based on the assurances America provided them.
DM: How many aviators and how did you assist in bringing them here?
In August 2021, I played a minor role within a massive operation. I possessed local connections and fluency in the relevant language. My responsibility involved coordinating these individuals, determining their whereabouts, and facilitating their relocation to advantageous positions for evacuation across various areas. This encompassed around 60 aviators and a combined total of 250 Afghan individuals, comprising both pilots and their family members.
DM: Do you keep in contact with any of them?
I am in very close contact with almost all of them, trying to help them improve their situations, get educated children, and integrate into a society where they can live a safe and stable sustainable life.
DM: Did the organization oversee the evacuation?
The duration during which they receive care is extremely brief due to the functioning of the refugee system in the United States. The International Rescue Committee, one of the organizations that assisted them upon their arrival in the U.S., Provided for some of their fundamental requirements. Each individual was simply doing whatever they were capable of. The execution of their actual evacuation, however, was highly organized. JM
They should receive the appropriate consequences, I am making an effort to assist them. These individuals are not your typical evacuees; rather, they are all well-educated men and women who held important positions in the Afghan military.
DM: Do you value the significance of repaying debts and maintaining honor?
Doing the correct thing can be challenging in situations where guidance may not be readily available, especially when dealing with complex and obscure concepts that are crucial because they provide important principles. The notion of honor is a particularly intriguing concept that varies across international, national, and personal levels.
The idea of character and honor is simply doing the right thing, even when there is no one looking. You can see this throughout your personal life and throughout history. Sometimes, the most popular line is to hate that line because everyone is looking.
I frequently discuss the importance of civility. It appears to be even more relevant. I’m uncertain if this is a matter of perception or actuality. However, interpersonal and political civility, particularly, are tremendously significant, not only for reducing the intensity of conversations. In the absence of civility, it becomes effortless to engage in a back-and-forth exchange instead of engaging in legislative processes in the political realm.
Cooperation is essential in legislating for you. It is important to respect individuals from different backgrounds and to listen to their perspectives. It is crucial to work together and find common ground. It is imperative not to turn a blind eye to the issues at hand, which is why governments at both national and local levels often experience political gridlock.
Politeness is very important and precious to me.
DM: Besides politics, where else do you observe rudeness?
I think it would be helpful for all of us to consider reframing ourselves when it comes to the intersection of media, news, politics, and even social discourse. I’m not trying to sell anything or make a pitch, but I believe it’s important to watch the consequences closely if we were to say things that we wouldn’t necessarily say if we were face-to-face with someone, seeing them in person rather than interacting as faceless, nameless avatars. I believe it becomes easy to say things when you’re not physically with the person you’re communicating with. I think it’s very valuable to prioritize civility in social media. Personally, I spend a significant amount of time on social media platforms.
DM: What difficulties do you observe individuals encountering?
Uncertainty can quickly become a problem, whether it’s feeling unsure about certain ideas or discussing inflation. However, it is important to note that uncertainty is just one aspect of the broader stroke of things. Everyone’s circumstances vary slightly.
I think it has myriad influences and causes, and maybe it gives you a bit of a tunnel vision if you were able to look further ahead, you might not make the same decisions. It’s a difficult way to live, lacking certainty.
An open market of concepts is the optimal approach for ideas to improve. It could be argued that it’s not solely a matter of distrust, but rather the abundance of diverse information sources. Individuals have ceased to rely on their usual sources of information and have begun seeking alternatives. I do perceive a deficiency in politeness among individuals in both government and personal media as an issue.
I’m unable to see another symptom of our inability to talk to one another, but I do believe that there should be some form of censorship or restriction on anything that is too intimate.
DM: What are the vibrant illuminations in your life at the moment?
I’m incredibly happy about it when you are not prepared and when you are not given resources to thrive, and it is almost an impossible feat to integrate into an alien society. The circumstances of Afghan humanitarian parolees are the darkest and brightest light, also the perfect duality.
We have not followed through. However, it is also concerning that such an endeavor took place. It is an astounding statistic that 70,000 to 100,000 Afghans are currently being evacuated. Nevertheless, it requires a greater undertaking due to the immense number of compassionate and eager individuals who have volunteered to assist. Having served as a cultural advisor in Afghanistan, I am fully cognizant of the challenges involved in assimilating into a different society.
I would also like to express that I am happy to be employed gainfully. I am still able to fly to Arizona on weekends and am happy to be living there. I enjoy it because it’s exciting, dangerous, and difficult. It’s fun because of that. Even if it’s not full-time, I am still able to give back. Sometimes, two weeks a year and one weekend a month is good enough.
DM: Can readers have an impact on those displaced individuals?
Afghanistan would find it impossible to live under a degree of uncertainty that would arise if they were to get deported in less than a year, if they don’t know. The United States codifies and provides resources for their legal status. There are plenty of people who are worried about vetting and fixing this problem. The legislation fixes a lot of problems we’ve had since their arrival. If any reader feels compelled or desires to call their congressmen, burn up phone lines, or send emails to raise awareness on this issue, they should. It’s called the Afghan Adjustment Act. It’s stalled, but it has been worked on by a massive number of people through tears, sweat, and blood. There is a piece of legislation that has not been passed. Absolutely: JM.
I would also say that something else could be as contrasting from their residence as a location they find themselves in, given that they merely exhibit a welcoming countenance, inquire about their requirements, or extend a helping hand to Afghan asylum seekers in your locality, in case you encounter or have knowledge of them.
DM: Any final remarks?
The guiding principle bestowed upon me by my father, JM, was to discover and dedicate oneself to a purpose that surpasses personal desires, no matter the endeavor.
This article is featured in the January/February edition of Deseret Magazine. Find out more about how to become a subscriber.