Robichaux Details Brave Return to Afghanistan to Rescue Friend in ‘Second Edition’ Film

How One Veteran’s Powerful Story of Friendship Ultimately Led to Life-Saving International Missions in Afghanistan and Ukraine

PLANO, Texas, June 28, 2023 — Ahead of Independence Day, global storytelling organization, I Am Second and former Force Recon Marine, Chad Robichaux, provide insider details on how his choice to be obedient led to an expanded Special Forces mission overseas to rescue a close friend and others who had been persecuted by the Taliban. In this exclusive “Second Edition[JS1] ” film, Robichaux provides inspiration for others who feel God’s calling on their lives.

Previously in an I Am Second White Chair Film, Robichaux shared his powerful story of overcoming PTSD and restoration of his faith after retiring from the military. Throughout his time of recovery and creating The Mighty Oaks Foundation, Robichaux had also faced the difficult reality that his ex-military partner in Afghanistan, Aziz, had remained in increasingly grave danger as a justice-seeking Afghani national living in this “terrorist safe haven.”

“I can count three tangible times he saved my life, but I would say he saved my life every single day,” said Robichaux, fondly recalling his special partnership and brotherhood with Aziz from his time in the Marines overseas. “We were so close that when we were not operating, I didn’t go back to base; I went to Aziz’s home; I lived in his home with his family. We did life together.”

Although Robichaux was safe and back in America following his military retirement, he spent years with an increasingly burdened heart for his dear friend, knowing that Aziz and his family were living in constant terror, actively hunted by the Taliban. However, when the U.S. military was withdrawn in 2021, the persecution these Afghani military partners experienced was immediately exacerbated. With no ally protection or defense, these Taliban targets, like Aziz, were left behind to die.

“There’s probably one or two people in the world that I would cash in everything precious to me for, and Aziz is one of them” said Robichaux, recalling the very instant God moved his heart to action. “I’m here; my wife and children get to have me because he saved by life. I decided in that moment that we were going to go get Aziz.”

Compelled by friendship and divine obedience, Robichaux began plans to spearhead a bold special operations mission designed not only to rescue Aziz and his family, but to gather as many local Afghani allies, their families, Americans and Christians who would be persecuted as possible. From the moment this courageous decision was born, the process which ensued was “just not humanly possible,” yet, came together “miraculously.”

This rescue mission eventually inspired other rescue efforts, specifically when Ukraine was later invaded by Russia, allowing for many more lives to be saved and transformed. In fact, it was also within this mission that Robichaux and his team were able to rapidly reach and rescue Fox News’s Benjamin Hall after the catastrophic bombing that resulted in Hall’s nearly-fatal injury. This was all accomplished thanks to one man’s vision to help others, his obedience to God’s calling and the many divinely-governed safe paths along the way.

To watch the exclusive ‘Second Edition’ film, visit www.iamsecond.com/film/chad-robichaux-second-edition. For a deeper look into Robichaux’s full testimony, watch his first White Chair film.

About the Book: ‘Saving Aziz’

In this epic real-life story, Chad Robichaux details the incredible rescue missions that evacuated not only his long-time friend and interpreter, Aziz, but also more than 17,000 Afghans and allies who were left in the grip of the Taliban’s violent regime as the United States military withdrew from Afghanistan.

Saving Aziz gives the behind-the-scenes view of the evacuation efforts that saved thousands from the Taliban during a historic humanitarian crisis. In this gripping and eye-opening account, Robichaux describes his experiences with the deep, rich and complex culture of Afghanistan and its people; his direct interactions with those in the Taliban; his perspective on the twenty-year war that took place under four presidents; and his inside view of what happened in Afghanistan during the United States’ hasty withdrawal.

About I Am Second

I Am Second is a nonprofit launched in 2008 that ignites hope and inspires people to live for God and for others. Its website, iamsecond.com, features written and film-based stories of more than 150 athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who have stepped in front of the camera and declared, “I Am Second.” For information, visit iamsecond.com.