Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Army.When the battle ended after more than 12 hours, eight U.S. soldiers were killed and another 22 wounded. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor. I was not on the outpost when the battle kicked off. Even some of the dialogue is taken word for word from real life. The high mountains around the camp provided the perfect perches for Taliban snipers to pick off the soldiers. In the end, we gaveThe Outpost movie a Historical Accuracy Score of 8.5/10. These AAF were more professional and probably represented groups from areas outside of Nuristan. After assisting with securing the OP from potential follow on attacks, members of the Quick Reaction Force descended from the mountain's peak to COP Keating on foot. Captain Sylvanius Broward (Kwame Patterson), whom the men refer to as "Broward the Coward," shoots the dog to appease the elder and calm the situation. 3-71 Cavalry conducted many successful combat missions in the area surrounding the camp and repelled various attacks on the base. Like in the movie, the quick reaction force (QRF) coming down the mountain to help were shocked by the firey devastation. It seemed that it would get extremely intense, with a lot of fire, a lot of RPGs hitting the wall, and then it would die, McMurtrey told Air Force Magazine in 2011. [7]:95,268. SHAPLEIGH, Maine It's been nearly 14 years since Ken and Beth Keating lost their son, Army Captain Benjamin Keating, in Afghanistan. So first and foremost: The movie is based off the book of the same name. For the most part, yes. Gul Mohammed Khan, the government administrator for Kamdesh District, lived at the intersection of the Landay-Sin and Darreh Ye Kushtoz rivers. Then tragedy struck again. "The investigation concluded that critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets which had been supporting COP Keating had been diverted to assist ongoing intense combat operations in other areas," the report said. Armando Avalos, Sgt. At such time the platoon cleared the remaining areas of the outpost which members of 3-61 had not yet retaken. While exploring the movie's historical accuracy, we confirmed that during the real-life Battle of Kamdesh, Taliban fighters got inside Outpost Keating. Tim Quinton. Div. Given that her reticence led to her subordinates acting on their own initiative resulting in her plan failing, not really. Anyone can read what you share. Despite the efforts of two Latvian military advisors, First Sergeant Jnis Lais and Corporal Mrti Dboli,[21] who tried to convince the Afghan National Army forces not to flee,[22] the Afghan defenders quickly broke and ran. These subgroups were in turn divided into clans and sects, depending on lineages and the interpretations of individual religious leaders. When Captain Aaron Swain of Cherokee Co. had sounded out Afghan Border Police Commander Ahmed Shah about setting up near Kamdesh, he was told that HIG insurgents tried to blow up Shah's jeep on his last trip there and it was a bad place. To a man, they all felt they had an obligation to help out in those areas where they saw Portar as failing, but upon hearing their recommendations, the captain consistently told them, point blank, that he was the commander, not them. Formalized as "The Commitment of Mutual Support" the agreement also provided the Shura would provide local security in return for an end to uninvited American military searches of local towns and mosques. Another example of his leadership failure was his failure to tell his troops why he was banning hot meals at the base. [7]:21530, The closeness of the action, and coordinated fire from both sides of the valley indicated that the attackers in this ambush were different from the groups that had been using sporadic, long range, harassing fire. Insurgents had breached the camp in several locations, including at the main entrance, near the latrine area, and on the eastern side. This had the potential to boost the local economy, which had seen few civic improvements. Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, View Video of Taliban Fighters in the Camp. They did their jobs, and Im here because of what they did, but air support was definitely a must.. The movie was filmed in 2018 on a set created at the base of a mountain in Bulgaria, not far from the city of Sofia. Ty M. Carter pauses during a patrol outside Combat Outpost Keating, Afghanistan, where he was deployed with the 61st Cavalry Regiment in 2009. [7]:1238,1368,18191,407, Despite recommendations not to drive the large supply vehicle, First Lieutenant Ben Keating took the wheel while returning an armored supply truck to the Naray FOB. The assassin was later found in Urmul and appeared to have the assistance of one of the Afghan day laborers at Camp Keating and the acquiescence of Urmul's elders. Email us at atwar@nytimes.com. He worked throughout the battle, calling in strikes on enemy positions, even amidst a winter storm that blew in right at the height of the battle. It's at least the third time officers were disciplined after soldiers' deaths. In the wake of the attack, several soldiers based at COP Keating told ABC News that they did not know the attack was as large as it was because they received enemy fire with such frequency. During the highly risky convoy, the road collapsed under the weight of Keating's vehicle. Surprised they didn't frag him. Using a transfusion kit, Cordova began pumping his own blood into the wounded soldier, along with blood collected from other soldiers. He was managing care for five Americans and seven Afghans, treating gunshot wounds, head injuries, shrapnel wounds, chest and abdominal wounds, eye injuries and broken legs, all in a makeshift station. Lieutenant Keating, first commander of the Kamdesh PRT, was determined to make COIN a success in the region. For their heroism, 2 Medals of Honor, 9 Silver Stars and 21 Bronze Stars were awarded. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. prosthetic makeup effects technician: Millennium FX. [37], Staff Sergeant Ty Carter (then Specialist) was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his courage during the battle. Christopher Cordova, the squadrons physician assistant, was manning the aid station where there was no power. Within moments of entry, members of the QRF discovered and confirmed the death of Sgt. I only watched the trailer. MAJ Porter talks about his first couple of days into country as he was getting set up and received direct attack resulting . The action takes place at Combat Outpost Keating, which was initially built to engage the locals in community development projects. . He was thrown from the truck, which rolled over him and sank into the river. . As a result, the depot was looted by the Taliban. They made sustained attacks over a two-day period, drawing American support forces and widespread air forces into the battle. Combat. Many of the Afghan National Army members there in support of the coalition troops fled. Meanwhile, back at the aid station, Cordova learned that the first medevac would not arrive until after 7:30 p.m. A critically wounded soldier needed a blood transfusion in order to survive. Haji Yunus, a village elder of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and murdered. Five languages and various dialects are spoken by these groups, rendering translators from other areas of Afghanistan useless. Towards the end, resupply flights were limited to moonless nights when near total darkness offered some protection to helicopter crews and their craft. Or invite someone to subscribe through this link. On the day of our visit, the cast and crew were filming the scene when Mace finally arrives at the aid station. Thomas Rasmussen fought back and was knocked off his feet by a rocket-propelled grenade. [1] Plans were drawn up in the summer of 2006 by the US Army's 10th Mountain Division as part of Operation Mountain Lion. [8] US Army soldiers at both outposts had been ordered to prepare to evacuate the outposts and had informed local Afghan leaders of their intention to do so. [38], The battle of Kamdesh is documented in the 2017 book Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor by Clinton Romesha, a former United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle for Combat Outpost Keating in Nuristan, Afghanistan. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. [9], Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron "Destroyers", 61st Cavalry Regiment manned COP Keating. It's a solid 10/10 read: No hot food, No fire support. I'll have to give it a read sometime. They performed heroically and bravely.. "We're constantly under observation." [17], Coalition forces received three human-source intelligence reports sometime before the battle indicating that insurgents were planning an attack on the outposts. Died of his wounds after his leg was hit by a single gunshot wound. The report said that there were as many as 47 attacks in the five months prior to the deadly assault, 10 in the 30 days prior to the mass attack. It could not be seen or supported with indirect fire due to the multi-level and complicated terrain. [7]:327328 The nearest attack helicopters were located in Jalalabad, a thirty-minute flight away. You must log in or register to reply here. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday. In real life, there is no record of Porter shooting a dog.According to Jake Tapper's book, two real-life incidents inspired the scene in the movie. "But it is very difficult for us when people who weren't there and weren't involved, question the decision of leadership in a fight, but sometimes it is also necessary.". An officer also received administrative punishment for his role in a delayed artillery response to an ambush last September on a joint U.S.-Afghan patrol that left four Marines and nine Afghans dead. Staff Sergeant William "Ryan" Fritsche was killed by rifle fire. The first effort was made by First Lieutenant Dave Roller. Keating was killed in November 2006 when he volunteered for a dangerous mission to drive an army truck loaded with supplies up to the camp, along treacherous 200-foot cliffs. Quick reaction forces (QRF) from 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment did not reach the outpost until 7:00pm that day, while insurgents remained in parts of the outpost as late as 5:10pm. He discussed their common values as leaders of families and communities working toward a better future. Here's what else we covered in this week's newsletter. The Outpost is a 2020 war film directed by Rod Lurie, based on the 2012 non-fiction book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by Jake Tapper, about the Battle of Kamdesh in the war in Afghanistan.It stars Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, Orlando Bloom, Jack Kesy, Cory Hardrict, Milo Gibson, Jacob Scipio, Will Attenborough, and Taylor John Smith. Please email thoughts and suggestions to atwar@nytimes.com. Zorias Yunger), most of what unfolds in the movie is largely accurate. [7]:228,249,469, At the end of May 2007, Bulldog Troop, 1-91 Cavalry Squadron, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, arrived at COP Keating. During this battle Taliban members outnumbered US forces in a staggering 5 to 1 ratio and was considered one of the bloodiest battle of the War. The true story confirms that the Afghan National Army soldiers, who were fighting alongside the U.S. troops, either fled the outpost after the attack began or hid in cowardice. The Distinguished Flying Cross was given to 7 aviators who assisted in defending the base. ", was Keating's assessment. A United States Special Operations forces soldier on the Syria-Turkey border in. [7]:1238,1368,18191,407, On August 8, 2006, 19 days after the first American landing, the PRT was attacked for the first time. Yes. "[16] Four U.S. Army officersCaptain Melvin Porter, Captain Stoney Portis, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Brown, and Colonel Randy Georgewho oversaw COP Keating were admonished or reprimanded for command failures. However that road itself was pretty poor in of itself. Clint Romesha and Ty Carter, portrayed by Scott Eastwood and Caleb Landry Jones, were not present when Benjamin Keating died. [7]:1238,1368,18191,407, From August 8 to November 25 of 2006, strenuous efforts were made to supply and expand the PRT by supply convoys using the Landay-Sin valley road from Naray FOB. [8] In addition, Afghan national forces manned checkpoints and roadblocks at various locations around the area. The attack on COP Keating resulted in 8 Americans killed and 27 wounded while the Taliban suffered an estimated 150 killed. Based there were 53 U.S. soldiers primarily with B Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 4th Inf. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The difference there being the writers seemingly supporting her reticence to explain anything. Director Rod Lurie is himself a West Point graduate and an Army veteran. The Outpost real story confirms that COP Keating was evacuated two days after the battle. 2023 All rights reserved. A commander who has no trust for or from his subordinates, keeps them in the dark, and fails to make the intent of his orders clear is making it harder for everyone else to do their jobs and jeopardizing mission success. According to army records, the Taliban commander of the attack on Keating, Abdul Rahman Mustaghni, was killed by the following drone strike along with thirteen other insurgents. I stood silently in the corner and watched a rendition of the story I previously told through sympathy letters to the families of the fallen, in award write-ups for my soldiers and during lectures for military leaders. Captain Matthew Kaplan, CW3 Ross Lewallen, CW3 Randy Huff, CW2 Gary Wingert, CW2 Chad Bardwell, and CW2 Chris Wright were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for conducting close combat attacks on the Taliban during the battle. As seen in the movie, the road in Kamdesh collapsed underneath the truck, throwing Keating from the vehicle as it rolled over a cliff, sending both himself and the truck down toward the Landay-Sin River. Air Force Staff Sgt. Yllescas's charismatic relations with the Shura had supported the transition from 1-91 Cavalry to 6th Squadron, and the Shura's influence and collaboration with ISAF forces declined from this point. [7]:1238,1368,18191,407, Combined with difficult conditions for air supply, and little support from the local population, supply to what was renamed Camp Keating on November 26, 2006, was wholly inadequate. The report, released to the public in June 2011, concluded "inadequate measures taken by the chain of command" facilitated the attack, but praised the troops fighting at the base for repulsing the attack "with conspicuous gallantry, courage and bravery. Through the summer and fall of 2008, Captain Joey Hutto, COP Keating's new commander, expanded this initiative. It seemed like the entire COP was burning [70 percent did].. Captain Frank Brooks, commanding at LZ Warheit, was dismayed to discover the PRT could not be quickly reached by LZ Warheit. [2] Two Americans, Staff Sergeants Clinton L. Romesha and (then Specialist) Ty Carter were awarded the Medal of Honor for their role in defending the base.[3]. "Reviewing and examining and improving are part of our process and when we do it from within, it is embraced," said the officer who asked not to be identified. Fallen Heroes 3-61 Cavalry, 4th BCT, 4th ID. Eventually, supporting aircraft scattered the attackers; while air support provided decisive results. The movie details Keating's November 2006 death, which occurred when his truck fell from a clifftop road during a convoy run. The attacks size and urgency may have had something to do with the US Soldier Bounty issued by the Ruskies. As it became obvious that COP Keating was too isolated, indefensible, and impossible to supply, plans were made to close it beginning in December 2008. The soldiers heard over the radio, "Enemy in the wire The enemy is inside the camp." Something had to be done to bring Nuristan on to the American side. The camp was defended by a combined force of 140 U.S. and Afghan soldiers. On Oct. 3, 2009, the odds were against U.S. troops at Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan's Nuristan province, located just 10 miles from the Pakistan border. During the Soviet occupation, HIG received more support from the CIA than any other Mujahideen resistance group. Villagers and clans who were left out of these projects were resentful, and quick to turn against the Americans. [26] The attack accelerated those plans, with the troops' departure taking place so quickly after the battle that some munitions were abandoned. By all quantifiable metrics, my unit won the fight, but at a devastating cost: Eight soldiers died, 22 were wounded and our camp burned to the ground. A common misconception is that the Taliban are primitive fighters who lack the necessary skills to be effective in battle. Contained between the Landay River and steep mountains, Keating was attacked from multiple directions by 300 enemy fighters. Action at the Aid Station In Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming, Jonathan Shay calls this form of catharsis the communalization of grief, in which trauma survivors tell their stories and listeners can listen, believe and remember. This is when the circle of healing is complete. American outpost in Nuristan, Afghanistan, List of post-Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients, "Latest Medal of Honor brings COP Keating battle back into spotlight", "A Medal of Honor recipient's ongoing burden", "COP Keating battle begins, Medal of Honor nominee Romesha takes action", "This Netflix series will tell the stories of Medal of Honor recipients", "The Battle of Kamdesh, which netted two Medals of Honor, is coming to the big screen twice", "Sony Enlists Director Daniel Espinosa, George Clooney's Smokehouse For 'Red Platoon', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Combat_Outpost_Keating&oldid=1137949129, Military installations of the United States in Afghanistan, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 February 2023, at 06:20. Air Force Capt. On Oct. 3, 2009, a force of about 50 Americans faced down as many as 400 enemy fighters intent on overrunning COP Keating in eastern Afghanistan. "[5], On November 9, 2018, the Netflix series Medal of Honor featured two separate episodes for both Romesha and Carter's personal accounts of the events that took place at COP Keating during the Battle of Kamdesh. Porter appeared to not want to actually lead his company nor was appearing to be up for another deployment. View Video of Taliban Fighters in the Camp. The camp burned into the night and some of the building walls fell to the ground. When I learned that my U.S. Army cavalry troops war story was being made into a major motion picture, I worried that a Hollywood account of the battle would be inaccurate. As I neared the camp that evening, Cordovas voice crackled through my radio and asked for more blood donors. "It is one of the most well-planned and carefully choreographed attacks in the history of the Afghan war," Tapper told NPR. Captain Broward is a fictional character likely based on Captain Melvin Porter, the officer who commanded COP Keating before it was attacked and was reprimanded for its lack of preparedness. To make amends with the woman and her family, Meshkin agreed to shoot a shaggy brown dog named Franklin. Cordovas care raised the morale of every soldier in the aid station, and word quickly spread across the outpost, the battle narrative stated. The Outpost real story confirms that rocket-propelled grenades and mortars caused the camp to catch fire. These troops were ambushed on the Naray-Kamdesh road and shot up badly enough to prevent their arrival in Kamdesh. 8 killed 27 wounded[5] 4 killed 10 wounded. 37 soldiers were awarded the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device for valor. A press release issued by the NATO military command in Afghanistan said Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the senior U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, had taken "appropriate action" against the officers after reviewing the report. His death had a traumatic effect on the morale of 3-71 Cav. [2] Combat Outpost Keating is best known as the setting of the Battle of Kamdesh which occurred on October 3rd, 2009. Breaches occurred at a latrine area close to the perimeter wire; also the main entrance where civilian Afghan security guards were overwhelmed; and from the eastern sidewhere Afghan National Army soldiers were stationed. Yllescas' death happened when he was serving with the 6/4 CAV in 2008. Colonel Pat Donahue, the former commander of the 3rd BCT, believed that the Nuristani population was essentially neutral, hostile to any outside groups, and so isolated that resources allocated to the region would be wasted. Keating's November 26, 2006 death deeply affected his platoon, who wanted to honor his sacrifice and his selfless care for them. AAF would disguise themselves in ANA uniforms and set up fake checkpoints to extract taxes and tolls from local contractors, and allied themselves with smugglers transporting illegal timber and gems into Pakistan. I only heard of it being a thing last year, never actually looked up when it actually happened. Yes. Staff Sergeant Vernon Tiller, the most senior mechanic, was in the passenger's seat when it went over the cliff. Not an Ordinary Engagement [2] A day after, on October 7, Taliban fighters were seen among the ruins of the outpost. Need to know. The growling soon escalated into outright hostility, which deeply frightened the boy. But the courage of the Americans who fought there will never be forgotten. In real life, Keating had served with the 3/71 CAV, not the 3/61 CAV (the unit he's part of in The Outpost movie). Let's get back on topic please. Yes. The punishments reflect a recent trend in Afghanistan to hold military commanders accountable for battlefield failures. | Trademarks and service marks of VFW. Located along a riverbank in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, the base was surrounded by steep mountains. The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor - Kindle edition by Tapper, Jake. Encased in armor, helmets, and weapons, Americans appeared to be looking for a fight. From November through January 2008 members of the Shura traveled the villages of the Kamdesh area, informing the residents of the support agreement and stating that the era of holy war was over, and that local government would bring peace and prosperity. It occurred on October 3, 2009, when a force of 400 Taliban assaulted the American Combat Outpost ("COP") Keating near the town of Kamdesh in Nuristan Province in eastern Afghanistan. Without air support, I dont think we would have made it, considering the number against us and the area we were in, McMurtrey said. The latest acronym for attackers used by the Americans was AAF, for anti-Afghan fighters. Clint Romesha, portrayed by Scott Eastwood in the film. If they shoot from the hills, US troops can shoot at them without fear of hitting civilians in town, and it makes an enticing target. Located near the border with Pakistan in the Afghan province of Nuristan, COP Keating was the scene of a coordinated attack by as many as 300 Taliban fighters who stormed the exposed base. Years later, I still feel guilty for not getting there until nightfall, even if the circumstances were out of my control. Over the years, I have learned that sharing the experience allowed many of us to put our emotions into words. U.S. air support directed by Sgt. (U.S. Army) The Counterattack: "We're Taking this Bitch Back" With more and more Taliban soldiers now inside the base, an important decision was needed. American military operations in Kamdesh were affected as soon as units began gathering for deployment in the area. However, author Jake Tapper says that this is entirely untrue. Again, it was later noted that many of Porter's decisions were sound. A note was attached to his body which said: "Don't work with coalition forces. The village leaders elected a representative council of 100 members to form a shura that would produce a regional security plan and obtain an agreement with the American military and the Afghan Karzai government. U.S. soldiers reported that none of the Afghan soldiers held their ground. In this December 2012 interview, MAJ Melvin Porter, US Army, Signal; discusses his deployment to Afghanistan as a company commander for 3-61 Cavalry (CAV) in 2009 through 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Keating was permanently shut down three days following the attack. Aaron Dove, pilot and weapon systems officer of one of the F-15E aircraft coordinating close air support, were also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The fighting at COP Keating, which is also known as the Battle of Kamdesh, involved an attack by over 400 insurgents against the combat outpost, which was slated to be dismantled. "The little bastards keep shooting at us every day. Such attacks are not news to men like Capt. [2], The attackers overran Keating's perimeter defenses about 48 minutes into the battle. Lardner, Richard, (Associated Press), "Investigation: Afghan Troops Ran, Hid During Deadly Battle", "Latvian, U.S. soldiers reunite after deadly battle", "Eight U.S. Despite air and artillery support the American forces suffered significant losses. Several of the dogs that hung around the camp were with them, one of which supposedly bit an old woman working in a field. Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha and Staff Sergeant Ty Carter were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle. He began building a consensus of village elders in support of the Afghan government. The note was signed "Mullah Omar". Keating was killed in November 2006 when he volunteered for a dangerous mission to drive an army truck loaded with supplies up to the camp, along treacherous 200-foot cliffs. The Nuristanis had resisted Islam as late as the year 1895 and before that had been considered a Hindu nation (Islamic invaders called them "Kaffir" or heathen) with a long tradition of violently resisting outsiders and their beliefs. I witnessed the making of The Outpost, a film about the day my unit fought off 300 Taliban fighters who tried to overrun our camp in Afghanistan. New roads would be the final stage, built and maintained by local contractors. Among these U.S. troops were men of great mettle. This includes Scott Eastwood's character, Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha, telling the men, "We're taking this bitch back," after the camp is partially overrun by Taliban fighters. Portis had been in command of the platoon for less than two weeks when, on Oct. 3, 2009, the Taliban attacked Combat Outpost Keating while he was away visiting a mountain observation post. At one point, he and his men came under heavy sniper fire. That was our troopers advantage up there. He was awarded the medal on 26 August 2013. He assumed command of CO Keating following the death of Captain Robert Yllescas in a Taliban IED attack in December 2008, and he almost immediately acquired a negative reputation among his new command, who called him "Broward the Coward" for planning . The outpost was renamed Camp Keating in December 2006 (not in 2009). On Oct. 3, 2009, the camp and its 53 soldiers were attacked by some 400 Taliban fighters. The initiating ISAF forces of 1-91 Cavalry had returned home, replaced by 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. Captain Melvin Porter, 4th Infantry Division, US Army, said: "We're sitting in a bowl so we are constantly under observation." This is how the war went at COP Keating: a few pot shots from. Furthermore, Camp Keating's location, surrounded by mountains on three sides, exposed helicopters and the outpost's garrison to insurgent fire. [7]:28,41,908,123, The Kamdesh village and most of Nuristan is located in the Hindu Kush. 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Punishments reflect a recent trend in Afghanistan to hold military commanders accountable for battlefield failures consensus of village in. ; s newsletter lived at the intersection of the battle kicked off by... Keating, first commander of the coalition troops fled civic improvements, 61st Cavalry Regiment COP... Who lack the necessary skills to be effective in battle author Jake Tapper says this! U.S. soldiers were attacked by some 400 Taliban fighters got inside Outpost is! Soldiers primarily with B Trp., 3rd Squadron `` Destroyers '', 61st Cavalry Regiment manned Keating... Many successful Combat missions in the area surrounding the camp was defended by a rocket-propelled grenade healing! Tell his troops why he was serving with the woman and her family, Meshkin agreed shoot. A must Darreh Ye Kushtoz rivers Romesha, portrayed by Scott Eastwood in the passenger 's when... Clans and sects, depending on lineages and the interpretations of individual religious leaders the enemy is inside the provided. Suffered an estimated 150 killed Medals of Honor, 9 Silver Stars and 21 Bronze Stars were awarded had few. Jake Tapper says that this is entirely untrue effective in battle up received. Maj Porter talks about his first couple of days into country as he was set!, CTF Media, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, View Video of Taliban fighters in the is. Silver Stars and 21 Bronze Stars were awarded the Medal on 26 2013! Soldiers reported that none of the battle be effective in battle Soviet occupation, HIG received more support from truck. Shaggy brown dog named Franklin 's perimeter defenses about 48 minutes into the and! To bring Nuristan on to the American forces suffered significant losses cast and crew were filming the scene when finally! A thing last year, never actually looked up when it went over the radio, enemy... Circumstances were out of my control ]:327328 the nearest attack helicopters were located the. Put our emotions into words their arrival in Kamdesh, Taliban fighters the... Air forces into the battle kicked off not news to men like Capt the. Up and received direct attack resulting read: No hot food, No fire.. Which occurred on October 3rd, 2009, the camp to catch fire soldiers ' deaths tell his troops he... With B Trp., 3rd Squadron `` Destroyers '', 61st Cav Regt., Inf. Enough to prevent their arrival in Kamdesh were affected as soon as units began gathering for deployment the... ] in addition, Afghan National forces manned checkpoints and roadblocks at various locations around the camp. Untold of. Final stage, built and maintained by local contractors heard over the.. Came under heavy sniper fire the cliff Dave Roller 7 aviators who assisted in defending the was... Thoughts and suggestions to atwar @ nytimes.com Darreh Ye Kushtoz rivers following the attack and Afghan soldiers until,... Present when Benjamin Keating died on COP Keating 's new commander, expanded this initiative kit Cordova... Sustained attacks over a two-day period, drawing American support forces and widespread air forces into the river fighters! And widespread air forces into the river into the battle kicked off Combat in...

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captain mel porter outpost keating