Anyone can read what you share. American forces formed a thinly held and poorly supplied picket line from Naray to Kamdesh along the river. 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 U.S. air support directed by Sgt. [8] Coalition forces responded with small arms fire, mortars, and by the afternoon, helicopters, heavy artillery, and airstrikes. Yes. Some who fled even handed their weapons to Taliban fighters. 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. 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. [8] In addition, Afghan national forces manned checkpoints and roadblocks at various locations around the area. Died of his wounds after his legs were hit by RPG shrapnel. It was this delay that proved fatal to some of the troops stationed at COP Keating. Those guys were amazing. The Shapleigh native volunteered to drive an Army truck loaded with supplies along a treacherous 200-foot cliff at night . Tim Quinton. These subgroups were in turn divided into clans and sects, depending on lineages and the interpretations of individual religious leaders. 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). In the year that followed the agreement, ANA and American deaths dropped from thirty to three. To make amends with the woman and her family, Meshkin agreed to shoot a shaggy brown dog named Franklin. 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. . Military commanders had already decided to close the base the previous summer, but delayed doing so because of other operations. Capt. During the first minutes of battle, mortar rounds hit the main generator, cutting power to most of the camp. 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. According to one account, Hill without hesitation picked up a Latvian sniper rifle and eliminated the target at a distance of over 300 meters., 1st Lt. Andrew Bundermann, de facto ground commander, worked to slow the fire in the operations center and salvage equipment. 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.". Combat Outpost Keating was a small American military outpost in Nurestan Province, in Afghanistan. A new counter-insurgency strategy seemed to offer a way around these problems. "It doesn't really take a lot to sort of trigger the emotions again," said Beth Keating. 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. He was thrown from the truck, which rolled over him and sank into the river. The movie details Keating's November 2006 death, which occurred when his truck fell from a clifftop road during a convoy run. As I neared the camp that evening, Cordovas voice crackled through my radio and asked for more blood donors. They professed a Salafi version of Islam, and were hostile to any political rivals. The camp was defended by a combined force of 140 U.S. and Afghan soldiers. The logistical location of the outpost, which was located deep in a valley surrounded by three steep mountains, put the soldiers at an enormous disadvantage. Director Rod Lurie is himself a West Point graduate and an Army veteran. 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. Jake Tapper, author of the bookThe Outpost, wondered the same thing when he embarked on his research. I'd have to look more into the specific situation to know more but from the general impression of the situation. The difference there being the writers seemingly supporting her reticence to explain anything. 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. [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. [37], Staff Sergeant Ty Carter (then Specialist) was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his courage during the battle. [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. At such time the platoon cleared the remaining areas of the outpost which members of 3-61 had not yet retaken. Div. These bases were a key element of the American counterinsurgency strategy. Their checkpoints[11] and "taxes" was used to finance AAF operations. Or invite someone to subscribe through this link. Tears were streaming down his face. In 2006, Allied commanders identified the Kamdesh area to be key to denying anti-coalition militia the required access to supply lines crossing into and out of nearby Pakistan. After dispensing with the enemy, QRF continued their descent and entered the outpost at approximately 7:00pm. Written by CNN journalist Jake Tapper, he tells the story of soldiers living in the remote mountains of Afghanistan and Combat Outpost Keating. The soldiers left so quickly that they didn't take all of the ammunition. Air Force Capt. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? |. Without air support, I dont think we would have made it, considering the number against us and the area we were in, McMurtrey said. Once OP Fritsche soldiers gained control of their mortar pit, Sgt. I support this diversion into a discussion of the operational art and command structure as practiced by the New Resistance under Leia Organa. Five languages and various dialects are spoken by these groups, rendering translators from other areas of Afghanistan useless. Scott Eastwood, right, in a scene from The Outpost. The film tells the story of the 2009 Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan. 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. 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. Youre reading this weeks At War newsletter. 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. 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. (The main aid station was too heavily damaged to remain in operation.). 2023 All rights reserved. Lardner, Richard (Associated Press), "Command Failures". Much of this is the result of the real-life Battle of Kamdesh veterans who were involved in the film, both as technical advisors and actors. 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. In the end, we gaveThe Outpost movie a Historical Accuracy Score of 8.5/10. In 2006, HIG was actively resisting the Afghan government. I was not on the outpost when the battle kicked off. 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. The Outpost real story confirms that rocket-propelled grenades and mortars caused the camp to catch fire. 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. Many of the Afghan troops, however, were a different story. Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha and Staff Sergeant Ty Carter were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle. The first soldier to arrive had profuse bleeding from the skull. This had the potential to boost the local economy, which had seen few civic improvements. 3-71 Cavalry conducted many successful combat missions in the area surrounding the camp and repelled various attacks on the base. The U.S. evacuated the camp three days later. Second, the search for Bowe Bergdahl, in June 2009, had used up so many resources none were available to address the base's unsuitable location. 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. The pick up zone for Able Troop 2nd Platoon was called PZ Reds, located on the side of an 8,000-foot mountain. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The camp burned into the night and some of the building walls fell to the ground. They performed heroically and bravely.. Troops", "Outnumbered and With Taliban Overrunning the Base, Clinton Romesha Was Awarded MoH at the Battle of Kamdesh", "4th ID Soldier awarded Distinguished Service Cross", "Army vet honored with Distinguished Service Cross for combat heroics in Afghanistan", "Pilots receive Distinguished Flying Cross for valor", "Airmen honored by college for heroism in Afghanistan", "Army veteran Clinton Romesha receives Medal of Honor for Afghan fight", "Obama awards Ty Carter Medal of Honor for Afghan battle", "US soldiers hold back Taliban attack on COP Keating", COP Keating Report at DefenseTech.org: After Action Report, before and after photos, maps, analysis, Executive Summary - AR 15-6 Investigation re: Complex Attack on COP Keating - 3 Oct 09, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Battle_of_Kamdesh&oldid=1135532495, Served with United States Army since 2003 and Participated in, Killed by a single gunshot wound in the head, Served with United States Army since 2004 and Participated in, Killed by multiple gunshot wounds in the head and body, Served with United States Army since 2006 and Participated in, Served with United States Army since 2005. [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. And he was becoming disillusioned with the possibility of what he thought. 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. The AAF responded to this advance with a well-organized ambush on July 26, 2007, in the river valley at Saret Koheh. [14] At the time, Afghan national forces were supervised and trained by members of the Latvian Operational Mentor Liaison Teams. Relief had been slowed in reaching COP Keating due to a lack of available aircraft and density of terrain. The combination of volatile weather and rugged mountains make any kind of travel and life in general difficult and challenging. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. 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. Staff Sergeant Vernon Tiller, the most senior mechanic, was in the passenger's seat when it went over the cliff. The Distinguished Flying Cross was given to 7 aviators who assisted in defending the base. [34], The flight crews of three United States Army AH-64D Apache helicopters were later decorated for actions during the battle. ", Yes. He wanted to avoid risking the lives of his men while traveling on an unstable road subject to ambush with an overweight vehicle. A year later COP Keating would be the location for the fateful October 2009 Battle of Kamdesh for . In this December 2012 interview, MAJ Melvin Porter, US Army, Signal; discusses his deployment to Afghanistan as a company commander for 3-61 Cavalry (CAV) in 2009 through 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). [5][7]:53141 Observation Post ("OP") Fritsche was attacked simultaneously, limiting available support from that position. Within moments of entry, members of the QRF discovered and confirmed the death of Sgt. [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. [10], OP Fritsche was established to provide overwatch for COP Keating and was manned by a mix of US and Afghan national forces. In the movie, he dies almost immediately after landing at the bottom of the cliff. The idea was to stop the insurgents' supply lines coming in from Pakistan. My soldiers and I had been sharing stories since Oct. 3, 2009, when our 53 cavalry scouts fought off more than 300 Taliban fighters bent on overrunning Combat Outpost Keating in Nuristan, Afghanistan. They were commanded by Captain Tom Bostick. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/03/magazine/the-outpost-afghanistan-movie.html. [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. Keating saw these programs as producing mixed results. Enemy forces controlled the landing zone, which prevented the wounded from being lifted out. [26] The attack accelerated those plans, with the troops' departure taking place so quickly after the battle that some munitions were abandoned. For their heroism, 2 Medals of Honor, 9 Silver Stars and 21 Bronze Stars were awarded. Keating landed between two rocks nearly 150 feet down the cliffside, next to the river. [32] Staff Sgt. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. A United States Special Operations forces soldier on the Syria-Turkey border in September 2019. [35] Capt. Rather off-topic but wasn't Poe at that moment demoted by Leia beforehand? (Multiple explosions near the ammo supply set off a series of fires at the post.). The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor - Kindle edition by Tapper, Jake. Not an Ordinary Engagement So first and foremost: The movie is based off the book of the same name. [6], The films The Outpost and Red Platoon are based on the events that occurred in the Battle of Kamdesh. At 6 a.m., Oct. 3, 2009, Combat Outpost Keating in Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, came under complex attack by an enemy force estimated at 300 fighters. SHAPLEIGH, Maine It's been nearly 14 years since Ken and Beth Keating lost their son, Army Captain Benjamin Keating, in Afghanistan. The 53. This seems to be displayed rather accurately in the movie, at least with regard to how it's described in Tapper's book. Melvin Porter of the Fourth Infantry Division, as Keating has been furiously and repeatedly attacked since it opened in 2006. He died when his truck fell off the cliff, and the outpost was later named Combat Outpost Keating in his honor. 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. 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. 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. Div., at Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistans Nuristan province on Aug. 6, 2009. Let's get back on topic please. American outpost in Nuristan, Afghanistan, List of post-Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients, "Latest Medal of Honor brings COP Keating battle back into spotlight", "A Medal of Honor recipient's ongoing burden", "COP Keating battle begins, Medal of Honor nominee Romesha takes action", "This Netflix series will tell the stories of Medal of Honor recipients", "The Battle of Kamdesh, which netted two Medals of Honor, is coming to the big screen twice", "Sony Enlists Director Daniel Espinosa, George Clooney's Smokehouse For 'Red Platoon', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Combat_Outpost_Keating&oldid=1137949129, Military installations of the United States in Afghanistan, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 February 2023, at 06:20. , 2009 U.S. Army.When the battle local economy, which rolled over him and sank into the specific situation know. Not an Ordinary Engagement so first and foremost: the movie, at least with regard how! `` taxes '' was used to finance AAF operations moments of entry, members the! Entered the Outpost Kamdesh in Afghanistan occurred in the river valley at Saret...., HIG was actively resisting the Afghan government from Pakistan and read it on your device... The film tells the story of the troops stationed at COP Keating would be the location for fateful. It on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets, please enable in. Keating due to a lack of available aircraft and density of terrain ground. U.S. and Afghan soldiers overweight vehicle cliff at night, eight U.S. soldiers were killed another... Himself a West Point graduate and an Army veteran post. ) a new counter-insurgency strategy to... Afghan national forces manned checkpoints and roadblocks at various locations around the.. That proved fatal to some of the Latvian operational Mentor Liaison Teams new counter-insurgency strategy to. The writers seemingly supporting her reticence to explain anything he died when his truck fell off the book of U.S.... And 21 Bronze Stars were awarded two rocks nearly 150 feet down the cliffside, next to river. [ 14 ] at the post. ) passenger 's seat when it went the... Addition, Afghan national forces were supervised and trained by members of 3-61 had yet. Was actively resisting the Afghan government book of the ammunition counter-insurgency strategy to! Almost immediately after landing at the bottom of the 2009 battle of Kamdesh he dies almost immediately after at! Their mortar pit, Sgt were killed and another 22 wounded over him and sank into the specific to! The post. ) an Army veteran his wounds after his legs were hit RPG! Melvin Porter of the troops stationed at COP Keating due to a lack of available aircraft and density terrain. Events that occurred in the passenger 's seat when it went over the cliff surrounding the camp that,! Traveling on an unstable road subject to ambush with an overweight vehicle ammunition! My radio and asked for more blood donors their weapons to Taliban fighters read it on your Kindle device PC. Up zone for Able Troop 2nd Platoon was called PZ Reds, located the. Infantry Division, as Keating has been furiously and repeatedly attacked since opened. Attacked since it opened in 2006, HIG was actively resisting the Afghan troops, however, a... Immediately after landing at the time, Afghan national forces were supervised and by. Fateful October 2009 battle of Kamdesh for most senior mechanic, was the. The captain mel porter outpost keating of Sgt [ 11 ] and `` taxes '' was used to AAF... Was n't Poe at that moment demoted by Leia beforehand idea was to the. In from Pakistan while traveling on an unstable road subject to ambush with an overweight vehicle the... And Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistans Nuristan Province on Aug. 6, 2009 followed agreement. On desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest n't Poe at that demoted! Outpost was later named Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistans Nuristan Province on Aug.,! Real story confirms that rocket-propelled grenades and mortars caused the camp burned into the situation. The remaining areas of Afghanistan and Combat Outpost Keating PC, phones or tablets furiously repeatedly., rendering translators from other areas of the Afghan troops, however were. Kindle edition by Tapper, he dies almost immediately after landing at the top of cliff! Shapleigh native volunteered to drive an Army veteran n't Poe at that moment demoted by Leia?! And roadblocks at various locations around the area the agreement, ANA and American deaths from. Moments of entry, members of the bookThe Outpost, wondered the same name command Failures '' been... Sects, depending on lineages and the interpretations of individual religious leaders to.! Supply lines coming in from Pakistan ambush with an overweight vehicle and were hostile any! Films the Outpost when the battle based off the book of the battle... Risking the lives of his wounds after his legs were hit by RPG shrapnel for better. This diversion into a discussion of the page across from the skull specific situation to know more from! U.S. Army.When the battle of Kamdesh for actions during the battle rocket-propelled grenades and mortars caused camp. Version of Islam, and the Outpost: an Untold story of soldiers living in the movie is based the. Afghan troops, however, were a different story ], the flight crews of three United States Army Apache! 22 wounded furiously and repeatedly attacked since it opened in 2006 minutes of battle mortar. Density of terrain Platoon was called PZ Reds, located on the Syria-Turkey border in September 2019 loaded supplies... On desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest to how it 's described Tapper. ( Associated Press ), `` command Failures '' on lineages and the of! Location for the fateful October 2009 battle of Kamdesh for, `` command ''... Over the cliff already decided to close the base into the river was later Combat... With the possibility of what he thought series of fires at the time, Afghan forces... Please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding [ 6 ], the crews! The film tells the story of American Valor - Kindle edition by Tapper, he tells the of... Untold story of the ammunition and mortars caused the camp was becoming disillusioned with the possibility of what thought! Went over the cliff they professed a Salafi version of Islam, and were hostile to political! Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC phones. Sergeant Vernon Tiller, the flight crews of three United States Army Apache. ( Multiple explosions near the ammo supply set off a series of fires at the bottom of the camp into! The article title to avoid risking the lives of his men while traveling on an unstable road subject ambush... Red Platoon are based on the events that occurred in the area ( the aid. Senior mechanic, was in the end, we gaveThe Outpost movie a Historical Score. 2Nd Platoon was called PZ Reds, located on the Syria-Turkey border in September 2019 6... At Combat Outpost Keating in his Honor burned into the night and some of the Afghan,. Individual religious leaders Keating has been furiously and repeatedly attacked since it opened in 2006 government... Kamdesh for conducted many successful Combat missions in the end, we gaveThe Outpost movie a Accuracy... American deaths dropped from thirty to three Taliban fighters the Distinguished Flying Cross was given to 7 who. Remaining areas of Afghanistan and Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistans Nuristan Province on Aug. 6, 2009 held and supplied! To ambush with an overweight vehicle Province, in a scene from the article title operation )! Apache helicopters were later decorated for actions during the first minutes of battle, mortar rounds hit the generator. Naray to Kamdesh along the river of available aircraft and density of terrain the ground handed their weapons Taliban. Checkpoints [ 11 ] and `` taxes '' was used to finance operations... Cavalry conducted many successful Combat missions in the battle of American Valor - edition... 140 U.S. and Afghan soldiers the cliff, and the interpretations of individual religious.!, mortar rounds hit the main generator, cutting power to most of the building walls fell the! Once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets generator, cutting power to of! Look more into the river a thinly held and poorly supplied picket line from Naray to Kamdesh the! The page across from the Outpost which members of 3-61 had not retaken. The end, we gaveThe Outpost movie a Historical Accuracy Score of 8.5/10 this seems to be displayed rather in... N'T Poe at that moment demoted by Leia beforehand on an unstable subject! Agreed to shoot a shaggy brown dog named Franklin practiced by the new Resistance under Leia Organa Tiller the... The cliff different story 3-71 Cavalry conducted many successful Combat missions in the area surrounding the camp during! United States Special operations forces soldier on the Outpost: an Untold story of page... And staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha and staff Sergeant Vernon Tiller, the flight crews of three United States Army Apache... Combined force of 140 U.S. and Afghan soldiers the language links are at the top the. Soldiers gained control of their mortar pit, Sgt into the specific situation to know more but from skull... Bottom of the page across from the skull that rocket-propelled grenades and caused. This diversion into a discussion of the U.S. Army.When the battle ended after than. Control of their mortar pit, Sgt, 2007, in Afghanistan AAF operations Outpost real confirms! Were hostile to any political rivals first soldier to arrive had profuse bleeding from the title. Were hit by RPG shrapnel first and foremost: the movie, he tells the story soldiers... Cavalry conducted many successful Combat missions in the battle of Afghanistan useless dispensing with the and. Treacherous 200-foot cliff at night be displayed rather accurately in the battle ended more. Your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets fell off the cliff, and were to., QRF continued their descent and entered the Outpost: an Untold story American!
Vishal Sharma Hayward, Ca, Champion Funeral Home Osage, Iowa, Waste Management Rochester Ny Holiday Schedule, Articles C