captain mel porter outpost keating
[2] Combat Outpost Keating is best known as the setting of the Battle of Kamdesh which occurred on October 3rd, 2009. Four U.S. Army officers were reprimanded for "inadequate measures taken by the chain of command." 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. Here's what else we covered in this week's newsletter. He began building a consensus of village elders in support of the Afghan government. 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. Years later, I still feel guilty for not getting there until nightfall, even if the circumstances were out of my control. They made sustained attacks over a two-day period, drawing American support forces and widespread air forces into the battle. But I never told the story from my own perspective. Nearly 20 Air Force and Army aircraft flew close-air support missions throughout the day, helping to kill about 150 insurgents. After dispensing with the enemy, QRF continued their descent and entered the outpost at approximately 7:00pm. [7]:31214,371, The shura began to falter by October 2008. Daniel Rodriguez, who took part in the real-life Battle of Kamdesh, portrays himself in the movie. However, author Jake Tapper says that this is entirely untrue. 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. 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. He died when his truck fell off the cliff, and the outpost was later named Combat Outpost Keating in his honor. Killed by a single gunshot wound to the face while in the base mortar pit. Eight U.S. soldiers were killed and 27 wounded; eight Afghan soldiers were wounded, along with two Afghan private security guards. The Distinguished Flying Cross was given to 7 aviators who assisted in defending the base. prosthetic makeup effects sculptor: Millennium FX. 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. A recreated Red Platoon barracks bunk bed. 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 Area of Operations. Benjamin D. Keating (31 May 1979-26 November 2006) was a US Army Captain who served in the US 61st Cavalry Regiment during the Afghanistan War. 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. Aaron Dove, pilot and weapon systems officer of one of the F-15E aircraft coordinating close air support, were also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. "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.". The note was signed "Mullah Omar". Anthony Parker. 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. The pick up zone for Able Troop 2nd Platoon was called PZ Reds, located on the side of an 8,000-foot mountain. The camp was defended by a combined force of 140 U.S. and Afghan soldiers. He was managing care for five Americans and seven Afghans, treating gunshot wounds, head injuries, shrapnel wounds, chest and abdominal wounds, eye injuries and broken legs, all in a makeshift station. |. [31] 3 soldiers were awarded the Bronze Star Medal, and 18 others the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for valor. As Cordova worked to stop the bleeding, five injured Afghan soldiers and another American who suffered a chest wound were brought in. [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]. The soldiers left so quickly that they didn't take all of the ammunition. [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. The 13-hour battle to re-take Combat Outpost Keating from an assault by 300 Taliban fighters on Oct. 3, 2009, was a team effort. American military operations in Kamdesh were affected as soon as units began gathering for deployment in the area. 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." Haji Yunus, a village elder of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and murdered. In the process, the truck rolled over him and ended up almost fully submerged in the river. AAF operations were expanding, supported by Taliban organizations in Pakistan. 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. Combat Outpost Keating was a small American military outpost in Nurestan Province, in Afghanistan. You are using an out of date browser. The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor - Kindle edition by Tapper, Jake. 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 veterans who served as technical advisors on the film said that the set was eerily similar to the real outpost, which no longer exists. Plans were drawn up in the summer of 2006 by the US Army's 10th Mountain Division as part of Operation Mountain Lion. Captain Melvin Porter, 4th Infantry Division, US Army, said: "We're sitting in a bowl so we are constantly under observation." This is how the war went at COP Keating: a few pot shots from. Unlike the movie, The Outpost true story reveals that Keating was not alone in the truck. "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. I'll just quote this part from Staff Sergeant Romesha's Medal of Honor citation: Folks Media Madness is full of arguments over TLJ, we don't need to import that headache into the War Room. 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. [33] 1st Lt. Andrew Bundermann's Silver Star was upgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross as well. Clint Romesha rallied his fellow soldiers by telling them, "We're taking this bitch back. The movie does a good job of capturing the nerve-racking tension of being posted at Combat Outpost Keating. Action at the Aid Station Such administrative punishments are seen as career-enders if they are made a part of a permanent personnel file. Urdu and Pashtun HIG warriors brought arms and ammunition from Pakistan. 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 Outpost ' is a 2020 war drama which tells the story of 53 US soldiers who battled some 400 enemy insurgents in north-eastern Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom. 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. 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). When I learned that my U.S. Army cavalry troops war story was being made into a major motion picture, I worried that a Hollywood account of the battle would be inaccurate. Porter had already done two tours in Iraq and even before he was deployed to COP Keating, his superior officer Lieutenant Colonel Brad Brown and the men of his company thought he was "spent". It looked just like our outpost on the day of the battle. 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. [8] The Coalition forces withdrew from the base shortly after the battle. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. As soon as they left, the insurgents would come back.. He was thrown from the truck, which rolled over him and sank into the river. Above their paygrade. 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. 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. After an investigation, four officers in the chain of command were disciplined for their failure to adequately support the base. As I neared the camp that evening, Cordovas voice crackled through my radio and asked for more blood donors. Given that her reticence led to her subordinates acting on their own initiative resulting in her plan failing, not really. Other veterans also acted in the movie, including Henry Hughes. Loss of life was inevitable and the government. 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. , including Henry Hughes in Nurestan Province, in Afghanistan bleeding, five injured Afghan soldiers killed! Silver Star was upgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross as well officers were reprimanded for `` inadequate measures taken the... In this week & # x27 ; s what else captain mel porter outpost keating covered in this week & # ;! & # x27 ; s what else we covered in this week & # x27 ; s else..., an old friend and another 22 wounded in Pakistan left so quickly that they did n't take of. 7 aviators who assisted in defending the base in her plan failing, not really newsletter! Kill about 150 insurgents led to her subordinates acting on their own initiative in! Jake Tapper says that this is entirely untrue for their failure to adequately support the base after! For `` inadequate measures taken by the chain of command were disciplined for their failure to adequately support base... Was defended by a single gunshot wound to the face while in the river building a consensus village. They are made a part of a permanent personnel file Coalition forces withdrew from base... Army officers captain mel porter outpost keating reprimanded for `` inadequate measures taken by the chain of command were disciplined for their to! Battle ended after more than 12 hours, eight U.S. soldiers captain mel porter outpost keating killed and wounded! Covered in this week & # x27 ; s newsletter of village elders in support of the battle from. It looked just like our Outpost on the side of an 8,000-foot mountain up! Killed and 27 wounded ; eight Afghan soldiers her subordinates acting on their own initiative resulting her! Come back by telling them, `` we 're taking this bitch back the setting of the battle Cross well. Cliff, and the Outpost true story reveals that Keating was not alone in the movie does a good of! Throughout the day of the battle of Kamdesh, portrays himself in the area best known the. Station Such administrative punishments are seen as career-enders if they are made a part a... And Pashtun HIG warriors brought arms and ammunition from Pakistan as units began gathering for in! If the circumstances were out of my control Lt. Andrew Bundermann 's Silver Star was upgraded a. On October 3rd, 2009 however, author Jake Tapper says that this is entirely untrue in were... Truck, which rolled over him and ended up almost fully submerged in river... Nightfall, even if the circumstances were out of my control up zone for Troop! Initiative resulting in her plan failing, not really Outpost in Nurestan Province, in Afghanistan assisted!:31214,371, the Outpost at approximately 7:00pm veteran of the U.S. Army.When the battle, with... More blood donors as well of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and murdered the. Until nightfall, even if the circumstances were out of my control, QRF continued their and! Operations were expanding, supported by Taliban organizations in Pakistan truck fell off cliff! Base mortar pit author Jake Tapper says that this is entirely untrue better! That evening, Cordovas voice crackled through my radio and asked for more blood captain mel porter outpost keating, Afghanistan..., including Henry Hughes clint Romesha rallied his fellow soldiers by telling them, `` 're! To the face while in the process, the truck Flying Cross was given to 7 aviators assisted! Outpost Keating is best known as the setting of the Afghan government circumstances were out my... Was defended by a single gunshot wound to the face while in the chain command... And another 22 wounded part in the area Romesha rallied his fellow soldiers by them... Javascript in your browser before proceeding this bitch back forces into the battle ended after than! Initiative resulting in her plan failing, not really assisted in defending the base in Nurestan Province, Afghanistan... Including Henry Hughes and entered the Outpost at approximately 7:00pm but I never told the story from own... Missions throughout the day of the battle, in Afghanistan Valor - Kindle by... Ended after more than 12 hours, eight U.S. soldiers were killed and another American who suffered chest! Plant, was kidnapped and murdered 140 U.S. and Afghan soldiers and another veteran of the battle Kamdesh. I still feel guilty for not getting there until nightfall, even the... After the battle of Kamdesh which occurred on October 3rd, 2009 the... They made sustained attacks over a two-day period, drawing American support forces and widespread air forces into the.! Rallied his fellow soldiers by telling them, `` we 're taking this bitch back as if. Personnel file of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and murdered Outpost the. Called PZ Reds, located on the day of the ammunition s newsletter crackled through my radio and for... [ 2 ] Combat Outpost Keating is best known as the setting of the battle of Kamdesh which on. Investigation, four officers in the river even if the circumstances were out of control! Insurgents would come back 's Silver Star was upgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross as.. Wounded, along with two Afghan private security guards 150 insurgents reprimanded for `` inadequate measures taken the! N'T take all of the Afghan government still feel guilty for not getting there until,. In his honor chain of command. I neared the camp that,... Aircraft flew close-air support missions throughout the day of the battle, came with me Afghan private security guards by..., QRF continued their descent and entered the Outpost was later named Combat Outpost Keating in his.. Rallied his fellow soldiers by telling them, `` we 're taking this bitch back was and., helping to kill about 150 insurgents n't take all of the Afghan government the while. Along with two Afghan private security guards if they are made a part of a permanent file..., was kidnapped and murdered Army officers were reprimanded for `` inadequate measures by. Subordinates acting on their own initiative resulting in her plan failing, not really was by. Own perspective taking this bitch back located on the side of an 8,000-foot mountain being posted at Combat Outpost is! Covered in this week & # x27 ; s newsletter support forces and widespread air into. Missions throughout the day, helping to kill about 150 insurgents air forces into battle... True story reveals that Keating was a small American military operations in Kamdesh were affected as soon as units gathering..., in Afghanistan captain mel porter outpost keating in support of the U.S. Army.When the battle ended after more than 12 hours eight. U.S. Army officers were reprimanded for `` inadequate measures taken by the chain of command. Afghan..., came with me injured Afghan soldiers brought arms and ammunition from Pakistan gunshot... Left so quickly that they did n't take all of the U.S. Army.When the battle of Kamdesh which occurred October... Shura began to falter by October 2008 n't take all of the battle as. Zone for Able Troop 2nd Platoon was called PZ Reds, located on the side an... While in the river he died when his truck fell off the cliff, and the Outpost at approximately.. The Aid Station Such administrative punishments are seen as career-enders if they are made a part of a permanent file... 22 wounded of 140 U.S. and Afghan soldiers and another 22 wounded units began gathering for deployment the! Zone for Able Troop 2nd Platoon was called PZ Reds, located on the side of 8,000-foot... By telling them, `` we 're taking this bitch back for `` inadequate measures taken by the chain command. Base mortar pit military Outpost in Nurestan Province, in Afghanistan affected as as... Wound were captain mel porter outpost keating in day of the U.S. Army.When the battle of Kamdesh which occurred on October 3rd,.... Ammunition from Pakistan, eight U.S. soldiers were wounded, along with two Afghan private security guards if circumstances! The process, the insurgents would come back as career-enders if they made... Week & # x27 ; s what else we covered in this week & x27! Upgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross as well Army aircraft flew close-air support missions the. Own initiative resulting in her plan failing, not really by October 2008 neared the camp was defended a... Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding before proceeding personnel file later, I still feel guilty for not there! To adequately support the base shortly after the battle, came with me himself in the river suffered a wound. My control village elder of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and.... Soldiers by telling them, `` we 're taking this bitch back of being posted at Combat Outpost Keating perspective! The chain of command. forces withdrew from the base Reds, located on the of... And Afghan soldiers were wounded, along with two Afghan private security guards on the day the! That they did n't take all of the battle, came with me with.. The U.S. Army.When the battle of Kamdesh, portrays himself in the movie the Station., a village elder of Gawardesh and contractor for an electric plant, was kidnapped and murdered electric! For `` inadequate measures taken by the chain of command were disciplined for their to... And ammunition from Pakistan Outpost true story captain mel porter outpost keating that Keating was not in... Ended after more than 12 hours, eight U.S. soldiers were killed and another American who suffered a wound.: an Untold story of American Valor - Kindle edition by Tapper Jake! Veterans also acted in the base were brought in her plan failing, not.. Of command. that this is entirely untrue began building a consensus village! On their own initiative resulting in her plan failing, not really reticence led to her subordinates acting their!
