As we walked into the replica aid station, I looked at Cordova. Follow-up attacks attempted by Taliban forces were subsequently thwarted by U.S. Harder, from Minnesota, just 29, was in charge of a small team of soldiers at the combat outpost, COP Keating. Div. An additional 4 Afghan allied fighters also died. 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. I only heard of it being a thing last year, never actually looked up when it actually happened. The Allies stopped using the Kamdesh-Naray road. Zorias Yunger), most of what unfolds in the movie is largely accurate. U.S. air support directed by Sgt. [7]:298304, By October 2007 the elders and mullahs of the Kamdesh area had been inspired by Rahman to gather at Kamdesh for a mass meeting, or shura to plan the future of Nuristan. Div., at Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistans Nuristan province on Aug. 6, 2009. [14] At the time, Afghan national forces were supervised and trained by members of the Latvian Operational Mentor Liaison Teams. [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. What if there was a country in place of the Bay of Biscay? Combat Outpost Keating was a small American military outpost in Nurestan Province, in Afghanistan. The movie is based on the 2012 nonfiction book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by CNN's Jake Tapper. In 2006, HIG was actively resisting the Afghan government. 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." "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. The village leaders elected a representative council of 100 members to form a shura that would produce a regional security plan and obtain an agreement with the American military and the Afghan Karzai government. Seven other Americans and one ANA soldier were wounded. The report said the heroic action of American and Afghan soldiers contributed to a "severe tactical defeat for the Taliban" that resulted in as many as 150 Taliban fighters being killed. 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. 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 . 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. 3-71 Cavalry conducted many successful combat missions in the area surrounding the camp and repelled various attacks on the base. [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. | Trademarks and service marks of VFW. Read more from At War here or follow us on Twitter. Despite overwhelming odds and volume of injuries, MAJ (R) Cordova was able to . For their heroism, 2 Medals of Honor, 9 Silver Stars and 21 Bronze Stars were awarded. On Oct. 3, 2009, Keating was the site of the second costliest U.S. firefight of the Afghanistan War. 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. [33] 1st Lt. Andrew Bundermann's Silver Star was upgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross as well. 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. 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. Director Rod Lurie is himself a West Point graduate and an Army veteran. In the process, the truck rolled over him and ended up almost fully submerged in the river. [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. ", was Keating's assessment. To a man, they all felt they had an obligation to help out in those areas where they saw Portar as failing, but upon hearing their recommendations, the captain consistently told them, point blank, that he was the commander, not them. For his gallantry, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal *, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor. Shot in the head by a Taliban sniper after being wounded by RPG fire. As a result, the depot was looted by the Taliban. Chris Cordova with actors who portrayed him and medics under his command. Unlike Donahue, Nicholson was a supporter of COIN in addition to seeing Kamdesh as a decisive control point. Wed love your feedback on this newsletter. When Cordova and I arrived on set, both of us were astounded. He jumped up undeterred and ran through heavy fire to get more ammunition. 2023 All rights reserved. But the courage of the Americans who fought there will never be forgotten. 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. Camp Keating Officers Disciplined for Attack That Killed 8 U.S. He was the last commander of Combat Outpost Keating. 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. 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. 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. The landing zone was placed on the other side of the river on a rocky peninsula jutting into the river near Urmul. [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. A dog named Cali growled at the eldest son of an Afghan Security Guard, who would often come to the post with his father. Unlike the movie, The Outpost true story reveals that Keating was not alone in the truck. Another 10 Afghan soldiers and several Taliban were killed during these operations. These subgroups were in turn divided into clans and sects, depending on lineages and the interpretations of individual religious leaders. 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. As Cordova worked to stop the bleeding, five injured Afghan soldiers and another American who suffered a chest wound were brought in. Contained between the Landay River and steep mountains, Keating was attacked from multiple directions by 300 enemy fighters. 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. 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. In the end, we gaveThe Outpost movie a Historical Accuracy Score of 8.5/10. After Keating's death, a "Night Letter" appeared on the door of the Upper Kamdesh mosque on April 29, 2007. From November through January 2008 members of the Shura traveled the villages of the Kamdesh area, informing the residents of the support agreement and stating that the era of holy war was over, and that local government would bring peace and prosperity. He saw service in the First Barbary War, the War of 1812 and in the West Indies.On July 2, 1812, Porter hoisted the banner "Free trade and sailors' rights" as captain of USS Essex. 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 . Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha and Staff Sergeant Ty Carter were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions 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. (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. In the movie, a dog that some of the soldiers at the outpost are taking care of bites a visiting Kamdesh village elder. I was not on the outpost when the battle kicked off. [2] Two Americans, Staff Sergeants Clinton L. Romesha and (then Specialist) Ty Carter were awarded the Medal of Honor for their role in defending the base.[3]. [5] The U.S. military estimated that 150 Taliban insurgents were also killed as a result of repulsing the assault. Avalos began directing indirect support to help the defense of COP Keating. Let's get back on topic please. Enemy forces controlled the landing zone, which prevented the wounded from being lifted out. 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. Ground resupply became almost impossible due to the area's limited roads and the threat of insurgent attacks. I'd have to look more into the specific situation to know more but from the general impression of the situation. A base at the bottom of a valley surrounded by hills which are. Defense officials confirm that two senior officers who oversaw the forces at COP Keating have received administrative punishments that could impact their careers. "We're constantly under observation." The outpost was renamed Camp Keating in December 2006 (not in 2009). In response to this, the local Afghan officials sent more government troops into the area. [26] The attack accelerated those plans, with the troops' departure taking place so quickly after the battle that some munitions were abandoned. A new counter-insurgency strategy seemed to offer a way around these problems. 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. So if you see the film when it comes out over the Fourth of July weekend, know that you are not just watching a war movie. Capt. 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. [7]:28,41,908,123, The Nuristan provincial reconstruction team base was strongly recommended by Nuristani Province Governor Tamim Nuristani. 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. Melvin Porter of the Fourth Infantry Division, as Keating has been furiously and repeatedly attacked since it opened in 2006. 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 elder considers this to be a bad omen and demands that there be retribution. Keating landed between two rocks nearly 150 feet down the cliffside, next to the river. It was adapted for the screen by Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy (Patriots Day and The Fighter). He later set up the tactical satellite radio to coordinate air support and medevac. The idea was to stop the insurgents' supply lines coming in from Pakistan. Killed by a single gunshot wound to the face while in the base mortar pit. The 53. 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. ", Yes. [7]:28,41,908,123, The Kamdesh village and most of Nuristan is located in the Hindu Kush. While there are numerous accounts of bravery that day, two Medals of Honor and nine Silver Stars (two have since been upgraded) were awarded. Actor Milo Gibson, the son of Mel Gibson, portrays Capt. Action at the Aid Station Basically, the air support was leaving and coming back. Cordovas care raised the morale of every soldier in the aid station, and word quickly spread across the outpost, the battle narrative stated. 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. Served with United States Army since 2008. 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. The soldiers left so quickly that they didn't take all of the ammunition. You are using an out of date browser. It's true that some of the Taliban fighters casually strolled through the camp, believing they had won. "The investigation concluded that critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets which had been supporting COP Keating had been diverted to assist ongoing intense combat operations in other areas," the report said. There was an element of ABLE Troop 3-71 CAV 2nd Platoon still left on the PZ after the crash that worked relentlessly to recover the bodies of their 10 comrades and destroy sensitive equipment in the wreckage. 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. It was one of many reasons Cordova was later awarded the Silver Star. The military had planned to relocate the outpost in August 2009, but the resources needed for such a move were tied up elsewhere. -CBS Sunday Morning. 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. During the day-long battle at Combat Outpost Keating last Oct. 3, the base was temporarily overrun by an estimated 300 Taliban fighters. 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. [7]:229,256,26380[12], The Battle of Saret Koheh made good on the threats of the "Night Letter". [35] Capt. prosthetic makeup effects technician: Millennium FX. 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. Then tragedy struck again. 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. This page was last edited on 25 January 2023, at 06:49. Between each take, the director and actors paused and turned to Cordova, who offered feedback to make the scene match his memory. The Shapleigh native volunteered to drive an Army truck loaded with supplies along a treacherous 200-foot cliff at night . 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. [23], Once inside, the attackers set fire to the base, burning down most of the barracks. 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. Because the reports had not been verified by other intelligence sources, such as electronic intelligence, the reports were discounted. The first didn't take place at the camp. [20] Observation Post Fritsche was attacked simultaneously, limiting available support from that position. Nicholson and officers of his command believed that much of the flow of weapons and troops from Pakistan could be stopped at Kamdesh. During the highly risky convoy, the road collapsed under the weight of Keating's vehicle. Nearly 20 Air Force and Army aircraft flew close-air support missions throughout the day, helping to kill about 150 insurgents. "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." Mace survived long enough to be evacuated to a nearby medical facility. A year later COP Keating would be the location for the fateful October 2009 Battle of Kamdesh for . 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. Combat. Thomas Rasmussen fought back and was knocked off his feet by a rocket-propelled grenade. 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. 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. They were commanded by Captain Tom Bostick. As soon as they left, the insurgents would come back.. [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. After dispensing with the enemy, QRF continued their descent and entered the outpost at approximately 7:00pm. The Outpost is a 2020 war film directed by Rod Lurie, based on the 2012 non-fiction book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by Jake Tapper, about the Battle of Kamdesh in the war in Afghanistan.It stars Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, Orlando Bloom, Jack Kesy, Cory Hardrict, Milo Gibson, Jacob Scipio, Will Attenborough, and Taylor John Smith. It seemed like the entire COP was burning [70 percent did].. A United States Special Operations forces soldier on the Syria-Turkey border in. [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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Area of Operations. Their checkpoints[11] and "taxes" was used to finance AAF operations. [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. 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. 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. Or invite someone to subscribe through this link. I support this diversion into a discussion of the operational art and command structure as practiced by the New Resistance under Leia Organa. But I never told the story from my own perspective. [9] The Americans "declared the outpost closed and departedso quickly that they did not carry out all of their stored ammunition. [31] 3 soldiers were awarded the Bronze Star Medal, and 18 others the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for valor. Capt. [10], OP Fritsche was established to provide overwatch for COP Keating and was manned by a mix of US and Afghan national forces. A deliberate withdrawal had been planned some time before the battle began, and the closing was part of a wider effort by the top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, to cede remote outposts and consolidate troops in more populated areas to better protect Afghan civilians. 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. Shane Courville; Cordova; George Arvidson as Cordova. Again, it was later noted that many of Porter's decisions were sound. Not an Ordinary Engagement 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. Yllescas' death happened when he was serving with the 6/4 CAV in 2008. I reached out to the films director, Rod Lurie, to vent my concerns. "whatever you think of their ideology, these are fierce and smart fighters. Email us at atwar@nytimes.com. In the movie, he dies almost immediately after landing at the bottom of the cliff. The steep mountains rendered two dimensional maps and landmarks useless. [5][7]:53141 Observation Post ("OP") Fritsche was attacked simultaneously, limiting available support from that position. 8 killed 27 wounded[5] 4 killed 10 wounded. In Afghanistan, MAJ (R) Cordova was involved in the Battle of Kamdesh at Combat Outpost Keating on the 3rd of October 2009. 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. On Oct. 3, while Cordova was in the aid station keeping Mace alive, I was fighting to get back with a company of reinforcements. 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 could not be seen or supported with indirect fire due to the multi-level and complicated terrain. Haji Yunus, a village elder of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and murdered. [8] The Coalition forces withdrew from the base shortly after the battle. The difference there being the writers seemingly supporting her reticence to explain anything. [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. He died when his. [7]:1238,1368,18191,407, Despite recommendations not to drive the large supply vehicle, First Lieutenant Ben Keating took the wheel while returning an armored supply truck to the Naray FOB. Anthony Parker. Written by CNN journalist Jake Tapper, he tells the story of soldiers living in the remote mountains of Afghanistan and Combat Outpost Keating. Relief had been slowed in reaching COP Keating due to a lack of available aircraft and density of terrain. Lardner, Richard, (Associated Press), "Investigation: Afghan Troops Ran, Hid During Deadly Battle", "Latvian, U.S. soldiers reunite after deadly battle", "Eight U.S. 1st Class Jonathan Hill rallied his 3rd Platoon troops in a counterattack, despite his multiple shrapnel wounds. And appearing Holdo's subordinates were well aware of the plain. They did their jobs, and Im here because of what they did, but air support was definitely a must.. 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. The action takes place at Combat Outpost Keating, which was initially built to engage the locals in community development projects. [7]:327328 The nearest attack helicopters were located in Jalalabad, a thirty-minute flight away. [37], Staff Sergeant Ty Carter (then Specialist) was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his courage during the battle. Nine years earlier, Cordova and his medics toiled away in the aid station to treat the wounded and save the dying. (The main aid station was too heavily damaged to remain in operation.). 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. 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. Michael Polidor and Capt. . The entire Outpost Keating was recreated. 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. Each take, the local Afghan officials sent more government troops into the replica station... 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