In memoriam to a fallen brother: Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel Nine Line News Team March 12, 2020 Nine Line News 1,647 The murderous treachery on the morning of March 11, 2013 in the rugged and remote Jalrez District of Wardak Province in Afghanistan seemed to materialize out of the thin mountain air. Was it planned in advance, or executed on the fly? We may never know. But on that morning, a so-called ally, an Afghan National Policeman was nowhere to be seen when a 20-year-old insurgent jumped on the back of an Afghan police pickup truck and began firing the machine gun mounted on the truck bed. Captain Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel – “PK” — was wrapping up his patrol briefing and never saw it coming. He was mortally wounded with a shot to the back of the head. Andrew was only 29. Also killed was 26-year-old Staff Sgt. Rex Schad of Oklahoma and the team’s Military working dog, BAK. Andrew and his Special Forces teammates were in the violent Jalrez District, south of Kabul to help improve the training and mentoring of the Afghan police and military, as part of the transition plan for U.S. withdrawal. He was betrayed by the very people he was sent to assist. Andrew Pedersen-Keel – “PK” to those who loved him – entered the U.S. Army in 2006 after earning a Bachelor of Science in American Legal Studies from the United States Military Academy and being commissioned, Andrew entered the United States Army in May of 2006. As an Infantry Officer, he deployed with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment in support of OEF IIX and IX as an executive officer in June of 2008. He was selected for a second platoon leadership position in September 2008 with 3rd Platoon, B Company. In Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Andrew led his platoon in over 150 combat foot patrols and three air assault operations in an area of operations that included five different villages. In November 2009, Andrew attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection and during his Special Forces Qualification Course studied Pashto, one of the two official languages of Afghanistan. Andrew graduated from his Special Forces Qualification Course in 2011 and was deployed to Afghanistan in August 2012 as an (Operational Detachment Alpha) ODA Commander. At the time of his death, Andrew was serving as team leader of ODA 3126. To honor and remember the life, bravery, and humanitarian spirit of their son, Andrew’s parents created APK Charities. According to their official website, “we seek to raise awareness and support for our active, retired, wounded and fallen warriors and their families and to provide financial aid and material assistance to charitable organizations and causes. APK Charities mission is to serve as a bridge connecting our society and our Armed Forces, opening our hearts and minds to serve those who protect us.” At Nine Line we will always carry the memory of PK in our hearts. Tyler Merritt, Nine Line’s CEO, graduated in the same class at West Point with PK, and shared the same circle of friends. And Nine Line honors a similar mission. In the military, a Nine Line is a medevac request for a soldier injured on the battlefield. To soldiers, a Nine Line symbolizes patriotism, hope, and trust in one’s countrymen. At its core, Nine Line is a give-back organization, forever striving to be our brother’s keeper, and encouraging others to do the same. We support a multitude of initiatives designed to raise awareness, and financially back organizations that help those in need. From first responders to military charities to disaster relief initiatives, Nine Line is committed to ongoing support of charitable initiatives. No matter the circumstances, we’ve got your six.
