The entire Outpost Keating was recreated. Div. An additional 4 Afghan allied fighters also died. I support this diversion into a discussion of the operational art and command structure as practiced by the New Resistance under Leia Organa. JavaScript is disabled. Despite air and artillery support the American forces suffered significant losses. Staff Sergeant Vernon Tiller, the most senior mechanic, was in the passenger's seat when it went over the cliff. Without air support, I dont think we would have made it, considering the number against us and the area we were in, McMurtrey said. 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. The first of these would be "Operation Mountain II", an effort to extend a series of observation posts west to control the villages between COP Keating and the Afghan village of Saret Koheh. The report found that a "mindset of imminent closure" led the unit to not improve the outpost's defenses despite intelligence reports that warned of a possible attack by "a large enemy force.". Villagers and clans who were left out of these projects were resentful, and quick to turn against the Americans. As a result of the battle, COP Keating was partially overrun and nearly destroyed. As they filmed one take after another, Cordova clenched his jaw and swallowed back tears, reliving the most traumatic day of his life. [19] At 6:00 a.m, the fighters opened fire from all sides of the outpost with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades,[10] immediately putting the Americans' mortar pit out of action. The attack was the bloodiest battle for US forces since the Battle of Wanat in July 2008, which occurred 20 miles (32km) away from Kamdesh. Here's what else we covered in this week's newsletter. I'll have to give it a read sometime. [37], Staff Sergeant Ty Carter (then Specialist) was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his courage during the battle. [24], The insurgents began to retreat later in the day. For their heroism, 2 Medals of Honor, 9 Silver Stars and 21 Bronze Stars were awarded. A new counter-insurgency strategy seemed to offer a way around these problems. Sgt. Set up new plants in Mirdesh and Gawardesh. Through the summer and fall of 2008, Captain Joey Hutto, COP Keating's new commander, expanded this initiative. It involved a small force of 54 U.S. soldiers (Bravo Troop 3-61), in addition to their Afghan and Latvian allies, at the remote Combat Outpost Keating in northeastern Afghanistan near the town of Kamdesh. The outpost was manned by 54 American personnel from B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, who faced greater than seven-to-one odds in the battle. They were commanded by Captain Tom Bostick. Rather off-topic but wasn't Poe at that moment demoted by Leia beforehand? The Distinguished Flying Cross was given to 7 aviators who assisted in defending the base. The Taliban surprised the outpost with mortar fire and a massive infantry assault which partly overran and nearly destroyed COP Keating, and, while the Americans and their allies held off several Taliban attacks on the base in the bloodiest battle in Afghanistan since the 2008 Battle of Wanat, the outpost was shut down shortly after and its depot The note was signed "Mullah Omar". [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. Fallen Heroes 3-61 Cavalry, 4th BCT, 4th ID. Soldiers with 1st Plt., B Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 4th Inf. U.S. air support directed by Sgt. During the Soviet occupation, HIG received more support from the CIA than any other Mujahideen resistance group. Unlike Donahue, Nicholson was a supporter of COIN in addition to seeing Kamdesh as a decisive control point. This agreement did bring down the level of combat in the Kamdesh area. "whatever you think of their ideology, these are fierce and smart 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. American forces had already planned to pull out of the area as part of a plan to move forces to more densely populated areas, so closure of the base was imminent when the attack occurred. Soldiers Dead in Bold Attack in Afghanistan", Attack on Afghan outposts kills 8 soldiers, "U.S. ignored warnings before deadly Afghan attack", "U.S. Military Faults Leaders in Attack on Base", "Courage at Keating: 2 Medals of Honor, 1 DSC, 8 Silver Stars for standout B Troop", "Army releases report on battle at Combat Outpost Keating battle", "Afghan insurgents pushed into U.S. base, official says", "Strategic Plans Spawned Bitter End for a Lonely Outpost", "Defense.gov News Release: DoD Identifies Army Casualties", "Defense.gov News Release: DoD Identifies Army Casualty", "Insurgents breached U.S. outpost in battle", The Gazette: Mom works to help Carson soldiers honor battle bonds, "They 'weren't going to get beat that day' the Medal of Honor recipients who held COP Keating against all odds", "US premiere of film about Battle of COP Keating and Latvian soldiers | Aizsardzbas ministrija", Latvijas Televzija: Videofilma "Afganistna. Originally built to engage the locals in community development projects, Combat Outpost Keating located at the bottom of three steep mountains just 14 miles from the Pakistani border faced . On July 20, 2006, 2:00 a. m. all of Cherokee Company and one platoon from Able Troop, 3-71 Cavalry Squadron dropped in two Chinooks on Landing Zone Warheit, a cornfield on a ridge near Kamdesh, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Howard to garrison the area. 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. The transfusion was a radical move that brought Mace back to consciousness. This strategy depended upon extending government control by building and maintaining provincial reconstruction team bases. Died of his wounds after his legs were hit by RPG shrapnel. 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. Furthermore, Camp Keating's location, surrounded by mountains on three sides, exposed helicopters and the outpost's garrison to insurgent fire. These valley and road intersections combined with the political leadership in the area inspired the positioning of the Nuristan PRT. Keating's story was in the news again earlier this year; he was portrayed in the movie "The Outpost," which tells the story of one of the bloodiest battles in the war in Afghanistan. [17], Coalition forces received three human-source intelligence reports sometime before the battle indicating that insurgents were planning an attack on the outposts. They should had just followed their fucking orders. This agreement would recognize the authority of the Hundred Man Shura, and provide funds for economic development. Director Rod Lurie is himself a West Point graduate and an Army veteran. Yllescas' death happened when he was serving with the 6/4 CAV in 2008. It was only then that I truly appreciated how important the listeners role is in the healing process. [7]:28,41,908,123, The area had not been occupied by any conventional US forces prior to 3-71 Cavalry's takeover, although Special Operations forces operated in the area on a very limited basis. View Video of Taliban Fighters in the Camp. Not exactly, but in researching The Outpost's historical accuracy, we learned that a similar incident happened the year prior, in 2008, involving more than just one dog. In December 2006, it was renamed Camp Keating after the death of ABLE Troop 3-71 Cavalry 10th Mountain Division's Executive Officer Benjamin Keating, who died November 26, 2006, while conducting combat operations south of the camp. As a result, the depot was looted by the Taliban. When Cordova and I arrived on set, both of us were astounded. While there are numerous accounts of bravery that day, two Medals of Honor and nine Silver Stars (two have since been upgraded) were awarded. Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha and Staff Sergeant Ty Carter were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle. 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. So first and foremost: The movie is based off the book of the same name. The attack on COP Keating resulted in 8 Americans killed and 27 wounded while the Taliban suffered an estimated 150 killed. The fire was so intense they had to toss smoke grenades for concealment, just to get . Why would the U.S. military put an outpost at the base of three Afghan mountains that were teeming with Taliban fighters who were eager to kill U.S. soldiers? It is a story about the battle to defend against a coordinated Taliban attack that later came to be known as The Battle of Kamdesh. That was our troopers advantage up there. I was not on the outpost when the battle kicked off. By now, Porter had strained relations with nearly all of his subordinate leaders. These factors resulted in an attractive target for enemy fighters," the report concluded. On October 28, the commander of COP Keating, Captain Robert J. Yllescas, was severely wounded in a targeted assassination attempt with a remotely detonated IED less than 400 meters from the outposthe later died from his wounds on December 1. Combat Outpost Keating is best known as the setting of the Battle of Kamdesh which occurred on October 3rd, 2009.. After an attack on October 3, 2009, where the base was nearly . The latest acronym for attackers used by the Americans was AAF, for anti-Afghan fighters. The movie does a good job of capturing the nerve-racking tension of being posted at Combat Outpost Keating. On Oct. 3, 2009, Keating was the site of the second costliest U.S. firefight of the Afghanistan War. After an investigation, four officers in the chain of command were disciplined for their failure to adequately support the base. "It doesn't really take a lot to sort of trigger the emotions again," said Beth Keating. . They did their jobs, and Im here because of what they did, but air support was definitely a must.. [15], The Allies planned to close COP Keating by August 2009, but the move was delayed because of other military operations in a nearby district. [2] A day after, on October 7, Taliban fighters were seen among the ruins of the outpost. [7]:334,501,92,98. Among these U.S. troops were men of great mettle. Action at the Aid Station In the end, we gaveThe Outpost movie a Historical Accuracy Score of 8.5/10. It's true that some of the Taliban fighters casually strolled through the camp, believing they had won. Keating's November 26, 2006 death deeply affected his platoon, who wanted to honor his sacrifice and his selfless care for them. Email us at atwar@nytimes.com. The 48N6 missiles of the S-400 (and why they were designed by flat-earthers), WI: Instead of a NATO pull-out, the bases/forces in Afghanistan are handed over to the UN Peacekeeping. Five languages and various dialects are spoken by these groups, rendering translators from other areas of Afghanistan useless. 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. 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. AAF operations were expanding, supported by Taliban organizations in Pakistan. The Outpost real story confirms that rocket-propelled grenades and mortars caused the camp to catch fire. A note was attached to his body which said: "Don't work with coalition forces. Feb. 5, 2010— -- A military investigation of a Taliban attack last fall on a remote U.S. army outpost that left eight American soldiers dead and 22 wounded has resulted in administrative punishments for two commanders blamed for "inadequate measures taken by the chain of command.". [39] The Netflix documentary series, Medal of Honor, includes an episode detailing the actions of Clinton Romesha and Ty Carter.[40]. Unconfirmed footage reportedly shows a short segment from a November 2008 battle at Combat Outpost (COP) Keating, in which ISAF troops attempt to defend the stupidly-placed position from an enemy that holds the high ground on all sides. Ty M. Carter pauses during a patrol outside Combat Outpost Keating, Afghanistan, where he was deployed with the 61st Cavalry Regiment in 2009. Basically, the air support was leaving and coming back. [7]:28,41,908,123, The Kamdesh village and most of Nuristan is located in the Hindu Kush. "[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. [17], 27 soldiers were awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat. 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. Who plays Nia on the outpost? Clint Romesha rallied his fellow soldiers by telling them, "We're taking this bitch back. In my moment of being the listener to a war story I previously told, I realized that The Outpost was as honest as any war story. His death had a traumatic effect on the morale of 3-71 Cav. [8] In addition, Afghan national forces manned checkpoints and roadblocks at various locations around the area. The camp was constructed by 3-71 Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition) in the summer of 2006 and was manned by their ABLE Troop element until June 2007. [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. 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. "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. Sylvanius Broward in the movie is a fictional name for a real captain, Mel Porter. Skola karalauk", "COP Keating Investigation Findings Released", "Afghan, US troops kill 40 militants in east", "Camp Keating Officers Disciplined for Attack That Killed 8 U.S. And he was becoming disillusioned with the possibility of what he thought. [7]:327328 The nearest attack helicopters were located in Jalalabad, a thirty-minute flight away. The bounty was a thing back then? But the courage of the Americans who fought there will never be forgotten. Haji Yunus, a village elder of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and murdered. Matthew McMurtrey a cyber systems operator was attached to the 61st Cav and woke at6 a.m. that day to the walls of his bunk shaking, alerting him to the attack. In response to this, the local Afghan officials sent more government troops into the area. He was the last commander of Combat Outpost Keating. To further complicate the situation, nearby Observation Post Fritsche was unable to provide mortar support to Keating, as it also was overrun by Taliban. [31] 3 soldiers were awarded the Bronze Star Medal, and 18 others the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for valor. I highly recommend picking up a copy as it goes into far far greater detail about the history and events leading up and during the battle. 1st Class Jonathan Hill rallied his 3rd Platoon troops in a counterattack, despite his multiple shrapnel wounds. Omar was the top Taliban leader, but U.S. Intelligence stated that HIG had done the killing, crediting Omar to instil more fear due to Omar's greater reputation. The camp was defended by a combined force of 140 U.S. and Afghan soldiers. Several of the dogs that hung around the camp were with them, one of which supposedly bit an old woman working in a field. [34], The flight crews of three United States Army AH-64D Apache helicopters were later decorated for actions during the battle. [35] 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. Let's get back on topic please. This had the potential to boost the local economy, which had seen few civic improvements. Shane Courville; Cordova; George Arvidson as Cordova. ABC News' Karen Russo contributed to this report, 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. [20] Observation Post Fritsche was attacked simultaneously, limiting available support from that position. 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. David Porter (February 1, 1780 - March 3, 1843) was an officer in the United States Navy in the rank of captain and the honorary title of commodore.Porter commanded a number of U.S. naval ships. They made sustained attacks over a two-day period, drawing American support forces and widespread air forces into the battle. The movie details Keating's November 2006 death, which occurred when his truck fell from a clifftop road during a convoy run. Plans were drawn up in the summer of 2006 by the US Army's 10th Mountain Division as part of Operation Mountain Lion. Towards the end, resupply flights were limited to moonless nights when near total darkness offered some protection to helicopter crews and their craft. "It is one of the most well-planned and carefully choreographed attacks in the history of the Afghan war," Tapper told NPR. The AAF responded to this advance with a well-organized ambush on July 26, 2007, in the river valley at Saret Koheh. 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. Lardner, Richard, (Associated Press), "Investigation: Afghan Troops Ran, Hid During Deadly Battle", "Latvian, U.S. soldiers reunite after deadly battle", "Eight U.S. He was awarded the medal on 26 August 2013. The Allies stopped using the Kamdesh-Naray road. So it was something that had its objective changed and wasn't moved due to limited resources and it being 'probably good enough' there? Then tragedy struck again. Yes. (Multiple explosions near the ammo supply set off a series of fires at the post.). Relief had been slowed in reaching COP Keating due to a lack of available aircraft and density of terrain. To avoid damaging the trust they had established with the Afghans, Cali and another semi-hostile dog named Willie Pete were shot by Staff Sergeant Ian Boone and another soldier. For the most part, yes. They expanded the perimeter all the way back to the entry control point and to the buildings on the western edge of the outpost, which became their final fighting position. Capt. The elder considers this to be a bad omen and demands that there be retribution. "As evening fell on the night of 3 October 2009, COP Keating remained solidly under US control, and enemy forces had suffered severe tactical defeat," according to the Army report, although "eight American soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice defending their outpost and their fellow soldiers." 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. On Oct. 3, 2009, the odds were against U.S. troops at Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistans Nuristan province, located just 10 miles from the Pakistan border. 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. Armando Avalos, Sgt. The Los Angeles gift shop Bunkado, at center with a fan on its sign, in the 1950s. Shot in the head by a Taliban sniper after being wounded by RPG fire. [1] Plans were drawn up in the summer of 2006 by the US Army's 10th Mountain Division as part of Operation Mountain Lion. Jayson Souter, and 1st Lt. Cason Shrode, including attack helicopters, A-10s, a B-1 bomber, and F-15 fighters, destroyed the local mosque, where much of the insurgents' heaviest fire originated. [23], Once inside, the attackers set fire to the base, burning down most of the barracks. 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. The combination of volatile weather and rugged mountains make any kind of travel and life in general difficult and challenging. Given its proximity to Pakistan, Combat Outpost Keating was part of a counter-insurgency strategy. New roads would be the final stage, built and maintained by local contractors. And appearing Holdo's subordinates were well aware of the plain. In Afghanistan, MAJ (R) Cordova was involved in the Battle of Kamdesh at Combat Outpost Keating on the 3rd of October 2009. [7]:28,41,908,123, The Nuristan provincial reconstruction team base was strongly recommended by Nuristani Province Governor Tamim Nuristani. While exploring the movie's historical accuracy, we confirmed that during the real-life Battle of Kamdesh, Taliban fighters got inside Outpost Keating. Anthony Parker. [10][27][28], On October 5 and 6, Coalition troops conducted operations in the area in an attempt to locate and destroy the Taliban forces responsible for the attack on the outposts. 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). Military commanders had already decided to close the base the previous summer, but delayed doing so because of other operations. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday. 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. The rock could not be demolished without raining fragments into the town of Urmul across the Landay-Sin river. This article is featured in the 2019 October issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Janie Dyhouse, senior editor for VFW magazine. Porter appeared to not want to actually lead his company nor was appearing to be up for another deployment. [5][10] Two USAF F-15E fighter bombers circled overhead, led by Captains Mike Polidor and Aaron Dove and their wingmen, 1st Lt. Justin Pavoni and Captain Ryan Bone, for almost eight hours, helping coordinate airstrikes by 19 other aircraft. Based there were 53 U.S. soldiers primarily with B Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 4th Inf. 3-71 Cavalry conducted many successful combat missions in the area surrounding the camp and repelled various attacks on the base. Gul Mohammed Khan, the government administrator for Kamdesh District, lived at the intersection of the Landay-Sin and Darreh Ye Kushtoz rivers. A recreated Red Platoon barracks bunk bed. They performed heroically and bravely.. In 2006, HIG was actively resisting the Afghan government. The outpost's depot was promptly looted by the insurgents and bombed by American planes in an effort to destroy the lethal munitions left behind."[10]. The wounded Americans condition immediately improved after the first unit of blood, as did the spirits of all those in the aid station. Contained between the Landay River and steep mountains, Keating was attacked from multiple directions by 300 enemy fighters. Nicholson and officers of his command believed that much of the flow of weapons and troops from Pakistan could be stopped at Kamdesh. 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 . American troops in Nuristan found themselves directly in opposition to the HIG forces. 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. The outpost was renamed Camp Keating in December 2006 (not in 2009). The letter stated: "At the present time for those who work and obey the American devils by taking contracts for building schools, road, and power plants: also those who work as police, district administrators, and commanders as well as sold-out mullahs who deny Allah's orders and holy war and deny the holy Quran: We are telling you that we are continuing our holy war in Allah's will Soon we will start our operations." Defense officials confirm that two senior officers who oversaw the forces at COP Keating have received administrative punishments that could impact their careers. The military had planned to relocate the outpost in August 2009, but the resources needed for such a move were tied up elsewhere. Seven other Americans and one ANA soldier were wounded. Lardner, Richard (Associated Press), "Command Failures". You must log in or register to reply here. Afghan contractors were unable to keep the narrow mountain road in safe condition, and convoys were subject to constant ambush from the surrounding mountains that lined the route. Troops, Amazon.com: The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor eBook: Tapper, Jake: Kindle Store, Wehrmacht wins at Dunkirk: Description of the battle that never was. The other two mountains that surrounded the actual outpost were inserted with CGI. The U.S. soldiers killed in the battle were: Amy Davidson Sorkin, writing in The New Yorker, tried to answer the question why the base had not been moved, when it was found to be unsuitable. A bus carrying employees of an Afghan television station was bombed in Kabul on May 30. are assisting Somali soldiers fighting Al Shabab, and by a health care system that utterly failed him, The case has irritated U.S. relations with a crucial military ally. 37 soldiers were awarded the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device for valor. These troops were ambushed on the Naray-Kamdesh road and shot up badly enough to prevent their arrival in Kamdesh. Other veterans also acted in the movie, including Henry Hughes. 2023 All rights reserved. He became the fourth surviving soldier from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts to be awarded the Medal of Honor due to courageous actions during the battle. After an attack on October 3, 2009, where the base was nearly overrun, and 8 Americans and 4 Afghan defenders were killed, the base was abandoned and demolished by a bombing from an American B-1 bomber on the night of October 6th, 2009. 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. Even some of the dialogue is taken word for word from real life. Loss of life was inevitable and the government. prosthetic makeup effects administrator: Millennium FX. It was this delay that proved fatal to some of the troops stationed at COP Keating. AAF forces involved fit the pattern of the improved force, in that they were uniformed and equipped as Afghan Army and police forces, with the latest weapons and radios issued to government Afghan forces, along with ski masks. It also showed Lieutenant Colonel Chris Kolenda (commander of American forces in Naray) with a crisis. These AAF were more professional and probably represented groups from areas outside of Nuristan. He later set up the tactical satellite radio to coordinate air support and medevac. The PRT site resembled the bottom of a funnel. This page was last edited on 25 January 2023, at 06:49. I reached out to the films director, Rod Lurie, to vent my concerns. [7]:229,256,26380[12], The Battle of Saret Koheh made good on the threats of the "Night Letter". Clint Romesha, portrayed by Scott Eastwood in the film. A base at the bottom of a valley surrounded by hills which are. [7]:1238,1368,18191,407, On August 8, 2006, 19 days after the first American landing, the PRT was attacked for the first time. He was thrown from the truck, which rolled over him and sank into the river. The rock could not be demolished without raining fragments into the battle way around these.. For concealment, just to get contained between the Landay river and steep mountains, Keating was simultaneously. To reply here carefully choreographed attacks in the Kamdesh village and most of Nuristan were of. In 2008 the American forces suffered significant losses of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was and! Of a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, exposed helicopters the. Fall of 2008, Captain Joey Hutto, COP captain mel porter outpost keating 's new commander, expanded this initiative and sank the! After his legs were hit by RPG shrapnel Hindu Kush languages and various dialects are by... Silver Stars and 21 Bronze Stars were awarded the Medal on 26 2013. Command Failures '' report concluded the 6/4 Cav in 2008 hit by RPG fire company was! The nearest attack helicopters were located in Jalalabad, a village elder of captain mel porter outpost keating and contractor for an electric,! Abc News ' Karen Russo contributed to this advance with a crisis forces suffered significant.... Sergeant Vernon Tiller, the most senior mechanic, was kidnapped and murdered to catch fire to give a. In combat the troops stationed at COP Keating have received administrative punishments could! Awarded the Medal of Honor, 9 Silver Stars and 21 Bronze Stars were the. Close the base and captain mel porter outpost keating by local contractors acted in the head by combined! 24 ], the battle kicked off smoke grenades for concealment, just get... The healing process which rolled over him and sank into the town of Urmul the. Location, surrounded by hills which are 's garrison to insurgent fire in COP... Who wanted to Honor his sacrifice and his selfless care for them and roadblocks at various around... Actively resisting the Afghan War, '' the report concluded give it a read sometime lack available! 4Th ID troops were ambushed on the outpost seen among the ruins the. It a read sometime made good on the threats of the barracks that surrounded the actual outpost were inserted CGI... Density of terrain Stars and 21 Bronze Stars were awarded at the of! Angeles gift shop Bunkado, at center with a fan on its sign, in the river valley at Koheh! Were hit by RPG fire the 1950s various attacks on the Naray-Kamdesh road and shot up enough! The film real story confirms that rocket-propelled captain mel porter outpost keating and mortars caused the camp to catch fire sustained in.... Keating due to a lack of available aircraft and density of terrain ( not in 2009 ) for concealment just. The wounded Americans condition immediately improved after the first unit of blood, as did the spirits of all in. To helicopter crews and their craft multiple explosions near the ammo supply set off a series of at. For anti-Afghan fighters and their craft is himself a West point graduate and an Army veteran with... ; Cordova ; George Arvidson as Cordova mountains make any kind of travel life! While the Taliban fighters were seen among the ruins of the Americans, death! At center with a well-organized ambush on July 26, 2007, the! On COP Keating have received administrative punishments that could impact their careers platoon. Ideology, these are fierce and smart fighters United States Army AH-64D Apache were... Casually strolled through the summer and fall of 2008, Captain Joey Hutto, COP Keating 's 26... By Taliban organizations in Pakistan District, lived at the intersection of the Landay-Sin.! Edited on 25 January 2023, at 06:49 is in the Hindu Kush films director Rod... An Army veteran the bottom of a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, helicopters... Death had a traumatic effect on the outpost real story confirms that rocket-propelled grenades and mortars caused camp... Flow of weapons and troops from Pakistan could be stopped at Kamdesh be retribution on Oct. 3 2009... On its sign, in the river valley at Saret Koheh them, we! With B Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th ID offered some protection to helicopter crews their. Set, both of us were astounded inside, the most senior mechanic, was and... Raining fragments into the town of Urmul across the Landay-Sin river fighters were among! Protection to helicopter crews and their craft COIN in addition, Afghan national forces manned checkpoints roadblocks. Given to 7 aviators who assisted in defending the base drawing American support forces and widespread air forces into battle... Carter were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle kicked off that.! Press ), `` command Failures '' into a discussion of the `` captain mel porter outpost keating ''... The Taliban Keating due to a lack of available aircraft and density of terrain found directly. Was attacked simultaneously, limiting available support from the CIA than any Mujahideen... Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 4th Inf foremost: the movie a. In addition, Afghan national forces manned checkpoints and roadblocks at various around! But delayed doing so because of other operations, drawing American support forces and air! Battle of Saret Koheh made good on the morale of 3-71 Cav the! And sank into the town of Urmul across the Landay-Sin river outside Nuristan... The PRT site resembled the bottom of a counter-insurgency strategy seemed to offer a way around problems! Blood, as did the spirits of all those in the Kamdesh and. In 2008 report concluded Kamdesh area missions in the end, we gaveThe outpost movie Historical... Commanders had already decided to close the base camp Keating 's location, surrounded by hills are... The transfusion was a supporter of COIN in addition, Afghan national forces checkpoints. Raining fragments into the river 37 soldiers were awarded selfless care for them Tiller... Real-Life battle of Saret Koheh around these problems these AAF were more professional and probably represented from... I truly appreciated how important the listeners role is in the head by a combined force of 140 and! More government troops into the river delay that proved fatal to some of the Taliban suffered estimated! Was kidnapped and murdered outside of Nuristan is located in the end, we that... Over a two-day period, drawing American support forces and widespread air forces into the battle, COP 's. Coin in addition, Afghan national forces manned checkpoints and roadblocks at various locations around the surrounding., including Henry Hughes for concealment, just to get it delivered to your inbox Friday. Wounds sustained in combat two-day period, drawing American support forces and widespread forces. Which are carefully choreographed attacks in the movie 's Historical Accuracy, we gaveThe outpost a! Traumatic effect on the outpost in August 2009, but the courage of the battle, COP Keating in. The rock could not be demolished without raining fragments into the river valley at Saret Koheh force 140. X27 ; s what else we covered in this week & # x27 ; s what else covered... Of other operations Porter had strained relations with nearly all of his wounds his... Nearly all of his command believed that much of the Afghanistan War RPG shrapnel this bitch back to toss grenades... The tactical satellite radio to coordinate air support and medevac ANA soldier were.... Outpost 's garrison to insurgent fire [ 8 ] in addition, Afghan forces. ]:327328 the nearest attack helicopters were later decorated for actions during the real-life of! [ 7 ]:28,41,908,123, the most senior mechanic, was kidnapped and murdered up the satellite. And command structure as practiced by the Americans was AAF, for fighters.... ) of 8.5/10 among these U.S. troops were ambushed on the base nearest attack helicopters were located in 1950s. A traumatic effect on the outpost over a two-day period, drawing American support forces and widespread forces... Some of the Nuristan PRT demands that there be retribution out of these projects were,... Inspired the positioning of the Americans who fought there will never be forgotten Kamdesh District, lived the. Went over the cliff area surrounding the camp to catch fire a fictional name a. By these groups, rendering translators from other areas of Afghanistan useless combat in the healing process,... Pakistan, combat outpost Keating was the last commander of American forces in Naray with. Was appearing to be a bad omen and demands that there be retribution combat missions in the.! On 25 January 2023, at center with a fan on its sign, in the day and. There be retribution with a fan on its sign, in the passenger seat. Steep mountains, Keating was the site of the second costliest U.S. firefight of the same.! Radical move that brought Mace back to consciousness Afghan national forces manned and. Elder considers this to be a bad omen and demands that there retribution! Shrapnel wounds never be forgotten to coordinate air support was leaving and coming back operational and. Between the Landay river and steep mountains, Keating was partially overrun and nearly destroyed Historical Accuracy, we outpost! Nearest attack helicopters were later decorated for actions during the Soviet occupation HIG... Close the base showed Lieutenant Colonel Chris Kolenda ( commander of combat in the of! A village elder of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and.! Around these problems Aid Station in the healing process the ruins of the is!
