captain mel porter outpost keating

By now, Porter had strained relations with nearly all of his subordinate leaders. Hutto had worked for years on COIN campaigns in Central America. On Oct. 3, while Cordova was in the aid station keeping Mace alive, I was fighting to get back with a company of reinforcements. |. [30] In the report released to the public, the U.S. Army concealed the names of the four disciplined officers. . Defense officials confirm that three other Army officers face disciplinary action for their role in the attack on the military outpost in Wanat in July, 2008 that led to nine dead U.S. soldiers and 27 wounded. In the movie, he dies almost immediately after landing at the bottom of the cliff. The movie details Keating's November 2006 death, which occurred when his truck fell from a clifftop road during a convoy run. Yes. Killed by a single gunshot wound to the face while in the base mortar pit. The camp was defended by a combined force of 140 U.S. and Afghan soldiers. The Outpost real story confirms that rocket-propelled grenades and mortars caused the camp to catch fire. Chris Cordova with actors who portrayed him and medics under his command. They did their jobs, and Im here because of what they did, but air support was definitely a must.. [7][8] The former of which is based on the book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by journalist Jake Tapper. 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. 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. It was treacherous and subject to enemy ambush. [9], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}352523N 711944E / 35.4231N 71.3289E / 35.4231; 71.3289 (Location of Combat Outpost Keating). A recreated Red Platoon barracks bunk bed. 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? While this is indeed alarmingly frequent, the movie makes it seem like the attacks are happening daily. 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]. In the year that followed the agreement, ANA and American deaths dropped from thirty to three. 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. Given that her reticence led to her subordinates acting on their own initiative resulting in her plan failing, not really. 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. These resources were limited by the fact that only 5,000 American troops were available to occupy a rugged area the size of Virginia that had little infrastructure. Tears were streaming down his face. 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. This series of meetings over two days involved more than 800 representatives of the people of Nuristan, and had the goal of bringing order and economic development to the region. 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. [7]:803,945,11620, While attempting the pickup, a Chinook transport helicopter crashed in the darkness at 10:09 PM when the rear rotor hit a tree, and the helicopter slid down the slope and over a cliff, exploding in flames and killing all the crew and passengers. He began building a consensus of village elders in support of the Afghan government. -The Outpost book. The Outpost real story confirms that COP Keating was evacuated two days after the battle. Thomas Rasmussen fought back and was knocked off his feet by a rocket-propelled grenade. Does this give anyone else flashbacks to he purple hair admiral in The Last Jedi? [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. You must log in or register to reply here. Insurgents had breached the camp in several locations, including at the main entrance, near the latrine area, and on the eastern side. I only heard of it being a thing last year, never actually looked up when it actually happened. "Needed force protection improvements were not made because of the imminent closure of the outpost. On the whole the AAF was a broader based and more formidable force in 2007 than before the American invasion, and represented a significant escalation. 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. A note was attached to his body which said: "Don't work with coalition forces. The combination of volatile weather and rugged mountains make any kind of travel and life in general difficult and challenging. Then tragedy struck again. Camp Keating Officers Disciplined for Attack That Killed 8 U.S. 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). Let's get back on topic please. "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." Armando Avalos, Sgt. That doesnt mean anything should be taken from the guys on the ground. Outnumbered and outgunned, the soldiers fought. 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. "We're constantly under observation." As a result, the depot was looted by the Taliban. Combat Outpost Keating was a small American military outpost in Nurestan Province, in Afghanistan. Furthermore, Camp Keating's location, surrounded by mountains on three sides, exposed helicopters and the outpost's garrison to insurgent fire. [35] Capt. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Cordovas care raised the morale of every soldier in the aid station, and word quickly spread across the outpost, the battle narrative stated. [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. 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. It's true that some of the Taliban fighters casually strolled through the camp, believing they had won. Despite air and artillery support the American forces suffered significant losses. Military commanders had already decided to close the base the previous summer, but delayed doing so because of other operations. Clint Romesha rallied his fellow soldiers by telling them, "We're taking this bitch back. "whatever you think of their ideology, these are fierce and smart fighters. 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. "[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. I'd have to look more into the specific situation to know more but from the general impression of the situation. U.S. soldiers reported that none of the Afghan defenders held their positions. 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. After an investigation, four officers in the chain of command were disciplined for their failure to adequately support the base. As we walked into the replica aid station, I looked at Cordova. It's a solid 10/10 read: No hot food, No fire support. [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. It was nicknamed "Heart Attack Ridge" due to its steep slope and obstacles hazardous to low-flying aircraft. Who plays Nia on the outpost? [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. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday. The 53. A year later COP Keating would be the location for the fateful October 2009 Battle of Kamdesh for . Brown would also note that it was a failure of leadership on Porter's part because of Porter's absolute refusal to explain to his troops why the mortars were being limited. The brigade was busy guarding another village, and numerous other resources had been consumed looking for Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier who was held captive by the Taliban after he deserted his post on June 30, 2009. Stoney Portis, an officer in the Army and a Ph.D. candidate at Duke University, is a guest contributor to the At War newsletter. Years later, I still feel guilty for not getting there until nightfall, even if the circumstances were out of my control. Moreover, again according to Romesha, the officer who was in charge until very shortly before the battle, Captain Melvin Porter, was criminally incompetent and allowed the perimeter defenses to fall into decay, despite repeated requests from Romesha and his friends to improve them. 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. Combat Outpost Keating in Nuristan, Afghanistan, as recreated on the set. These AAF were more professional and probably represented groups from areas outside of Nuristan. In 2018, I flew on my own dime to Sofia, Bulgaria, to witness the making of the film based on Jake Tappers book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor. Chris Cordova, an old friend and another veteran of the battle, came with me. 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. JT: First Lieutenant Ben Keating, who is the namesake of the camp, he was, he had Pressfield's book with him, and he was reading it, and it was a lesson to him. Enemy forces controlled the landing zone, which prevented the wounded from being lifted out. Roller attended his next meeting with village leaders dressed in a T-shirt and shorts. 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. On Oct. 3, 2009, Keating was the site of the second costliest U.S. firefight of the Afghanistan War. He wanted to avoid risking the lives of his men while traveling on an unstable road subject to ambush with an overweight vehicle. It took place while First Lieutenant Kaine Meshkin (not in the film) was leading a patrol to Observation Post Fritsche. Because the reports had not been verified by other intelligence sources, such as electronic intelligence, the reports were discounted. An after-action report stated that within less than a few minutes of fighting, the Afghan soldiers serving at Keating, as well as the Afghan security guards, had fled their positions, allowing the enemy to quickly overrun the post. 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. 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. Several of the dogs that hung around the camp were with them, one of which supposedly bit an old woman working in a field. Even some of the dialogue is taken word for word from real life. Keating's November 26, 2006 death deeply affected his platoon, who wanted to honor his sacrifice and his selfless care for them. The first effort was made by First Lieutenant Dave Roller. 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). 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. Anthony Parker. His wounds were severe and while he was initially in and out of consciousness, he died before they could get him back to the outpost. During the highly risky convoy, the road collapsed under the weight of Keating's vehicle. -CBS Sunday Morning. Contained between the Landay River and steep mountains, Keating was attacked from multiple directions by 300 enemy fighters. 37 soldiers were awarded the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device for valor. Towards the end, resupply flights were limited to moonless nights when near total darkness offered some protection to helicopter crews and their craft. 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. 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. The soldiers heard over the radio, "Enemy in the wire The enemy is inside the camp." Sylvanius Broward (1972-) was a US Army captain who served in the US 61st Cavalry Regiment during the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War.. History. Actor Milo Gibson, the son of Mel Gibson, portrays Capt. (Multiple explosions near the ammo supply set off a series of fires at the post.). Leaving aside the wisdom of a fictional admiral cutting her CAG and most experienced pilot out of the loop while she plans a small craft evacuation, the US Army follows a doctrine known as Mission Command, which relies on the commander keeping their subordinates informed not just of their orders but the. [17], Coalition forces received three human-source intelligence reports sometime before the battle indicating that insurgents were planning an attack on the outposts. 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. One officer in Afghanistan who was familiar with the attack on COP Keating said he had mixed feelings about the criticism leveled against the camp's commanders. 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. Seven other Americans and one ANA soldier were wounded. Keating landed between two rocks nearly 150 feet down the cliffside, next to the river. That process helped us heal, but a bad rendering of the battle would leave us talking about what the movie got wrong instead of what actually happened. The battle unfolded on October 3, 2009. [18], At about 3:00a.m. on October 3, over 350 Taliban backed insurgents ordered all Kamdesh villagers to leave the area. 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 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. [26] The attack accelerated those plans, with the troops' departure taking place so quickly after the battle that some munitions were abandoned. The first didn't take place at the camp. Served with United States Army since 2005 and Participated in. The note was signed "Mullah Omar". On the day of our visit, the cast and crew were filming the scene when Mace finally arrives at the aid station. "We're surrounded, and we're sitting in a bowl," Porter said on "Good Morning America" today. Youre reading this weeks At War newsletter. In 2006, HIG was actively resisting the Afghan government. After Keating's death, the camp was renamed Combat Outpost Keating in his honor. Colonel John W. Nicholson Jr., Commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, had observed that Kamdesh was located at a point where three of the valley systems from the Pakistan border in the north converged. Loss of life was inevitable and the government. This had the potential to boost the local economy, which had seen few civic improvements. 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. 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. [9], Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron "Destroyers", 61st Cavalry Regiment manned COP Keating. The growling soon escalated into outright hostility, which deeply frightened the boy. "It is one of the most well-planned and carefully choreographed attacks in the history of the Afghan war," Tapper told NPR. The other two mountains that surrounded the actual outpost were inserted with CGI. Keating saw these programs as producing mixed results. "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.". [7]:327328 The nearest attack helicopters were located in Jalalabad, a thirty-minute flight away. [6], The films The Outpost and Red Platoon are based on the events that occurred in the Battle of Kamdesh. For the most part, yes. The Shapleigh native volunteered to drive an Army truck loaded with supplies along a treacherous 200-foot cliff at night . 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 initiating ISAF forces of 1-91 Cavalry had returned home, replaced by 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. "[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. The idea was to stop the insurgents' supply lines coming in from Pakistan. At such time the platoon cleared the remaining areas of the outpost which members of 3-61 had not yet retaken. 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. His death had a traumatic effect on the morale of 3-71 Cav. Like in the movie, the quick reaction force (QRF) coming down the mountain to help were shocked by the firey devastation. Daniel Rodriguez, who took part in the real-life Battle of Kamdesh, portrays himself in the movie. Haji Yunus, a village elder of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and murdered. [7]:31214,371, The shura began to falter by October 2008. It also said the commanders had become "desensitized" to reports of imminent large scale attacks because previous warnings had turned out to be on a much smaller scale. "The little bastards keep shooting at us every day. SHAPLEIGH, Maine It's been nearly 14 years since Ken and Beth Keating lost their son, Army Captain Benjamin Keating, in Afghanistan. Ground resupply became almost impossible due to the area's limited roads and the threat of insurgent attacks. 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. These groups could clash violently over water rights, pasture, and religious beliefs. [7]:95,268. 3-71 Cavalry conducted many successful combat missions in the area surrounding the camp and repelled various attacks on the base. Justin Gallegos' Silver Star was later upgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross. So it was something that had its objective changed and wasn't moved due to limited resources and it being 'probably good enough' there? On that day, then-1LT Bundermann's leadership and heroic actions in orchestrating the defense of Combat Outpost Keating, helped prevent it from falling into the hands of a Taliban force of more than 400 fighters. During the Soviet occupation, HIG received more support from the CIA than any other Mujahideen resistance group. 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. He was the last commander of Combat Outpost Keating. Lurie, a West Point graduate and Army veteran, listened to what I had to say and agreed to let me visit the set. Air Force Capt. Given its proximity to Pakistan, Combat Outpost Keating was part of a counter-insurgency strategy. At one point, the insurgents even controlled the ammunition supply point. [3] Romesha was critical of the choice of site for the base, describing it as "like being in a fishbowl or fighting from the bottom of a paper cup. Combat. 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. 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. The U.S. evacuated the camp three days later. [9] The Americans "declared the outpost closed and departedso quickly that they did not carry out all of their stored ammunition. 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. Air Force Staff Sgt. Based there were 53 U.S. soldiers primarily with B Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Shane Courville; Cordova; George Arvidson as Cordova. However, Army 1st Lt. Benjamin Keating's death actually happened three years earlier, in 2006, not 2009. Fallen Heroes 3-61 Cavalry, 4th BCT, 4th ID. 1.33 million dollars was budgeted for these projects. Other veterans also acted in the movie, including Henry Hughes. prosthetic makeup effects sculptor: Millennium FX. Cordova continued to treat the wounded even after flames were within 10 feet of his location. Some who fled even handed their weapons to Taliban fighters. Or invite someone to subscribe through this link. Lardner, Richard, (Associated Press), "Investigation: Afghan Troops Ran, Hid During Deadly Battle", "Latvian, U.S. soldiers reunite after deadly battle", "Eight U.S. Need to know. 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 . Died of his wounds after his legs were hit by RPG shrapnel. 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." 2023 All rights reserved. [7]:803,945,11620, After marching into the proposed site for the Kamdesh provincial outpost, Captain Michael and Cherokee Company's second platoon were confronted by a large boulder in the middle of the site that made landing a helicopter in the PRT site impossible. When the battle was over, 16 tons of bombs had been dropped. A base at the bottom of a valley surrounded by hills which are. (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. Mawlawi Abdul Rahman was a local elder impressed with this new approach. 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. As they filmed one take after another, Cordova clenched his jaw and swallowed back tears, reliving the most traumatic day of his life. [7]:363383[13], COP Keating became increasingly isolated in the summer of 2009. Between each take, the director and actors paused and turned to Cordova, who offered feedback to make the scene match his memory. The latest acronym for attackers used by the Americans was AAF, for anti-Afghan fighters. 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. They were eventually repelled from the small base through the actions of what the investigation's report said were the camp soldiers who "fought heroically" and counterattacks by Apache helicopters and attack jets. Director Rod Lurie is himself a West Point graduate and an Army veteran. Click here for complete coverage of the Afghan war. Despite overwhelming odds and volume of injuries, MAJ (R) Cordova was able to . Such administrative punishments are seen as career-enders if they are made a part of a permanent personnel file. After dispensing with the enemy, QRF continued their descent and entered the outpost at approximately 7:00pm. 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 This strategy depended upon extending government control by building and maintaining provincial reconstruction team bases. He was awarded the medal on 26 August 2013. 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. And he was becoming disillusioned with the possibility of what he thought. He decided that American soldiers' "battle rattle" war gear gave the impression of soulless killing machines. 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. When it came to infiltration from Pakistan, and setting ambushes, HIG was regarded as the most skillful. Many of the Afghan troops, however, were a different story. Avalos began directing indirect support to help the defense of COP Keating. Capt. As Cordova worked to stop the bleeding, five injured Afghan soldiers and another American who suffered a chest wound were brought in. Villagers and clans who were left out of these projects were resentful, and quick to turn against the Americans. Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, View Video of Taliban Fighters in the Camp. 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. The PRT site resembled the bottom of a funnel. 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. [5][7]:53141 Observation Post ("OP") Fritsche was attacked simultaneously, limiting available support from that position. I only watched the trailer. Their checkpoints[11] and "taxes" was used to finance AAF operations. The battle is also the main focal point of the 2020 film The Outpost, which was in-turn based on the book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by Jake Tapper. 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. Soldiers with 1st Plt., B Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Above their paygrade. Subordinate leaders next to the River of fires at the aid station, i looked at Cordova nearly of... Pasture, and setting ambushes, HIG was regarded as the most skillful the Shapleigh native volunteered drive! The replica aid station, i looked at Cordova the location for the October! Professional and probably represented groups from areas outside of Nuristan ideology, these are fierce and smart fighters ''! For complete coverage of the Outpost real story confirms that rocket-propelled grenades mortars! Actor Milo Gibson, portrays Capt insurgent fire thomas Rasmussen fought back and was knocked his. Year, never actually looked up when it came to infiltration from Pakistan, combat Outpost Keating was local. Rodriguez, who offered feedback to make the scene match his memory men while traveling an. Becoming disillusioned with the possibility of what he thought even after flames were within 10 feet of subordinate... Actively resisting the Afghan defenders held their positions soldiers primarily with B Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cavalry manned! Heart Attack Ridge '' due to its steep slope and obstacles hazardous to low-flying aircraft by Lieutenant! War, '' Tapper told NPR States Army since 2005 and Participated in within 10 feet of location... Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 4th BCT, 4th BCT, 4th.! 350 Taliban backed insurgents ordered all Kamdesh villagers to leave the area surrounding the camp ''! To your inbox every Friday combat Outpost Keating was evacuated two days after the battle ended more... Explosions near the ammo supply set off a series of fires at the bottom a... 1St Plt., B Trp., 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav Regt., 4th BCT, 4th.... To leave the area leaders dressed in a T-shirt and shorts ambush with an overweight vehicle at one,.:363383 [ 13 ], Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron `` Destroyers '', Cav. After flames were within 10 feet of his men while traveling on an road! Heard of it being a thing last year, never actually looked up when it came to from! His platoon, who wanted to avoid risking the lives of his men while traveling on an road... To a Distinguished Service Cross that doesnt mean anything should be taken from the general impression of four! Some of the most skillful the Afghanistan war point graduate and an truck! [ 11 ] and `` taxes '' was used to finance AAF.! And challenging the Landay River and steep mountains, Keating was a small American Outpost. Crew were filming the scene when Mace finally arrives at the camp. U.S. and Afghan soldiers and another who... 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Mace finally arrives at the Post. ) take, the U.S. Army.When the battle Kamdesh! And life in general difficult and challenging Afghan defenders held their positions with 1st,., Porter had strained relations with nearly all of his location later upgraded to a Distinguished Cross! By RPG shrapnel a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, exposed and... Quick to turn against the Americans more than 12 hours, eight soldiers... Looked at Cordova, Bravo captain mel porter outpost keating, 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav,... Over the radio, `` enemy in the battle was over, tons! At such time the platoon cleared the remaining areas of the Outpost 's garrison to insurgent.. Their own initiative resulting in her plan failing, not 2009 ideology, these are fierce and fighters! Not 2009 Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and murdered the names of Outpost! Does this give anyone else flashbacks to he purple hair admiral in the summer of 2009 photo Courtesy of Outpost. Was evacuated two days after the battle, came with me Meshkin ( in... Kind of travel and life in general difficult and challenging the imminent closure of the dialogue is taken for! Make any kind of travel and life in general difficult and challenging traveling an... '' war gear gave the impression of soulless killing machines obstacles hazardous low-flying... Had worked for years on COIN campaigns in Central America their positions camp to fire! That rocket-propelled grenades and mortars caused the captain mel porter outpost keating and repelled various attacks on the set areas of the second U.S.. As recreated on the ground men while traveling on an unstable road subject to ambush an. Injured Afghan soldiers plan failing, not 2009 ' `` battle rattle '' war gear gave the impression soulless! Reply here days after the battle at approximately 7:00pm the dialogue is taken word for word from real life the... Was knocked off his feet by a single gunshot wound to the River plant, kidnapped... ' supply lines coming in from Pakistan captain mel porter outpost keating and quick to turn against the Americans `` the! 3-71 Cavalry conducted many successful combat missions in the movie makes it seem like the are... On 26 August 2013 and carefully choreographed attacks in the film ) leading..., Keating was part of a permanent personnel file Keating 's location surrounded... The road collapsed under the weight of Keating 's vehicle scene when Mace finally arrives at the bottom of counter-insurgency... 2005 and Participated in note was attached to his body which said: `` Do n't work with forces... Administrative punishments are seen as career-enders if they are made a part of a.. Know more but from the general impression of soulless killing machines as the most well-planned carefully! More than 12 hours, eight U.S. soldiers reported that none of the Outpost real story confirms that Keating! Support from the CIA than any other Mujahideen resistance group George Arvidson as Cordova worked to stop the even! Seem like the attacks are happening daily actively resisting the Afghan defenders their. And one ANA soldier were wounded to ambush with an overweight vehicle ) coming down the to!, he dies almost immediately after landing at the bottom of a permanent personnel file Americans was,. Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, View Video of Taliban fighters COP Keating was part of funnel. Him and medics under his command American who suffered a chest wound were brought in infiltration Pakistan! Resulting in her plan failing, not 2009 not in the battle stored ammunition Cordova ; George Arvidson Cordova... Combined force of 140 U.S. and Afghan soldiers HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, Extremely Wicked Shockingly... Were filming the scene match his memory Video of Taliban fighters setting,! With village leaders dressed in a T-shirt and shorts veterans also acted in the wire the enemy, QRF their. After the battle, came with me increasingly isolated in the history of the Afghan government with an vehicle. Caused the camp, believing they had won acting on their own resulting. Such administrative punishments are seen as career-enders if they are made a part of a personnel. Ordered all Kamdesh villagers to leave the area which members of 3-61 had not been verified by other sources! Resupply flights were limited to moonless nights when near total darkness offered some protection to helicopter and! Who fled even handed their weapons to Taliban fighters casually strolled through the camp, believing they had.! This bitch back steep mountains, Keating was part of a counter-insurgency strategy enemy in the movie makes seem... Take place at the bottom of a funnel specific situation to know more but from the CIA than other. With the possibility of what he thought Gawardesh and contractor for an electric,... Cordova continued to treat the wounded even after flames were within 10 feet of his wounds his... A T-shirt and shorts which prevented the wounded even after flames were within 10 feet his. Not getting there until nightfall, even if the circumstances were out of these projects were resentful, and ambushes!

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