#230 Keith Stansell - Operation Jacque & Surviving FARC Captivity

Keith Stansell's life story unfolds from a turbulent youth in Florida to a Marine Corps career and counter-narcotics operations that ultimately led to his eventual captivity.

Stansell's Upbringing: Middle-Class Florida, Mother's Death, Turbulent Teens

Stansell grew up in Green Meadows, Florida, where his father worked as a director of a vocational education center, and his mother, a guidance counselor. His family, while not wealthy, lived comfortably in a middle-class ranch home on a sizable plot of land. They were a family that enjoyed traveling, especially camping trips in their camper. However, tragedy struck when Stansell was 14 years old; his mother died from lung cancer within the span of only six weeks, leading to a period of turbulence and anger for him.

Stansell's Rebellious Youth, School Changes, and the Marine Corps At 17 Providing Structure and Purpose

In the wake of his mother's death, Stansell faced instability, moving between five high schools in four years with a difficult relationship with his emotionally broken father. His rebelliousness and issues with authority grew, and despite having academic opportunities due to his gifted nature, he rejected conventional paths. Stansell's decision to enlist in the Marine Corps at 17 was a turning point that provided him with structure and direction during a difficult time.

Stansell's Service as an Aircraft Electrician in Counter-Narcotics Operations Led To His Later Captivity

Stansell's military experience positioned him for his later role in counter-narcotics efforts—a task that he pursued with patriotism and dedication despite its risks.

Stansell's OV-10 Bronco Work in Colombia Exposed Drug Trade and Guerrilla Realities

Stansell’s career path from aviation school through different military stations led him to work with the OV-10 Bronco in the Marine Corps. His expertise with the aircraft laid the foundation for his subsequent work in counter-narcotics in Colombia. Legislation changes thwarted his plans to re-enlist and become an officer, so he moved on to the Georgia National Guard and then to counter-narcotics.

Stansell recounts his transition to counter-narcotics work, initially assisting U.S. Customs and the DEA from Homestead Air Force Base in a program called Nimbus. He was later recruited by the State Department for an OV-10 spray program based on his experience, where his job involved chasing night targets as part of a small, committed group.

In Colombia, Stansell played an essential role in the drug war, flying missions with eith ...

Keith Stansell shares harrowing details of his experience as a captive of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), highlighting the physical and psychological challenges he endured, as well as the mechanisms that helped him and his fellow captives survive this grueling period.

Stansell Recounts Plane Crash and Capture by FARC, Interrogation, and Jungle March

Stansell recalls his aircraft being shot at by the FARC guerrillas and crashing in the dense Colombian jungle, where the terrain itself served as a prison due to its vastness and inaccessibility. In disbelief, he notes the visibility of the captives' camps from the air, yet they remained undetected. The guerrillas took him and others on a "three-week death march" through unforgiving jungle conditions, where Stansell suffered severe internal injuries, endured exhaustion to the point of collapse, and lost most of his toenails due to inadequate footwear.

Stansell Details Harsh Conditions, Inadequate Medical Care, Psychological Torment, Including Torture and Deaths During Captivity

Stansell describes the tough jungle environment, the terror of being shot at, and the deaths of his fellow captives following escape attempts. He reveals the camp's poor conditions, including the use of makeshift beds and primitive medical treatments. A grim incident that details the severe psychological toll and inadequate health care involves another captive, Clara, who had a C-section performed without proper medical procedures, leading to the breaking of her baby's arm during delivery.

Strategies to Maintain Sanity: Exercise, Chess, and the Bible

Exercise, chess, and faith were some of the coping strategies that helped Stansell maintain his sanity. He crafted a "jungle stair stepper" for physical activity, while another captive carved chess pieces, allowing them to hold chess tournaments ...

Keith Stansell recounts the nerve-wracking and intricately planned rescue mission that led to his freedom from FARC captivity.

Stansell Recounts the Rescue Mission, Coordinating Intelligence and Psychological Tactics to Disrupt Farc's Communications and Control

Stansell describes the complex operation to undermine FARC's control through a mix of intelligence and psychological tactics. He reveals that the U.S. government worked closely with Colombian intelligence to manipulate FARC's communication methods, particularly taking advantage of the FARC's reliance on HF radios for directing hostage movements. By severing communication links within the FARC command chain, the rescue operation was set in motion.

Stansell Recounts the Rescue, Confrontation With Farc Commanders, and Helicopter Extraction

Keith Stansell narrates a daring rescue executed without a single shot being fired. The operation, reportedly conceived by a young sergeant, involved deceiving FARC captors into preparing for the hostages' turnover, ostensibly as part of an official procedure involving the Red Cross. In actuality, it was a ruse by intelligence operatives who had infiltrated the FARC's network. The captors, misled and out of touch with their commanders, handed over the hostages to what they believed was a Red Cross mediation team. Once aboard a helicopter masquerading as a humanitarian aircraft, Stansell and his fellow captives sided with the rescuers to disarm their captors. Stansell remembers being psychologically profiled beforehand and how he later played a critical role in disarming one of his captors during the mission.

Stansell's Reunion With Family and Reintegration, Including Support and Attention for Him and Fellow Captives

Keith Stansell's reunion with his family was an emotional rollercoaster marked by moments of both overwhelming joy and intense guilt. He had a particularly touching reunion with his father and newly grown son, but had to face the reality of loved ones lost during his absence. Stansell took the lock and chain that had bound him as he left, a symbol of what he had endured.

Upon his return, Stansell notes the extensive support from all levels, including a reintegration program that helped him and his fellow captives acclimatize to freedom. High-ranking military officials, including a General, cooked meals as a part of the care provided, and everyday items such as cologne and clothes were given to help them feel respectable again.

The s ...

Keith Stansell's harrowing journey during captivity and subsequent release unfolds a story of resilience, change in perspective on relationships, and the critical need for long-term support networks in the transitions that follow.

Stansell On how Captivity Impacted His Relationships, Priorities, and Boundaries

Stansell On Self-Care, Boundaries, and Managing Relationships After Trauma

While in captivity, Stansell endured personal losses and significant events; he did not meet his twin sons, Nicholas and Keith, until they were five years old, and during his captivity, his relationship with his father was repaired. These changes in personal relationships highlight the profound ways captivity affected his life.

Upon his release, Stansell found solace and support within a community of former captives, and some resided close by, allowing them to maintain a solid support network. This close proximity to those who shared his experience played a crucial role in their collective adjustment to life after captivity. Despite the trauma, Stansell chose to view this transformation as a gift, allowing him to value real relationships more than before and to do things he might not have otherwise done.

Stansell subtly acknowledges the importance of self-care and boundary management post-trauma. He discusses the challenges of adjustment, like the tension felt when hearing a helicopter, and his shift from being unable to endure jungle scenes, which would have "wigged him out," to now being okay with them.

Stansell Prioritizes Long-Term Support and Reintegration For Veterans and Service Members With Physical and Psychological Wounds

Stansell reflects on the importance of a support system post-captivity, including each other and an "amazing legal team," which contributed to their ability to cope with reintegration challenges. His personal anecdotes demonstrate the ongoing process of managing feelings, readjusting to newfound autonomy, and the depth of psychological impacts. During his captivity, critical support came from the trusted attorneys who assisted in the veterans' reintegration, highlighting that having reliable people around is crucial.

Additionally, Stansell discusses the effect of his experiences on relationships. He anticipates becoming more selective, implying a shift in his priorities and boundary-setting. His approach to letting go of hatred to avoid being consumed by it illuminates the importance he places on maintaining a healthy mental state after such traumatic experiences.

Stansell remarks on the long-term needs of service members, emphasizing the humbling resilience he witnessed in a BAMSI burn unit and acknowledging the physical and psychological adjustments necessitated by permanent scars and disabilities.

Stansell On Support Networks' Role in Transition ...