Afghan refugee arrives in Tucson with help from Air Force veteran

Air Force veteran helps Afghan refugee make it to Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. - An Afghan refugee has safely arrived in Arizona thanks to an Air Force veteran he once worked alongside with overseas.

Hazem Amiry arrived at Tucson International Airport greeted by a crowd waving signs and a familiar face: Tony Short.

The two met in Afghanistan back in 2014, and Hazem helped when it mattered most - during an insider attack.

Tony had the chance to return the favor when Kabul fell, and worked with a nonprofit to get him to the United States.

"We actually removed about 15 Taliban in what we considered insider threats," Short said. "So, yes, I believe the Taliban would have been looking for him."

"I don't know how to explain this," Amiry said. "When I saw him, I [was] happy about that."

An Air Force widow recently donated her husband's car to the family, and a mechanic is fixing it up for free. Hazem's family will join him as soon as he secures housing.