[14] At the time, Afghan national forces were supervised and trained by members of the Latvian Operational Mentor Liaison Teams. Of the 53 U.S. soldiers who fought in the Battle of Kamdesh at Outpost Keating, 45 survived, 8 lost their lives, and 27 were wounded. This strategy depended upon extending government control by building and maintaining provincial reconstruction team bases. In the end, as part of an effort by General Stanley McChrystal, the top commander in Afghanistan, such remote outposts were closed so that more troops could be used to protect civilians in populated areas. The 13-hour battle to re-take Combat Outpost Keating from an assault by 300 Taliban fighters on Oct. 3, 2009, was a team effort. Justin Gallegos' Silver Star was later upgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. He died in a vehicular accident in 2006, and Combat Outpost Keating, the site of the 2009 Battle of Kamdesh, was named in his honor. [7]:363383[13], COP Keating became increasingly isolated in the summer of 2009. 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. 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 Outpost true story reveals that the soldiers were surrounded by more than 300 Taliban fighters, many of whom were rushing in from Pakistan, which was only 14 miles from COP Keating. The soldiers left so quickly that they didn't take all of the ammunition. 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). Soldiers with 1st Plt., B Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Read more from At War here or follow us on Twitter. The basic approach to victory by the PRT involved three steps: Nicholson hoped the PRT would seed a process to be developed by the Nuristanis rather than imposed from the outside. One of the casualties was a bright young specialist named Stephan Mace, whom Cordova kept alive for nine hours by transfusing fresh blood from other soldiers, himself included. After Keating's death, a "Night Letter" appeared on the door of the Upper Kamdesh mosque on April 29, 2007. 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. Like in the film, Sgt. 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. This page was last edited on 25 January 2023, at 06:49. Michael Polidor and Capt. Without air support, I dont think we would have made it, considering the number against us and the area we were in, McMurtrey said. As I neared the camp that evening, Cordovas voice crackled through my radio and asked for more blood donors. Seven other Americans and one ANA soldier were wounded. He died when his truck fell off the cliff, and the outpost was later named Combat Outpost Keating in his honor. Killed by a single gunshot wound to the face while in the base mortar pit. Using the 120mm mortar means the base can command the entire valley. 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. [7]:334,501,92,98. The population of Nuristan is ethnically distinct from the rest of Afghanistan, and divided into four major groups, the Kom, Kata, Kushtoz, and Kalasha. . Died of his wounds after his leg was hit by a single gunshot wound. Fallen Heroes 3-61 Cavalry, 4th BCT, 4th ID. The camp was originally constructed to be a PRT (i.e., Provincial Reconstruction Team), called PRT Kamdesh, but due to extremely high levels of fighting in the area it remained a fire base instead of a PRT. Martina Skokova. [7]:1238,1368,18191,407. [7]:31214,371, The shura began to falter by October 2008. The U.S. evacuated the camp three days later. Between each take, the director and actors paused and turned to Cordova, who offered feedback to make the scene match his memory. Yes. 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. As with Captain Benjamin Keating, the movie pushes both of their deaths to 2009 and fictionally depicts both men as being part of the 3/61 CAV (3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment). His actions saved the lives of several soldiers, and he alone accomplished the work of four medical professionals without stopping for food or sleep, the battle narrative aptly concluded. 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. 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. On his way, he stopped to offer first aid to wounded troops. On Oct. 3, while Cordova was in the aid station keeping Mace alive, I was fighting to get back with a company of reinforcements. COP Keating, which was established in the summer of 2006, was put in the valley for the simple reason that it's where the roads are. [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. Lieutenant Colonel Mike Howard, Squadron Commander, saw COIN as a process of providing three services: This would improve the local economy while providing improved communications with the central government and the rest of the nation. As a result of the battle, COP Keating was partially overrun and nearly destroyed. Christopher Cordova, the squadrons physician assistant, was manning the aid station where there was no power. In May 2016 CBS News profiled Staff Sergeant Romesha, after he published an account of his experiences at the base, entitled Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor. "Needed force protection improvements were not made because of the imminent closure of the outpost. "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." They were commanded by Captain Tom Bostick. And he was becoming disillusioned with the possibility of what he thought. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The pick up zone for Able Troop 2nd Platoon was called PZ Reds, located on the side of an 8,000-foot mountain. Encased in armor, helmets, and weapons, Americans appeared to be looking for a fight. Nine soldiers were awarded the Silver Star for valor. Without adequate support, they were left to fight for their lives against overwhelming odds. To make amends with the woman and her family, Meshkin agreed to shoot a shaggy brown dog named Franklin. Despite overwhelming odds and volume of injuries, MAJ (R) Cordova was able to . (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. Years later, I still feel guilty for not getting there until nightfall, even if the circumstances were out of my control. Commanders of Camp Keating are disciplined for not taking proper measures that led to deaths of eight U.S. soldiers and the wounding of 22 others in a Taliban attack. [2] A day after, on October 7, Taliban fighters were seen among the ruins of the outpost. The enemy was obviously superior in numbers but not superior in discipline, professionalism and fighting skill, Col. Randy George, of the 4th BCT told the Colorado Springs Gazette in 2011. Again, it was later noted that many of Porter's decisions were sound. Clint Romesha rallied his fellow soldiers by telling them, "We're taking this bitch back. It was nicknamed "Heart Attack Ridge" due to its steep slope and obstacles hazardous to low-flying aircraft. Understandable discrepancies emerge when a book that covers four years at a remote mountain outpost is compressed into a two-hour production, but the film unquestionably captures the essence of the soldiers sacrifices, as well as the love we feel and the sorrow we share. [8] Coalition forces responded with small arms fire, mortars, and by the afternoon, helicopters, heavy artillery, and airstrikes. It's a solid 10/10 read: No hot food, No fire support. 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. Then tragedy struck again. [17], Coalition forces received three human-source intelligence reports sometime before the battle indicating that insurgents were planning an attack on the outposts. Extending control further along the river was expected to counter the AAF expansion and activity in the summer of 2007. The Soviets had to contend with a rebel group known as the Dawlet of eastern Nuristan. It could not be seen or supported with indirect fire due to the multi-level and complicated terrain. ABC News' Karen Russo contributed to this report, 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Anyone can read what you share. The second incident happened in 2008 at Observation Post Fritsche. 2023 All rights reserved. 1st Class Jonathan Hill rallied his 3rd Platoon troops in a counterattack, despite his multiple shrapnel wounds. American forces formed a thinly held and poorly supplied picket line from Naray to Kamdesh along the river. Sgt. 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? [4] She noted two claims the military put forward in its report: first, the resources to relocate the base had not been available because the brigade was concentrating on guarding a village that Hamid Karzai, president of Afghanistan, considered strategically important. 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. Members of 10th Mountain Division's 1-32 Infantry Regiment were air lifted to the nearest helicopter landing zone on OP Fritsche and arrived at approximately 2:00pm, as recalled by a soldier on scene. He was awarded the medal on 26 August 2013. During the highly risky convoy, the road collapsed under the weight of Keating's vehicle. [7][8] The former of which is based on the book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by journalist Jake Tapper. The bounty was a thing back then? The Allies stopped using the Kamdesh-Naray road. [5] Within two minutes of the beginning of the attack, American forces suffered their first casualty. Within moments of entry, members of the QRF discovered and confirmed the death of Sgt. I reached out to the films director, Rod Lurie, to vent my concerns. Armando Avalos, Sgt. The idea was to stop the insurgents' supply lines coming in from Pakistan. 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. During the Soviet occupation, HIG received more support from the CIA than any other Mujahideen resistance group. 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.". Lardner, Richard (Associated Press), "Command Failures". [35] Capt. The climate of the area has hot summers, a monsoon season in the summer, and cold winters of ice and snow extending down into the valleys. 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. [16] Because Keating was scheduled for closure in the near future, coalition leaders had decided not to make more than minimal efforts to improve fortifications at the base. In 2006, HIG was actively resisting the Afghan government. The battle unfolded on October 3, 2009. Contained between the Landay River and steep mountains, Keating was attacked from multiple directions by 300 enemy fighters. [8] In addition, Afghan national forces manned checkpoints and roadblocks at various locations around the area. Located along a riverbank in Kamdesh, Afghanistan, the base was surrounded by steep mountains. The growling soon escalated into outright hostility, which deeply frightened the boy. U.S. soldiers reported that none of the Afghan soldiers held their ground. Lurie, a West Point graduate and Army veteran, listened to what I had to say and agreed to let me visit the set. During and after the battle, some of the Afghan soldiers stole items, including digital cameras and protein drinks, belonging to American soldiers at the base. 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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor. Regrouping there, they pushed out teams to retake much of the outpost. Enemy forces controlled the landing zone, which prevented the wounded from being lifted out. Anthony Parker. Based there were 53 U.S. soldiers primarily with B Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 4th Inf. [30] In the report released to the public, the U.S. Army concealed the names of the four disciplined officers. Once OP Fritsche soldiers gained control of their mortar pit, Sgt. 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. The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor - Kindle edition by Tapper, Jake. "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.". 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. 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. Military commanders had already decided to close the base the previous summer, but delayed doing so because of other operations. A base at the bottom of a valley surrounded by hills which are. 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 . So it was something that had its objective changed and wasn't moved due to limited resources and it being 'probably good enough' there? 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. From left, Martin Malchev as Specialist Cody Floyd; Jack Kalian as Staff Sgt. Click here for complete coverage of the Afghan war. For the most part, yes. It was adapted for the screen by Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy (Patriots Day and The Fighter). Air Force Capt. An additional 4 Afghan allied fighters also died. 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. 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. 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. Follow-up attacks attempted by Taliban forces were subsequently thwarted by U.S. As we walked into the replica aid station, I looked at Cordova. 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. Capt. (Multiple explosions near the ammo supply set off a series of fires at the post.). 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. 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. The following day, insurgents kidnapped and murdered Fazal Ahad, an elder from Badmuk who was attempting to end the Kom/Kata tribal disagreements by arranging a meeting in Kamdesh. [2], The attackers overran Keating's perimeter defenses about 48 minutes into the battle. [10], OP Fritsche was established to provide overwatch for COP Keating and was manned by a mix of US and Afghan national forces. prosthetic makeup effects sculptor: Millennium FX. [17], 27 soldiers were awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat. The Allies hoped that extending these bases into Nuristan, one of the most remote and isolated eastern provinces in Afghanistan, they could demonstrate to the entire Afghan population the government's credibility and power. In the year that followed the agreement, ANA and American deaths dropped from thirty to three. Does this give anyone else flashbacks to he purple hair admiral in The Last Jedi? The 53. Within the first hour, the American and Latvian defenders had collapsed to a tight internal perimeter, centered on the two buildings that were not burning. These factors resulted in an attractive target for enemy fighters," the report concluded. I'll just quote this part from Staff Sergeant Romesha's Medal of Honor citation: Folks Media Madness is full of arguments over TLJ, we don't need to import that headache into the War Room. 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. Everything was so realistic that had the cameras not been there I would have thought my mind was playing tricks on me. [8] The Coalition forces withdrew from the base shortly after the battle. 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