1 00:00:02,746 --> 00:00:04,881 [NARRATOR]: PREVIOUSLY ON COMBAT SCHOOL... 2 00:00:04,915 --> 00:00:06,883 MIKE COMPANY RALLIES 3 00:00:06,917 --> 00:00:11,054 FOR ITS LAST TRAINING BATTLE BEFORE AFGHANISTAN. 4 00:00:11,088 --> 00:00:12,489 MORTARS IN THE AIR! 5 00:00:12,523 --> 00:00:16,427 A FINAL HEAD-TO-HEAD SHOWDOWN WITH THE MOCK TALIBAN. 6 00:00:20,097 --> 00:00:21,665 [NARRATOR]: ONE LAST CHANCE 7 00:00:21,698 --> 00:00:25,001 FOR SOLDIERS TO LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES. 8 00:00:25,035 --> 00:00:25,969 I [BEEP] UP. 9 00:00:26,002 --> 00:00:27,671 I KILLED TWO OF MY GUYS. 10 00:00:27,704 --> 00:00:28,805 [NARRATOR]: NINE MONTHS 11 00:00:28,839 --> 00:00:30,507 OF THE WORLD'S MOST HIGH-TECH 12 00:00:30,541 --> 00:00:33,810 COUNTER-INSURGENCY TRAINING ARE OVER. 13 00:00:33,844 --> 00:00:36,180 ATTENTION! 14 00:00:36,213 --> 00:00:37,013 [STOMPING] 15 00:00:37,047 --> 00:00:38,682 YOU WILL WIN 16 00:00:38,715 --> 00:00:40,117 EVERY TIME. 17 00:00:40,151 --> 00:00:41,485 [NARRATOR]: THEY SHIP OUT. 18 00:00:41,518 --> 00:00:44,588 ABOUT AS READY AS THEY'RE GONNA BE THERE RIGHT NOW. 19 00:00:44,621 --> 00:00:45,722 I'M READY TO GO. 20 00:00:45,756 --> 00:00:47,090 [***] 21 00:00:47,124 --> 00:00:50,727 [NARRATOR]: READY TO TAKE THE BIGGEST STEP OF ALL... 22 00:00:50,761 --> 00:00:52,263 FROM COMBAT ROOKIE 23 00:00:52,296 --> 00:00:54,831 TO FULL-FLEDGED WARRIOR. 24 00:00:54,865 --> 00:00:56,133 [BLASTING] 25 00:00:56,167 --> 00:00:57,268 [DETONATING] 26 00:00:57,301 --> 00:00:59,836 [***] 27 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:19,290 [***] 28 00:01:19,323 --> 00:01:21,124 [NARRATOR]: IN A WAR ZONE... 29 00:01:21,158 --> 00:01:23,627 [***] 30 00:01:23,660 --> 00:01:26,797 ...THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS "NORMAL." 31 00:01:26,830 --> 00:01:28,632 [***] 32 00:01:32,169 --> 00:01:34,638 EVERY VILLAGE... 33 00:01:34,671 --> 00:01:37,241 [***] 34 00:01:37,274 --> 00:01:39,843 EVERY ROAD... 35 00:01:39,876 --> 00:01:41,612 [***] 36 00:01:41,645 --> 00:01:43,214 EVERYWHERE... 37 00:01:43,247 --> 00:01:46,417 IS A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. 38 00:01:46,450 --> 00:01:47,751 IT'S HERE 39 00:01:47,784 --> 00:01:49,520 THAT CAPTAIN JON COX 40 00:01:49,553 --> 00:01:52,256 AND THE SOLDIERS OF 1-PLATOON, MIKE COMPANY 41 00:01:52,289 --> 00:01:55,926 WILL LIVE AND FIGHT FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. 42 00:01:55,959 --> 00:01:58,395 [***] 43 00:01:58,429 --> 00:02:01,031 [CPL. CHICK]: IT'S OUR FIRST DRIVE INTO KANDAHAR CITY... 44 00:02:01,064 --> 00:02:03,400 HOW'S EVERYBODY FEEL? 45 00:02:03,434 --> 00:02:05,669 PRETTY SWEET! 46 00:02:05,702 --> 00:02:09,240 [NARRATOR]: THEY'VE TRAINED HARD FOR THIS. 47 00:02:09,273 --> 00:02:10,307 [GIGGLING] 48 00:02:10,341 --> 00:02:12,075 THEY THINK THEY'RE PREPARED... 49 00:02:12,108 --> 00:02:14,445 I WANT TO GET UP AND SEE! 50 00:02:14,478 --> 00:02:16,613 LET ME OUT! 51 00:02:16,647 --> 00:02:18,382 [NARRATOR]: ...BUT THIS PLACE WILL TEST THEM 52 00:02:18,415 --> 00:02:20,417 IN WAYS THEIR TRAINING COULD NOT. 53 00:02:20,451 --> 00:02:22,553 THEIR MISSION-- 54 00:02:22,586 --> 00:02:27,224 PUSH TALIBAN INSURGENTS OUT OF THIS VOLATILE REGION. 55 00:02:27,258 --> 00:02:31,562 IN THE MONTH BEFORE 1-PLATOON LEFT FOR AFGHANISTAN, 56 00:02:31,595 --> 00:02:37,167 SEVEN CANADIAN SOLDIERS DIED DOING THIS JOB. 57 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,236 [***] 58 00:02:45,242 --> 00:02:49,112 THEY'VE LEFT THE SECURITY OF KANDAHAR AIRFIELD. 59 00:02:49,145 --> 00:02:50,981 THEY'RE ARRIVING AT A PATROL BASE 60 00:02:51,014 --> 00:02:53,784 40 KILOMETRES SOUTHWEST OF KANDAHAR... 61 00:02:53,817 --> 00:02:57,888 WHERE THE ENEMY IS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE WIRE. 62 00:02:57,921 --> 00:02:59,356 YEAH. WE'RE EAGER. 63 00:02:59,390 --> 00:03:01,525 VERY EAGER. 64 00:03:01,558 --> 00:03:03,827 [***] 65 00:03:03,860 --> 00:03:05,496 IT'S NOT FUN AND GAMES ANYMORE. 66 00:03:05,529 --> 00:03:07,298 IT'S THE REAL THING. 67 00:03:07,331 --> 00:03:10,166 [NARRATOR]: THE PLATOON'S 25-YEAR-OLD COMMANDER 68 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:11,735 MAY BE A COMBAT ROOKIE, 69 00:03:11,768 --> 00:03:14,771 BUT HE KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE IN FOR. 70 00:03:14,805 --> 00:03:16,172 300 METRES OUTSIDE THAT WIRE 71 00:03:16,206 --> 00:03:17,808 FROM WHERE WE'RE STANDING RIGHT NOW, 72 00:03:17,841 --> 00:03:19,710 THERE'S GUYS THAT WANT TO KILL US, 73 00:03:19,743 --> 00:03:21,712 AND WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND FIGHT THEM, 74 00:03:21,745 --> 00:03:25,882 AND THAT'S... THAT'S THE REALITY THAT WE NOW LIVE IN. 75 00:03:25,916 --> 00:03:27,284 [***] 76 00:03:27,318 --> 00:03:29,820 [NARRATOR]: MIKE COMPANY'S OFFICER COMMANDING, 77 00:03:29,853 --> 00:03:31,655 MAJOR CAYLE OBERWARTH, 78 00:03:31,688 --> 00:03:33,290 REMINDS THEM-- 79 00:03:33,324 --> 00:03:35,659 THEY'RE NOW IN THE ENEMY'S SIGHTS... 80 00:03:35,692 --> 00:03:37,260 24-7. 81 00:03:37,294 --> 00:03:39,563 IT'S THE HORRIBLE TRUTH ON THE GROUND. 82 00:03:39,596 --> 00:03:41,765 AS SOON AS YOU LEAVE THE WIRE, PEOPLE ARE WATCHING YOU. 83 00:03:41,798 --> 00:03:43,133 THEY'RE SENDING PHONE MESSAGES, 84 00:03:43,166 --> 00:03:44,167 TEXT MESSAGES. 85 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:46,102 WE'LL NEVER SURPRISE THEM. 86 00:03:46,136 --> 00:03:47,438 THESE PEOPLE-- 87 00:03:47,471 --> 00:03:49,172 THE "INSURGENTS", WE'LL CALL THEM-- 88 00:03:49,205 --> 00:03:50,707 THEY LIVE HERE. 89 00:03:50,741 --> 00:03:51,975 THEY AREN'T TRANSIENTS. 90 00:03:52,008 --> 00:03:54,778 THEY'RE AFGHANS WHO DON'T WANT US HERE. 91 00:03:54,811 --> 00:03:57,481 [ALL]: HOO-AH. 92 00:03:57,514 --> 00:04:00,150 ALL HELL'S GOING TO BREAK LOOSE. 93 00:04:00,183 --> 00:04:02,386 THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE TRYING TO KILL YOU. 94 00:04:02,419 --> 00:04:03,487 UNLIKE TRAINING-- 95 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:05,021 WHEN YOU'RE, YOU KNOW... 96 00:04:05,055 --> 00:04:09,225 YOU'RE A SIMULATED CASUALTY OR SIMULATED DEAD, 97 00:04:09,259 --> 00:04:10,361 YOU REALLY ARE WOUNDED HERE, 98 00:04:10,394 --> 00:04:11,662 OR YOU REALLY ARE DEAD. 99 00:04:11,695 --> 00:04:14,831 [NARRATOR]: THE ENEMY WILL MAKE ITS POINT 100 00:04:14,865 --> 00:04:18,569 BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER. 101 00:04:18,602 --> 00:04:20,504 [***] 102 00:04:23,039 --> 00:04:24,107 [EXPLOSION ROARS] 103 00:04:24,140 --> 00:04:25,576 [SCRAMBLING AND SHOUTING] 104 00:04:26,677 --> 00:04:28,545 THE BASE IS UNDER ATTACK. 105 00:04:30,614 --> 00:04:32,048 [EXPLOSION ROARING] 106 00:04:32,082 --> 00:04:34,351 [***] 107 00:04:46,096 --> 00:04:48,465 [NARRATOR]: OBERWARTH AND SOME OF HIS MEN 108 00:04:48,499 --> 00:04:51,402 HOLE UP IN THE BASE COMMAND POST. 109 00:04:51,435 --> 00:04:53,404 [***] 110 00:04:53,437 --> 00:04:54,705 UP ON THE HILL, 111 00:04:54,738 --> 00:04:56,940 IN THE BASE OBSERVATION POST, 112 00:04:56,973 --> 00:04:59,175 THEY SPOT SOMETHING. 113 00:04:59,209 --> 00:05:01,044 IT MIGHT BE THE ATTACKERS. 114 00:05:13,657 --> 00:05:15,492 [NARRATOR]: BEFORE FIRING BACK, 115 00:05:15,526 --> 00:05:17,594 MIKE COMPANY NEEDS TO CONFIRM 116 00:05:17,628 --> 00:05:21,965 THAT THESE MEN ARE BEHIND THE ROCKET STRIKES. 117 00:05:29,272 --> 00:05:31,374 [NARRATOR]: THE NEXT REPORT 118 00:05:31,408 --> 00:05:35,278 IS NOT THE INTEL OBERWARTH IS HOPING FOR. 119 00:05:36,346 --> 00:05:38,314 OKAY, SO I NEED A GENERAL CARDINAL DIRECTION 120 00:05:38,348 --> 00:05:41,017 FROM WHERE YOU LOST SIGHT OF 'EM. 121 00:05:41,051 --> 00:05:44,721 [NARRATOR]: THE SUSPECTS HAVE SLIPPED AWAY. 122 00:05:44,755 --> 00:05:47,323 [***] 123 00:05:47,357 --> 00:05:49,793 THEY'VE FIRED AND... AND SCURRIED AWAY. 124 00:05:49,826 --> 00:05:52,896 THEY'RE TRYING NOT TO GET HURT THEMSELVES, 125 00:05:52,929 --> 00:05:54,064 SO WE'RE GOING TO STAND DOWN NOW. 126 00:05:54,097 --> 00:05:55,632 WE'LL GET THEM NEXT TIME. 127 00:05:55,666 --> 00:05:56,933 [NARRATOR]: THEN... 128 00:05:56,967 --> 00:06:00,336 A SIGN THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE OVER AFTER ALL. 129 00:06:13,249 --> 00:06:15,251 THEY'VE GOT 1,500 METRES. 130 00:06:15,285 --> 00:06:17,488 [NARRATOR]: 1,500 METRES FROM THE BASE, 131 00:06:17,521 --> 00:06:21,892 SOMEONE APPEARS TO BE DIGGING BY THE ROAD. 132 00:06:21,925 --> 00:06:23,960 OBERWARTH'S HUNCH? 133 00:06:23,994 --> 00:06:28,364 IT'S AN INSURGENT PLANTING A ROADSIDE BOMB. 134 00:06:28,398 --> 00:06:30,601 [RADIO CHATTER CONTINUES] 135 00:06:39,275 --> 00:06:40,777 [NARRATOR]: IN TRAINING, 136 00:06:40,811 --> 00:06:44,114 OBERWARTH WAS THE MASTER OF DIVERSIONARY TACTICS, 137 00:06:44,147 --> 00:06:46,550 DESIGNED TO FOOL THE ENEMY... 138 00:06:46,583 --> 00:06:48,351 [REPLACES RECEIVER] 139 00:06:48,384 --> 00:06:52,556 ...NOW THE INSURGENTS MAY BE TURNING THE TABLES. 140 00:06:52,589 --> 00:06:53,857 IN A FEW HOURS, 141 00:06:53,890 --> 00:06:58,161 OBERWARTH WILL FIND OUT IF HIS HUNCH IS RIGHT... 142 00:06:58,194 --> 00:07:02,465 AND 1-PLATOON WILL HEAD OUTSIDE THE BASE 143 00:07:02,499 --> 00:07:03,867 AND FIND OUT 144 00:07:03,900 --> 00:07:05,135 THE ENEMY IS READY... 145 00:07:05,168 --> 00:07:07,470 AND WAITING FOR THEM. 146 00:07:07,504 --> 00:07:09,272 HEADS UP! IT'S COMING DOWN! 147 00:07:09,305 --> 00:07:12,576 [***] 148 00:07:17,180 --> 00:07:21,384 [NARRATOR]: AFTER A NIGHT SHATTERED BY A MORTAR ATTACK... 149 00:07:21,417 --> 00:07:23,253 MORNING BRINGS NEWS. 150 00:07:23,286 --> 00:07:24,788 [***] 151 00:07:24,821 --> 00:07:26,990 MIKE COMPANY'S OFFICER COMMANDING, 152 00:07:27,023 --> 00:07:29,560 CAYLE OBERWARTH, WAS RIGHT. 153 00:07:29,593 --> 00:07:32,328 THE MORTAR HIT WAS JUST A DIVERSION 154 00:07:32,362 --> 00:07:36,366 SO INSURGENTS COULD PLANT A ROADSIDE BOMB. 155 00:07:37,601 --> 00:07:39,069 [LAUGHTER] 156 00:07:39,102 --> 00:07:40,470 ALL RIGHT? 157 00:07:41,605 --> 00:07:45,441 [NARRATOR]: THEIR ALLIES, THE AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY, 158 00:07:45,475 --> 00:07:50,681 MADE THE DISCOVERY DURING AN EARLY MORNING PATROL. 159 00:07:50,714 --> 00:07:53,516 MORE PROOF FOR CAPTAIN COX 160 00:07:53,550 --> 00:07:56,019 THAT THE ENEMY IS LAYING TRAPS 161 00:07:56,052 --> 00:08:00,356 RIGHT WHERE HE AND HIS PLATOON WILL SOON BE HEADED. 162 00:08:00,390 --> 00:08:04,961 THE SOLDIERS WILL HEAD INTO THE DANGER ZONE ALONE... 163 00:08:04,995 --> 00:08:06,296 AND ON FOOT. 164 00:08:06,329 --> 00:08:09,265 I WANT THEM TO GET THEIR FEET ON THE GROUND, 165 00:08:09,299 --> 00:08:11,501 GET USED TO THE AREA, GET INTO A FIGHT, 166 00:08:11,534 --> 00:08:12,569 SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. 167 00:08:12,603 --> 00:08:15,038 [MEN CHATTING CASUALLY] 168 00:08:15,071 --> 00:08:17,107 YUP... A LITTLE, UH, BATTLE PREP. 169 00:08:17,140 --> 00:08:19,710 THE FURTHER OUT YOU GET... 170 00:08:19,743 --> 00:08:21,377 THE MORE CHANCES YOU HAVE 171 00:08:21,411 --> 00:08:24,080 OF GETTING CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY. 172 00:08:24,114 --> 00:08:26,983 NOTHING'S EVER SECURE. 173 00:08:27,017 --> 00:08:29,219 [***] 174 00:08:29,252 --> 00:08:30,854 OKAY. SITUATION-- ENEMY. 175 00:08:30,887 --> 00:08:33,323 OKAY, THERE'S NO CHANGE FROM THE ENEMY SITUATION. 176 00:08:33,356 --> 00:08:35,425 THE LOCALS HAVE INDICATED TO US 177 00:08:35,458 --> 00:08:37,060 THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THE TALIBAN. 178 00:08:37,093 --> 00:08:40,096 I DON'T NECESSARILY BELIEVE THEM AT THIS POINT, 179 00:08:40,130 --> 00:08:41,998 UM, BUT WE ALL KNOW 180 00:08:42,032 --> 00:08:44,467 THAT THEY ARE OPERATING WITHIN THIS AREA. 181 00:08:44,500 --> 00:08:46,369 IT'S NOT A SECRET TO ANY OF US. 182 00:08:46,402 --> 00:08:49,305 [***] 183 00:08:50,373 --> 00:08:52,142 OKAY, LET'S GO, GUYS! 184 00:08:52,175 --> 00:08:53,677 LET'S START GETTING MARSHALLED HERE! 185 00:08:53,710 --> 00:08:57,648 [NARRATOR]: THIS FOOT PATROL IS A FORAY INTO REAL DANGER... 186 00:08:57,681 --> 00:08:59,950 OUTSIDE THE WIRE, 187 00:08:59,983 --> 00:09:03,419 BEYOND THE RELATIVE SECURITY OF THE BASE. 188 00:09:03,453 --> 00:09:04,821 THE MISSION-- 189 00:09:04,855 --> 00:09:06,089 TALK TO THE VILLAGERS 190 00:09:06,122 --> 00:09:08,792 AND SUSS OUT WHERE THE BAD GUYS ARE HIDING. 191 00:09:08,825 --> 00:09:10,593 THIS IS IT. 192 00:09:10,627 --> 00:09:11,795 GAME ON. 193 00:09:11,828 --> 00:09:13,429 ARE YOU SCARED? 194 00:09:13,463 --> 00:09:14,765 UM... ALWAYS A LITTLE ANXIOUS. 195 00:09:14,798 --> 00:09:16,733 YEAH, I MEAN, THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME 196 00:09:16,767 --> 00:09:20,103 ACTUALLY GETTING OUT ON A FOOT PATROL. 197 00:09:20,136 --> 00:09:21,237 I'M ANXIOUS. 198 00:09:21,271 --> 00:09:22,272 YEAH? 199 00:09:22,305 --> 00:09:24,174 YEAH. 200 00:09:25,842 --> 00:09:28,144 THIS'LL BE THE ROUGHEST FOUR HOURS OF MY LIFE. 201 00:09:28,178 --> 00:09:30,413 [NARRATOR]: FROM HERE ON, 202 00:09:30,446 --> 00:09:32,415 THE PLATOON'S SECOND-IN-COMMAND, 203 00:09:32,448 --> 00:09:34,384 WARRANT OFFICER BRUCE RHODENIZER, 204 00:09:34,417 --> 00:09:36,219 WILL STEP BACK A BIT. 205 00:09:36,252 --> 00:09:37,721 MY JOB IS TO GET THE TROOPS HERE. 206 00:09:37,754 --> 00:09:39,723 NOW THEY'RE HERE, I REALLY DON'T HAVE A JOB. 207 00:09:39,756 --> 00:09:41,057 I LIKE IT. 208 00:09:41,091 --> 00:09:43,927 [NARRATOR]: NOW, RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SUCCESS 209 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:45,696 AND SURVIVAL 210 00:09:45,729 --> 00:09:47,931 IS IN THE HANDS OF CAPTAIN COX. 211 00:09:47,964 --> 00:09:50,934 [***] 212 00:09:56,773 --> 00:09:59,676 THE PLATOON TAKES ITS FIRST STEPS 213 00:09:59,710 --> 00:10:02,445 INTO TALIBAN TERRITORY. 214 00:10:02,478 --> 00:10:05,015 [***] 215 00:10:06,883 --> 00:10:08,852 FOR THE NEXT SIX KILOMETRES, 216 00:10:08,885 --> 00:10:13,857 THEIR TRAINING WILL BE THEIR ONLY PROTECTION. 217 00:10:13,890 --> 00:10:16,592 [***] 218 00:10:28,504 --> 00:10:31,041 IT'S 40 DEGREES, 219 00:10:31,074 --> 00:10:33,343 AND THEY'RE LOADED DOWN 220 00:10:33,376 --> 00:10:35,779 WITH NEARLY HALF THEIR WEIGHT IN GEAR. 221 00:10:35,812 --> 00:10:38,081 [***] 222 00:10:40,250 --> 00:10:41,584 IT IS EVEN WORSE 223 00:10:41,617 --> 00:10:44,054 THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE, ACTUALLY. YOU KNOW? 224 00:10:44,087 --> 00:10:46,122 WHEN YOU'RE WEARING THIS MUCH KIT, 225 00:10:46,156 --> 00:10:47,290 JUST THE SMALLEST MOVEMENTS 226 00:10:47,323 --> 00:10:49,059 ARE THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT, RIGHT? 227 00:10:49,092 --> 00:10:50,626 WALKING THROUGH SAND... 228 00:10:50,660 --> 00:10:54,798 AND A SMALL HILL FEELS LIKE A BIG HILL, AND... 229 00:10:54,831 --> 00:10:56,299 HOW COME PEOPLE IN MOVIES 230 00:10:56,332 --> 00:10:59,069 ALWAYS MAKE THIS SHIT LOOK SO EASY? 231 00:10:59,102 --> 00:11:02,138 [***] 232 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:05,909 HOW YOU DOIN'? 233 00:11:05,942 --> 00:11:07,343 GOOD. 234 00:11:09,112 --> 00:11:11,281 [NARRATOR]: AGAIN AND AGAIN, 235 00:11:11,314 --> 00:11:13,283 CHILDREN EMERGE... 236 00:11:13,316 --> 00:11:15,685 FOLLOW 1-PLATOON... 237 00:11:15,718 --> 00:11:17,487 THEN STOP. 238 00:11:17,520 --> 00:11:20,090 [***] 239 00:11:20,123 --> 00:11:23,159 MAYBE IT'S JUST CURIOSITY... 240 00:11:23,193 --> 00:11:25,728 BUT CHILDREN ARE SOMETIMES USED AS SPIES 241 00:11:25,762 --> 00:11:27,163 BY INSURGENTS. 242 00:11:27,197 --> 00:11:29,866 [***] 243 00:11:29,900 --> 00:11:33,403 THE SOLDIERS ARE ON EDGE. 244 00:11:33,436 --> 00:11:35,105 [***] 245 00:11:36,873 --> 00:11:39,575 THEY PUSH FORWARD. 246 00:11:39,609 --> 00:11:42,879 [***] 247 00:11:52,322 --> 00:11:54,690 HEADS UP! IT'S COMING DOWN! 248 00:11:54,724 --> 00:11:55,892 OKAY, STAY RIGHT HERE! 249 00:11:55,926 --> 00:11:57,727 COWS! 250 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:00,463 [STAMPEDING] 251 00:12:02,265 --> 00:12:03,633 [LAUGHTER] 252 00:12:03,666 --> 00:12:07,971 APPARENTLY, THE COWS JUST KIND OF STAMPEDED US THERE. 253 00:12:08,004 --> 00:12:09,940 [CHUCKLES] 254 00:12:09,973 --> 00:12:12,708 [***] 255 00:12:14,878 --> 00:12:17,981 [NARRATOR]: 1-PLATOON ENTERS THE VILLAGE. 256 00:12:18,014 --> 00:12:20,650 [DOG YAPPING IN DISTANCE] 257 00:12:20,683 --> 00:12:23,053 [DOOR RATTLES] 258 00:12:23,086 --> 00:12:24,988 ADULT MEN APPEAR. 259 00:12:25,021 --> 00:12:26,256 GET THIS GUY. 260 00:12:26,289 --> 00:12:27,858 [GRAVEL CRUNCHING] 261 00:12:27,891 --> 00:12:31,727 CAPTAIN COX NOTICES SOME OF THEM SIGNALING. 262 00:12:31,761 --> 00:12:34,297 [***] 263 00:12:41,437 --> 00:12:46,776 COX ASKS A LOCAL FARMER ABOUT TALIBAN ACTIVITY. 264 00:12:46,809 --> 00:12:48,444 SO THE TALIBAN COME THROUGH HERE 265 00:12:48,478 --> 00:12:50,380 AND PLANT BOMBS IN THE ROAD, RIGHT? 266 00:12:50,413 --> 00:12:53,316 [SPEAKING DARI] 267 00:13:00,390 --> 00:13:01,391 OKAY. 268 00:13:01,424 --> 00:13:02,692 [NARRATOR]: COX LEARNS 269 00:13:02,725 --> 00:13:05,461 THAT THE TALIBAN FREQUENTLY VISIT THIS VILLAGE. 270 00:13:05,495 --> 00:13:08,464 [CAR HORN HONKS TWICE THEN BLARES INTERMITTENTLY] 271 00:13:08,498 --> 00:13:09,799 OKAY, SIR-- 272 00:13:09,832 --> 00:13:11,667 [NARRATOR]: THAT CAR HORN 273 00:13:11,701 --> 00:13:15,305 PUTS EVERY SOLDIER ON HIGH ALERT. 274 00:13:15,338 --> 00:13:17,840 INSURGENTS HAVE USED THEM IN THE PAST 275 00:13:17,874 --> 00:13:19,109 TO SIGNAL AN ATTACK. 276 00:13:21,144 --> 00:13:23,880 [NARRATOR]: MASTER CORPORAL CHAD PORTER 277 00:13:23,914 --> 00:13:27,083 SPOTS A GROUP OF MEN ON THE MOVE. 278 00:13:29,752 --> 00:13:32,855 UH, WE'VE JUST HEARD SOME CAR HORNS HONKING... 279 00:13:32,889 --> 00:13:35,291 AND WE SEE MOVEMENT OF FOUR FIGHTING-AGE MALES 280 00:13:35,325 --> 00:13:37,293 TO OUR NORTHEAST, OVER. 281 00:13:46,836 --> 00:13:48,271 [COX]: OKAY. 282 00:13:48,304 --> 00:13:50,873 [NARRATOR]: COX CHANGES HIS ROUTE, 283 00:13:50,907 --> 00:13:54,310 ORDERING A MACHINE-GUNNER TO COVER THEM. 284 00:13:58,148 --> 00:14:00,416 [NARRATOR]: BUT AS THEY MOVE OUT, 285 00:14:00,450 --> 00:14:02,585 COX RECEIVES INTELLIGENCE-- 286 00:14:02,618 --> 00:14:04,620 HIS NEW PATH HOME 287 00:14:04,654 --> 00:14:08,558 IS LEADING THEM DIRECTLY INTO A TALIBAN AMBUSH. 288 00:14:21,371 --> 00:14:23,073 [NARRATOR]: THE PLATOON IS FAMILIAR 289 00:14:23,106 --> 00:14:25,675 WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN AMBUSH. 290 00:14:25,708 --> 00:14:29,479 THEY TRAINED FOR IT BACK IN FORT BLISS. 291 00:14:29,512 --> 00:14:30,413 [CLICKING] 292 00:14:30,446 --> 00:14:31,347 [FIRES SHOTS] 293 00:14:42,125 --> 00:14:44,660 [***] 294 00:14:45,695 --> 00:14:46,997 WE'RE GOOD, SIR? 295 00:14:47,030 --> 00:14:49,632 [NARRATOR]: COX DECIDES TO RE-ROUTE HIS SOLDIERS AGAIN 296 00:14:49,665 --> 00:14:52,068 TO AVOID THE ATTACK... 297 00:14:52,102 --> 00:14:53,503 OKAY, CHICK. 298 00:14:53,536 --> 00:14:57,707 ...BUT AROUND HERE, NO PATH IS SAFE. 299 00:14:57,740 --> 00:15:00,910 THEY HAVE TO KEEP THEIR GUARD UP. 300 00:15:00,943 --> 00:15:03,646 [***] 301 00:15:09,152 --> 00:15:12,088 AS THEY CLOSE IN ON HOME BASE, 302 00:15:12,122 --> 00:15:15,791 IT GETS HARDER AND HARDER TO STAY FOCUSED. 303 00:15:15,825 --> 00:15:18,128 THE HEAT AND THE ADRENALINE RUSH 304 00:15:18,161 --> 00:15:21,397 HAVE COMPLETELY DRAINED THEM. 305 00:15:21,431 --> 00:15:25,401 TIRED... REAL TIRED. 306 00:15:25,435 --> 00:15:27,570 TROOP'S A LITTLE TIRED... 307 00:15:27,603 --> 00:15:30,273 LIKE, SOME THINGS DON'T CHANGE. 308 00:15:36,779 --> 00:15:40,816 [NARRATOR]: NOW, TOO EXHAUSTED TO STAND... 309 00:15:42,485 --> 00:15:45,688 ...OR EVEN SPEAK... 310 00:15:45,721 --> 00:15:49,492 THEY'D BETTER HOPE THEY GET THEIR ENERGY BACK. 311 00:15:49,525 --> 00:15:51,861 THEY OUTWITTED THE ENEMY TODAY. 312 00:15:51,894 --> 00:15:55,198 NEXT TIME, THEY WON'T BE AS LUCKY. 313 00:15:55,231 --> 00:15:56,499 [MORTAR EXPLODES] 314 00:15:59,635 --> 00:16:01,204 [TECHNICIAN]: ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN GUYS 315 00:16:01,237 --> 00:16:02,872 MOVING TACTICALLY THROUGH THE GRAPE FIELDS... 316 00:16:02,905 --> 00:16:04,307 AND ONE OF 'EM'S RUNNIN'! 317 00:16:04,340 --> 00:16:06,109 [***] 318 00:16:11,114 --> 00:16:12,615 [NARRATOR]: WHEN THE ONLY THING 319 00:16:12,648 --> 00:16:15,985 BETWEEN YOU AND ENEMY INSURGENTS IS YOUR GUN... 320 00:16:16,018 --> 00:16:20,556 THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH TARGET PRACTICE. 321 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:26,762 [ROCKETS BLASTING] 322 00:16:26,796 --> 00:16:29,299 [CACKLES HAPPILY] 323 00:16:29,332 --> 00:16:31,667 [NARRATOR]: THE SOLDIERS OF 1-PLATOON, MIKE COMPANY... 324 00:16:31,701 --> 00:16:32,802 [FIRES] 325 00:16:32,835 --> 00:16:35,071 ...ARE GEARING UP FOR A MAJOR PUSH... 326 00:16:35,105 --> 00:16:36,106 [EXPLODING] 327 00:16:36,139 --> 00:16:37,573 [FIRING] 328 00:16:37,607 --> 00:16:40,576 ...INTO A DEADLY TALIBAN STRONGHOLD. 329 00:16:41,577 --> 00:16:43,012 IT'S, THEY SAY, "BAD LANDS." 330 00:16:43,045 --> 00:16:45,915 NOT THAT IT'S NOT BAD ALL AROUND HERE, 331 00:16:45,948 --> 00:16:48,184 BUT THAT'S THE WORD ON THE STREET. 332 00:16:48,218 --> 00:16:52,388 [NARRATOR]: A FEW HUNDRED METRES FROM THE BASE, 333 00:16:52,422 --> 00:16:55,425 THERE'S AN IMAGINARY LINE IN THE SAND. 334 00:16:55,458 --> 00:16:59,629 THE MILITARY CALLS IT "THE 2-9 EASTING." 335 00:16:59,662 --> 00:17:02,165 OTHER TROOPS WHO'VE TRIED TO CROSS IT 336 00:17:02,198 --> 00:17:06,001 HAVE BEEN MET HEAD-ON BY THE ENEMY. 337 00:17:06,035 --> 00:17:08,504 MAJOR OBERWARTH'S STRATEGY-- 338 00:17:08,538 --> 00:17:11,574 CROSS THE 2-9 EASTING. 339 00:17:11,607 --> 00:17:13,843 SHOW THE ENEMY HIS SOLDIERS ARE NOT AFRAID 340 00:17:13,876 --> 00:17:16,112 TO MAKE THE FIRST MOVE, 341 00:17:16,146 --> 00:17:20,583 OR TO TAKE ON THE TALIBAN IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD. 342 00:17:20,616 --> 00:17:22,285 EVERYTHING WE DO PAST THE 2-9 EASTING 343 00:17:22,318 --> 00:17:24,720 FORCES THE ENEMY TO REACT TO US, 344 00:17:24,754 --> 00:17:26,722 AS OPPOSED TO US SITTING HERE WAITING TO REACT TO THEM, 345 00:17:26,756 --> 00:17:27,957 AND THAT'S GOOD. 346 00:17:27,990 --> 00:17:29,091 THAT'S GOING TO HELP US TO WIN THE WAR. 347 00:17:29,125 --> 00:17:31,261 THAT LINE IS... 348 00:17:31,294 --> 00:17:33,429 IT'S WHERE THE GAME REALLY BEGINS. 349 00:17:33,463 --> 00:17:35,265 IF WE'RE GOIN' THAT WAY AND LOOKING FOR A FIGHT, 350 00:17:35,298 --> 00:17:36,932 WE'RE GOING TO FIND ONE OVER THERE. 351 00:17:36,966 --> 00:17:41,904 [NARRATOR]: CAPTAIN COX HAS YET TO FEEL THE HEAT OF ENEMY FIRE, 352 00:17:41,937 --> 00:17:43,973 BUT A NEAR-AMBUSH 353 00:17:44,006 --> 00:17:46,376 DURING 1-PLATOON'S FOOT PATROL THREE DAYS AGO... 354 00:17:46,409 --> 00:17:48,778 [CAR HORN HONKS, THEN BLARES] 355 00:17:48,811 --> 00:17:50,480 OKAY, SIR! 356 00:17:50,513 --> 00:17:52,282 WE'VE GOT MOVEMENT OF FOUR GUYS OVER HERE. 357 00:17:52,315 --> 00:17:54,049 OKAY. 358 00:17:54,083 --> 00:17:57,387 [NARRATOR]: ...HAS MADE IT PERSONAL FOR THEM ALL. 359 00:17:57,420 --> 00:18:02,158 THE SOLDIERS ARE IN A FIGHTING MOOD. 360 00:18:02,192 --> 00:18:04,160 WE'RE GOING TO BE PASSING ENEMY LINES. 361 00:18:04,194 --> 00:18:05,295 SO SWEET. 362 00:18:05,328 --> 00:18:06,596 I'M PUMPED. 363 00:18:06,629 --> 00:18:08,731 I'M REALLY, REALLY PUMPED. 364 00:18:08,764 --> 00:18:10,633 [***] 365 00:18:10,666 --> 00:18:12,868 [CPT. COX]: OKAY. SITUATION: ENEMY. 366 00:18:12,902 --> 00:18:15,037 A SURGE OF 40 INSURGENT FIGHTERS 367 00:18:15,070 --> 00:18:16,606 HAS THE EXPRESSED INTENTION 368 00:18:16,639 --> 00:18:19,074 TO ENHANCE OR STEP UP THE NUMBER OF ATTACKS. 369 00:18:19,108 --> 00:18:21,711 THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING IN HERE. 370 00:18:21,744 --> 00:18:22,778 WE'RE NOT BACKIN' DOWN. 371 00:18:22,812 --> 00:18:23,913 [MEN CHUCKLE] 372 00:18:23,946 --> 00:18:25,615 [NARRATOR]: AND THEY'LL HAVE HELP 373 00:18:25,648 --> 00:18:28,150 FROM SOME HEAVY-HITTING ASSETS... 374 00:18:28,184 --> 00:18:29,919 [***] 375 00:18:29,952 --> 00:18:33,423 40 KILOMETRES AWAY, AT KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, 376 00:18:33,456 --> 00:18:35,991 INSIDE THE TACTICAL NERVE CENTRE, 377 00:18:36,025 --> 00:18:37,327 OBERWARTH'S BOSSES 378 00:18:37,360 --> 00:18:40,296 ARE ASSEMBLING AN IMPRESSIVE ARSENAL-- 379 00:18:40,330 --> 00:18:42,031 WE'VE GOT A LOT OF [BEEP] OVERHEAD. 380 00:18:42,064 --> 00:18:43,499 NO, EXACTLY. EXACTLY. 381 00:18:43,533 --> 00:18:45,501 [NARRATOR]: THE BATTLE GROUP COMMANDER, 382 00:18:45,535 --> 00:18:48,271 LIEUTENANT COLONEL ROGER BARRETT, 383 00:18:48,304 --> 00:18:51,974 HAS ORDERED UP HEAVILY-ARMED HELICOPTERS 384 00:18:52,007 --> 00:18:55,411 AND F-16 FIGHTER JETS. 385 00:18:55,445 --> 00:18:57,380 A PLANNED SHOW OF FORCE 386 00:18:57,413 --> 00:18:59,249 TO SHAKE UP THE ENEMY 387 00:18:59,282 --> 00:19:01,451 RIGHT BEFORE 1-PLATOON'S ARRIVAL. 388 00:19:01,484 --> 00:19:03,253 [LAUNCHER CLATTERS AND ZINGS] 389 00:19:03,286 --> 00:19:05,321 HEADQUARTERS ALSO HAS 390 00:19:05,355 --> 00:19:08,123 A FLEET OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES, 391 00:19:08,157 --> 00:19:09,892 OR "U.A.V.s"-- 392 00:19:09,925 --> 00:19:12,127 [***] 393 00:19:12,161 --> 00:19:15,831 ...GATHERING INTELLIGENCE ON THE TARGET AREA. 394 00:19:15,865 --> 00:19:18,000 WE'LL FOLLOW THESE GUYS FOR A BIT, FIND OUT, UM... 395 00:19:18,033 --> 00:19:22,438 WHETHER THEY'RE ACTUALLY, UH, DOING ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS. 396 00:19:22,472 --> 00:19:23,806 [NARRATOR]: DURING THE MISSION, 397 00:19:23,839 --> 00:19:28,778 THESE U.A.V.s WILL OPERATE LIKE "EYES IN THE SKY"... 398 00:19:28,811 --> 00:19:32,147 TRANSMITTING IN REAL TIME. 399 00:19:32,181 --> 00:19:35,184 WE WILL BE WATCHING AND ANALYZING THAT INFORMATION 400 00:19:35,217 --> 00:19:38,988 TO SEE HOW THE INSURGENTS REACT AND MOVE. 401 00:19:39,021 --> 00:19:40,923 [***] 402 00:19:40,956 --> 00:19:42,992 [NARRATOR]: SOUTHWEST OF HEADQUARTERS, 403 00:19:43,025 --> 00:19:45,261 AT MIKE COMPANY'S BASE, 404 00:19:45,295 --> 00:19:48,898 A SET OF 122MM HOWITZERS 405 00:19:48,931 --> 00:19:52,034 WILL ROUND OUT THE MISSION'S SHOW OF FORCE, 406 00:19:52,067 --> 00:19:56,506 MANNED BY THEIR ALLIES, THE AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY. 407 00:19:56,539 --> 00:19:59,775 OBERWARTH IS ALSO COUNTING ON THE A.N.A. 408 00:19:59,809 --> 00:20:01,944 TO WORK IN TANDEM WITH HIS SOLDIERS 409 00:20:01,977 --> 00:20:04,246 DURING THE MISSION ITSELF. 410 00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:07,717 [***] 411 00:20:26,736 --> 00:20:31,874 [NARRATOR]: THE PLATOON HEADS OUT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. 412 00:20:31,907 --> 00:20:37,580 MAJOR OBERWARTH WANTS THE INSURGENT SPIES TO SEE THEM 413 00:20:37,613 --> 00:20:39,482 AND SPREAD THE WORD. 414 00:20:39,515 --> 00:20:42,452 [***] 415 00:20:45,788 --> 00:20:48,090 OBERWARTH'S PLAN-- 416 00:20:48,123 --> 00:20:52,662 HEAD EAST TO FOOL THE ENEMY... 417 00:20:52,695 --> 00:20:54,630 THEN, OVERNIGHT, 418 00:20:54,664 --> 00:20:56,766 DOUBLE BACK... 419 00:20:56,799 --> 00:20:59,735 CROSS THE 2-9 EASTING LINE... 420 00:20:59,769 --> 00:21:03,739 INTO A VILLAGE CODE-NAMED "OBJECTIVE SWORD," 421 00:21:03,773 --> 00:21:08,444 AND SURPRISE THE TALIBAN AT THEIR OWN DOORSTEP. 422 00:21:08,478 --> 00:21:10,646 [***] 423 00:21:11,681 --> 00:21:14,584 THE SOLDIERS SPILL INTO THE DESERT 424 00:21:14,617 --> 00:21:18,087 AS IF THEY'RE BUNKING DOWN FOR THE NIGHT. 425 00:21:23,125 --> 00:21:25,628 [NARRATOR]: 2:00 a.m., 426 00:21:25,661 --> 00:21:28,798 MIKE COMPANY ROLLS BACK THE WAY IT CAME. 427 00:21:28,831 --> 00:21:30,099 BY DAYBREAK, 428 00:21:30,132 --> 00:21:34,069 THEY'LL HAVE CROSSED THE NOTORIOUS 2-9 EASTING 429 00:21:34,103 --> 00:21:36,806 AND BE POISED FOR AN ATTACK. 430 00:21:36,839 --> 00:21:38,774 THE ENTIRE PLAN 431 00:21:38,808 --> 00:21:43,312 DEPENDS ON CATCHING THE INSURGENTS OFF-GUARD... 432 00:21:43,345 --> 00:21:45,147 [***] 433 00:21:45,180 --> 00:21:48,083 ...BUT 1-PLATOON IS GOING TO BE MET 434 00:21:48,117 --> 00:21:50,853 WITH A NASTY SURPRISE OF ITS OWN. 435 00:21:50,886 --> 00:21:52,755 [***] 436 00:21:52,788 --> 00:21:54,056 [ROCKET SCREAMS OVERHEAD] 437 00:21:54,089 --> 00:21:55,124 CONTACT! GET ON THE GROUND! 438 00:21:55,157 --> 00:21:57,192 [***] 439 00:21:59,862 --> 00:22:02,965 [NARRATOR]: OVERNIGHT, THE SOLDIERS OF 1-PLATOON 440 00:22:02,998 --> 00:22:07,036 HAVE CROSSED THE INFAMOUS 2-9 EASTING... 441 00:22:07,069 --> 00:22:08,270 THE IMAGINARY LINE 442 00:22:08,303 --> 00:22:11,474 THAT MARKS THE HEART OF TALIBAN TURF. 443 00:22:11,507 --> 00:22:14,243 [***] 444 00:22:16,479 --> 00:22:19,381 THEY'RE READY TO LAUNCH A SURPRISE SWEEP 445 00:22:19,415 --> 00:22:22,452 INTO A SUSPECTED ENEMY STRONGHOLD, 446 00:22:22,485 --> 00:22:25,254 A VILLAGE WHERE MAJOR OBERWARTH HOPES 447 00:22:25,287 --> 00:22:28,390 TO CATCH INSURGENTS OFF-GUARD. 448 00:22:29,725 --> 00:22:33,328 TURNS OUT, HE'S IN FOR A SURPRISE. 449 00:22:38,968 --> 00:22:40,936 [NARRATOR]: IT APPEARS THAT THE VILLAGE 450 00:22:40,970 --> 00:22:42,705 HAS BEEN TIPPED OFF 451 00:22:42,738 --> 00:22:44,707 THAT THERE'S TROUBLE BREWING. 452 00:22:44,740 --> 00:22:48,478 OBERWARTH ALERTS HIS SOLDIERS BACK AT THE COMMAND POST. 453 00:22:53,783 --> 00:22:55,451 THEY MUST KNOW THERE'S SOMETHING IN THERE, 454 00:22:55,485 --> 00:22:56,552 AND, AS SUCH, 455 00:22:56,586 --> 00:22:59,955 WE NEED TO BE READY TO DEAL WITH IT. 456 00:22:59,989 --> 00:23:06,896 [NARRATOR]: HEADQUARTERS ORDERS ARMED HELICOPTERS... 457 00:23:06,929 --> 00:23:09,198 AND EVERY AVAILABLE U.A.V. 458 00:23:09,231 --> 00:23:11,867 TO GET EYES ON THE VILLAGE. 459 00:23:11,901 --> 00:23:13,969 [***] 460 00:23:14,003 --> 00:23:18,240 THEY DETECT INSURGENTS MOVING INTO POSITION. 461 00:23:18,273 --> 00:23:19,441 ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN GUYS 462 00:23:19,475 --> 00:23:21,043 MOVING TACTICALLY THROUGH THE GRAPE FIELDS, 463 00:23:21,076 --> 00:23:22,478 AND THEN INTO THE TREELINES. 464 00:23:22,512 --> 00:23:23,613 WE FOLLOWED FOUR GUYS, 465 00:23:23,646 --> 00:23:27,082 AND THEY'RE HOLED UP IN THIS COMPOUND. 466 00:23:27,116 --> 00:23:30,486 [NARRATOR]: OBERWARTH'S PLAN IS RUINED... 467 00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:34,189 BUT HE'S NOT ABOUT TO BACK OFF. 468 00:23:34,223 --> 00:23:37,192 [***] 469 00:23:37,226 --> 00:23:38,861 THE SHOW OF FORCE, 470 00:23:38,894 --> 00:23:41,130 DESIGNED TO RATTLE THE INSURGENTS, 471 00:23:41,163 --> 00:23:43,032 GETS UNDERWAY. 472 00:23:43,065 --> 00:23:44,934 [***] 473 00:23:47,737 --> 00:23:49,705 FROM MIKE COMPANY'S BASE, 474 00:23:49,739 --> 00:23:53,375 THEIR ALLIES IN THE AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY 475 00:23:53,408 --> 00:23:55,210 LAUNCH HOWITZER SHELLS. 476 00:23:55,244 --> 00:23:58,280 [HOWITZERS ROARING] 477 00:23:58,313 --> 00:24:00,750 [SCATTERED SHOUTING] 478 00:24:03,318 --> 00:24:04,720 [***] 479 00:24:04,754 --> 00:24:08,390 [NARRATOR]: THEY POUND THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE VILLAGE. 480 00:24:08,423 --> 00:24:09,825 AS PLANNED, 481 00:24:09,859 --> 00:24:12,494 ANOTHER GROUP OF AFGHAN ARMY SOLDIERS 482 00:24:12,528 --> 00:24:16,098 JOINS CAPTAIN COX AND 1-PLATOON. 483 00:24:16,131 --> 00:24:19,234 THEY MOVE INTO THE VILLAGE TOGETHER. 484 00:24:19,268 --> 00:24:20,435 [CPT. COX]: I'M GOING TO PUT THE ENTIRE PLATOON 485 00:24:20,469 --> 00:24:21,937 ON THE LEFT FLANK WITH THE A.N.A. 486 00:24:21,971 --> 00:24:23,405 SO WE'RE GOING TO LEAD WITH ALPHA. 487 00:24:23,438 --> 00:24:25,174 WE'LL MOVE UP TO THAT WALL, TAKE A LOOK. 488 00:24:25,207 --> 00:24:26,642 ONCE IT'S CLEAR, 489 00:24:26,676 --> 00:24:29,511 WE'LL PUSH UP CHARLIE, AND THEN WE'LL MOVE FROM THERE. 490 00:24:29,545 --> 00:24:31,847 [***] 491 00:24:31,881 --> 00:24:34,149 THEY LEAVE THEIR LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLES 492 00:24:34,183 --> 00:24:35,450 OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE, 493 00:24:35,484 --> 00:24:38,654 ALONG WITH ANOTHER PLATOON FOR BACKUP 494 00:24:38,688 --> 00:24:41,190 IN CASE OF TROUBLE. 495 00:24:41,223 --> 00:24:43,626 COX'S STRATEGY-- 496 00:24:43,659 --> 00:24:47,262 ONE SECTION OF THE PLATOON ADVANCES, 497 00:24:47,296 --> 00:24:49,732 SECURING AN AREA AHEAD. 498 00:24:49,765 --> 00:24:51,701 ONCE IT'S COVERED, 499 00:24:51,734 --> 00:24:53,569 ANOTHER SECTION LEAPFROGS PAST 500 00:24:53,603 --> 00:24:55,971 TO SECURE THE NEXT AREA... 501 00:24:56,005 --> 00:24:58,540 SWEEPING THROUGH THE MAZE OF COMPOUNDS 502 00:24:58,574 --> 00:25:01,076 THAT MAKES UP THIS VILLAGE. 503 00:25:01,110 --> 00:25:04,346 [***] 504 00:25:12,487 --> 00:25:14,123 1-1, UH, 1-1 CHARLIE. 505 00:25:14,156 --> 00:25:16,325 THE A.N.A. IS SEARCHING INDIVIDUALS 506 00:25:16,358 --> 00:25:19,094 AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH. OVER. 507 00:25:19,128 --> 00:25:22,564 [NARRATOR]: AS THE AFGHAN ARMY SEARCHES CIVILIANS, 508 00:25:22,598 --> 00:25:25,167 1-PLATOON PROVIDES COVER. 509 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:26,836 KEEP YOUR SPACING. 510 00:25:26,869 --> 00:25:28,671 SAM! YEAH, THERE'S A WOMAN 511 00:25:28,704 --> 00:25:30,139 IN THAT COMPOUND RIGHT THERE. 512 00:25:30,172 --> 00:25:31,974 [***] 513 00:25:32,007 --> 00:25:33,676 TAKE A LOOK UP ON THE ROOFS, 514 00:25:33,709 --> 00:25:34,844 ALLEYWAYS, DOORWAYS. 515 00:25:34,877 --> 00:25:38,047 KEEP A GOOD EYE OUT. 516 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:39,548 [NARRATOR]: OVERHEAD, 517 00:25:39,581 --> 00:25:40,916 AERIAL SURVEILLANCE 518 00:25:40,950 --> 00:25:44,319 REVEALS THE INSURGENTS ARE REPOSITIONING. 519 00:25:44,353 --> 00:25:47,657 THERE'S THREE OF 'EM-- I THINK THEY'RE ALL MOVING. 520 00:25:47,690 --> 00:25:50,192 WHERE ARE THEY GOING? 521 00:25:50,225 --> 00:25:51,193 THAT'S GOOD... 522 00:25:51,226 --> 00:25:52,494 GET OUT IN THE OPEN, BOYS. 523 00:25:52,527 --> 00:25:56,465 [NARRATOR]: BUT THE ENEMY HAS ITS OWN PLANS. 524 00:25:56,498 --> 00:25:57,900 [EXPLOSION ROARS] 525 00:25:57,933 --> 00:25:58,968 COMING DOWN! 526 00:25:59,001 --> 00:26:00,135 GET ON THE GROUND! 527 00:26:00,169 --> 00:26:01,637 [NARRATOR]: A MORTAR ATTACK... 528 00:26:01,671 --> 00:26:05,775 AIMED AT THE SOLDIERS' VEHICLES ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE VILLAGE. 529 00:26:05,808 --> 00:26:09,011 THE INSURGENTS MISSED THEIR TARGET. 530 00:26:16,385 --> 00:26:19,454 [NARRATOR]: WITHIN SECONDS, ENEMY GUNFIRE. 531 00:26:19,488 --> 00:26:21,390 [RAPID GUNFIRE BEGINS] 532 00:26:21,423 --> 00:26:23,726 ON THE LEFT! 533 00:26:28,230 --> 00:26:29,531 1-1, ROGER. HAVE YOU GOT EYES ON WHERE YOU BELIEVE 534 00:26:29,564 --> 00:26:31,066 THAT SMALL ARMS FIRE CAME FROM, OVER? 535 00:26:40,876 --> 00:26:43,813 HE'S GOT SIX TO SEVEN HERE... 536 00:26:43,846 --> 00:26:44,814 COPY THAT. 537 00:26:44,847 --> 00:26:46,015 OKAY. 538 00:26:46,048 --> 00:26:47,850 AND ONE OF 'EM'S RUNNIN'... 539 00:26:47,883 --> 00:26:50,720 HAULIN' ASS. 540 00:26:50,753 --> 00:26:54,489 [NARRATOR]: SO FAR, THE ENEMY'S AIM HAS BEEN OFF... 541 00:26:54,523 --> 00:26:57,626 BUT IT'S ABOUT TO GET BETTER. 542 00:26:57,659 --> 00:26:58,861 [ROCKET SCREAMS OVERHEAD] 543 00:26:58,894 --> 00:27:00,830 SHIT! 544 00:27:00,863 --> 00:27:01,831 [EXPLOSION] 545 00:27:01,864 --> 00:27:02,998 CONTACT! 546 00:27:03,032 --> 00:27:05,500 WHAT DO YOU GOT? 547 00:27:05,534 --> 00:27:07,536 [NARRATOR]: THE ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE 548 00:27:07,569 --> 00:27:10,372 SKIMS RIGHT OVER THEIR HEADS. 549 00:27:10,405 --> 00:27:13,442 [***] 550 00:27:13,475 --> 00:27:14,609 [MAJ. OBERWARTH]: JON! 551 00:27:14,643 --> 00:27:15,711 JON! 552 00:27:15,745 --> 00:27:16,979 [CPT. COX]: SIR? 553 00:27:17,012 --> 00:27:18,347 WE'LL NEED STRONG FLANK SECURITY 554 00:27:18,380 --> 00:27:19,648 ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE, OKAY? 555 00:27:19,681 --> 00:27:21,817 [CPT. COX]: OKAY, SIR. 556 00:27:21,851 --> 00:27:24,319 [NARRATOR]: HEADQUARTERS ORDERS THE CHOPPERS 557 00:27:24,353 --> 00:27:28,657 TO KEEP THEIR GUNS POINTED RIGHT AT THE VILLAGE. 558 00:27:34,196 --> 00:27:37,032 [***] 559 00:27:38,133 --> 00:27:40,469 SO THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE WITH THE R.P.G. SHOT. 560 00:27:40,502 --> 00:27:42,271 FLEW RIGHT OVER OUR HEADS. 561 00:27:43,973 --> 00:27:45,407 WELL... 562 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:47,843 THIS IS IT. 563 00:27:47,877 --> 00:27:50,913 [***] 564 00:27:52,214 --> 00:27:57,386 [NARRATOR]: THE CLOSE CALL HAS SPOOKED THE ROOKIES. 565 00:27:57,419 --> 00:27:59,755 THEY HUG THE WALLS 566 00:27:59,789 --> 00:28:04,159 INSTEAD OF PROVIDING COVER FOR THEIR COMRADES. 567 00:28:04,193 --> 00:28:08,463 COX NEEDS HIS PLATOON TO GATHER ITS COURAGE, 568 00:28:08,497 --> 00:28:11,700 AND ORDERS HIS SERGEANTS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. 569 00:28:11,733 --> 00:28:14,203 [COX]: WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS WE'RE GOING TO START PUSHING 570 00:28:14,236 --> 00:28:16,205 THAT WAY, TOWARDS THAT CONTACT, ABOUT 300 METRES. 571 00:28:16,238 --> 00:28:17,572 YEAH? 572 00:28:17,606 --> 00:28:19,041 THEY NEED TO GO IN AND CLEAR THAT WAY. 573 00:28:19,074 --> 00:28:20,109 OKAY, PERFECT. 574 00:28:20,142 --> 00:28:22,778 GILLEY, YOU AND HILLSON, COME HERE! 575 00:28:22,812 --> 00:28:27,249 [NARRATOR]: THE SERGEANTS PASS COX'S ORDERS TO THE ROOKIES-- 576 00:28:27,282 --> 00:28:29,684 GO IN THERE AND JUST [BEEP] CLEAR IT OUT, OKAY? 577 00:28:29,718 --> 00:28:32,021 [SGT. DWYER]: J-10. B.M.! 578 00:28:32,054 --> 00:28:33,055 UP! 579 00:28:33,088 --> 00:28:36,058 [***] 580 00:28:36,091 --> 00:28:37,159 COME ON, [BEEP]. 581 00:28:37,192 --> 00:28:39,728 POP YOUR HEAD UP SO I CAN SHOOT YOU. 582 00:28:39,761 --> 00:28:41,630 [***] 583 00:28:41,663 --> 00:28:43,933 [NARRATOR]: CONFIDENCE IS UP. 584 00:28:43,966 --> 00:28:45,868 1-PLATOON PUSHES THROUGH THE VILLAGE... 585 00:28:45,901 --> 00:28:49,538 BUT THE INSURGENTS HAVE SLIPPED AWAY. 586 00:28:49,571 --> 00:28:50,739 WE'RE HERE. 587 00:28:50,772 --> 00:28:52,875 WE CAME FOR A FIGHT, AND THEY RAN AWAY. 588 00:28:52,908 --> 00:28:54,543 PFFT. 589 00:28:54,576 --> 00:28:56,445 COWARDS. 590 00:28:56,478 --> 00:28:59,214 [BEEP] COWARDS. 591 00:28:59,248 --> 00:29:01,783 [***] 592 00:29:01,817 --> 00:29:05,087 BRAVO. YOU JUST GO UP THIS WAY TO YOUR VEHICLE. 593 00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:08,457 [NARRATOR]: COX ISN'T HAPPY HIS SOLDIERS HESITATED. 594 00:29:08,490 --> 00:29:11,526 HE REMINDS HIS EXPERIENCED SERGEANTS-- 595 00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:14,563 KEEP A GRIP ON THOSE COMBAT ROOKIES. 596 00:29:14,596 --> 00:29:15,797 YOU'RE GETTING LAZY AS COMMANDERS 597 00:29:15,831 --> 00:29:17,066 TO LET THAT HAPPEN. 598 00:29:17,099 --> 00:29:19,902 I KNOW AS SOON AS R.P.G.s STARTED COMING OVER, 599 00:29:19,935 --> 00:29:21,036 THEY GOT A LITTLE SCARED, 600 00:29:21,070 --> 00:29:22,271 AND YOU COULD SEE IT, 601 00:29:22,304 --> 00:29:24,239 'CAUSE EVERYBODY STARTED HUGGING THE WALLS AGAIN. 602 00:29:24,273 --> 00:29:26,075 YOU GOT TO GO FORWARD FROM THAT. 603 00:29:26,108 --> 00:29:27,776 YOU CAN'T SHRINK AWAY. 604 00:29:27,809 --> 00:29:29,845 YOU GOT TO STEP INTO IT AND FACE THE DANGER, 605 00:29:29,879 --> 00:29:31,480 NOT RUN AWAY FROM IT... 606 00:29:31,513 --> 00:29:34,616 AND THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK TO YOU FOR THAT. 607 00:29:34,649 --> 00:29:37,352 [NARRATOR]: 1-PLATOON WAVERED TODAY, 608 00:29:37,386 --> 00:29:39,554 BUT THEY DID RECOVER QUICKLY. 609 00:29:39,588 --> 00:29:42,457 PLATOON VETERANS FIGURE IT'S A SIGN 610 00:29:42,491 --> 00:29:44,960 THE ROOKIES' TRAINING IS KICKING IN. 611 00:29:44,994 --> 00:29:47,562 WELL, I THINK THIS TODAY KIND OF SET THE TONE 612 00:29:47,596 --> 00:29:48,763 FOR OUR PLATOON 613 00:29:48,797 --> 00:29:50,432 AND IT'S GOT EVERYBODY-- YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? 614 00:29:50,465 --> 00:29:51,867 ...INTO THE GAME NOW. 615 00:29:51,901 --> 00:29:55,204 [NARRATOR]: THEY'D BETTER BE IN THE GAME, 616 00:29:55,237 --> 00:29:57,139 WITH THOSE COMBAT JITTERS CONQUERED... 617 00:29:57,172 --> 00:29:59,774 OKAY, LET'S GO! 618 00:29:59,808 --> 00:30:01,543 GET IN! 619 00:30:01,576 --> 00:30:03,412 ...BECAUSE NEXT TIME 620 00:30:03,445 --> 00:30:06,348 THEY COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY-- 621 00:30:06,381 --> 00:30:07,682 [EXPLOSION ROARS] 622 00:30:07,716 --> 00:30:08,617 CONTACT! 623 00:30:09,818 --> 00:30:11,453 GO! LET'S GO! 624 00:30:11,486 --> 00:30:13,388 [NARRATOR]: ...IT WILL BE A IN FIREFIGHT... 625 00:30:13,422 --> 00:30:14,957 [BLASTING AND EXPLODING] 626 00:30:14,990 --> 00:30:16,325 [VOLLEY OF GUNFIRE] 627 00:30:16,358 --> 00:30:19,028 ...WHERE HESITATION CAN KILL. 628 00:30:19,061 --> 00:30:21,063 [***] 629 00:30:27,202 --> 00:30:28,503 ALL RIGHT. HERE'S OUR TRANSPORT. 630 00:30:28,537 --> 00:30:30,739 ON THE WAY TO ZANGABAD. 631 00:30:30,772 --> 00:30:32,307 WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME SERIOUS [BEEP] UP! 632 00:30:32,341 --> 00:30:33,742 YEAH! 633 00:30:39,915 --> 00:30:43,818 [NARRATOR]: THE SOLDIERS OF 1-PLATOON, MIKE COMPANY 634 00:30:43,852 --> 00:30:47,356 HAVE YET TO PROVE THEMSELVES IN A REAL FIREFIGHT. 635 00:30:47,389 --> 00:30:52,827 CHANCES ARE, THIS RIDE WILL CHANGE THAT. 636 00:30:52,861 --> 00:30:55,330 [***] 637 00:30:55,364 --> 00:30:57,299 OFF WE GO, FELLAS. 638 00:30:59,701 --> 00:31:02,104 [NARRATOR]: THEY'RE HEADED FOR ZANGABAD, 639 00:31:02,137 --> 00:31:05,975 IN THE HEART OF AFGHANISTAN'S DEADLY PANJWAII DISTRICT. 640 00:31:06,008 --> 00:31:08,543 [***] 641 00:31:11,580 --> 00:31:14,083 THEY APPROACH BY AIR 642 00:31:14,116 --> 00:31:18,553 BECAUSE THE ROAD BELOW IS RIDDLED WITH BOMBS. 643 00:31:18,587 --> 00:31:21,056 THEIR DESTINATION IS SO DANGEROUS, 644 00:31:21,090 --> 00:31:24,193 IT'S OFF-LIMITS TO THE CAMERA CREW. 645 00:31:24,226 --> 00:31:27,462 THIS VIDEO IS THE SOLDIERS' OWN. 646 00:31:27,496 --> 00:31:32,267 JUST EIGHT KILOMETRES FROM MIKE COMPANY'S BASE, 647 00:31:32,301 --> 00:31:37,239 WAR HAS ISOLATED THIS SMALL, CRUDE OUTPOST. 648 00:31:37,272 --> 00:31:41,176 IT WILL BE HOME TO 1-PLATOON FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS. 649 00:31:56,391 --> 00:31:58,693 [NARRATOR]: FOR THE PAST YEAR, 650 00:31:58,727 --> 00:32:00,395 IT'S BEEN A LOSING BATTLE 651 00:32:00,429 --> 00:32:03,798 TRYING TO KEEP THE ENEMY OUT OF THIS AREA. 652 00:32:03,832 --> 00:32:05,634 THE EVIDENCE OF IT 653 00:32:05,667 --> 00:32:08,070 IS JUST METRES OUTSIDE THE WALLS. 654 00:32:08,103 --> 00:32:09,804 [***] 655 00:32:09,838 --> 00:32:10,939 [PTE. VALENTIATE]: THIS HERE'S 656 00:32:10,972 --> 00:32:13,675 REMNANTS OF AN OLD I.E.D. STRIKE. 657 00:32:13,708 --> 00:32:16,411 THAT'S WHAT AN I.E.D. CAN DO TO A VEHICLE. 658 00:32:16,445 --> 00:32:18,847 NOT VERY FORGIVING. 659 00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:22,017 THIS IS THE SECOND-DEADLIEST ROAD IN THE WORLD. 660 00:32:22,051 --> 00:32:24,286 ACCORDING TO WHO, I DON'T KNOW... 661 00:32:24,319 --> 00:32:26,755 BUT, WELL, WE WON'T TRAVEL IT, 662 00:32:26,788 --> 00:32:30,525 BECAUSE IT WOULD BE... MORE OR LESS SUICIDE. 663 00:32:30,559 --> 00:32:32,527 [***] 664 00:32:32,561 --> 00:32:35,864 AND THIS IS GOING TO BE THE GUIDED TOUR OF ZANGABAD. 665 00:32:35,897 --> 00:32:39,434 SO, UH, I'M AT THE FRONT GATE NOW. 666 00:32:39,468 --> 00:32:41,570 HERE'S THE AMMO BUNKER. 667 00:32:41,603 --> 00:32:44,506 THERE'S A LOT OF MUNITIONS IN THERE. 668 00:32:44,539 --> 00:32:47,276 THAT'S THE MORTAR PIT... 669 00:32:47,309 --> 00:32:50,412 AND ALL THE C-CANS THAT WE LIVE IN. 670 00:32:50,445 --> 00:32:52,281 THEY'RE, UH, ARMOURED AGAINST MORTARS, 671 00:32:52,314 --> 00:32:55,150 AND THEY'VE GOT AIR CONDITIONERS AND HEATERS IN THEM, 672 00:32:55,184 --> 00:32:56,318 SO IT'S PRETTY SWEET. 673 00:32:56,351 --> 00:32:57,586 THE PLACE IS PIMPED! 674 00:32:57,619 --> 00:32:59,321 PERSIAN CARPETS... 675 00:32:59,354 --> 00:33:01,156 SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ZANGABAD, MAN? 676 00:33:01,190 --> 00:33:02,424 [TAKES A DEEP BREATH] 677 00:33:02,457 --> 00:33:04,626 VACATION. 678 00:33:04,659 --> 00:33:06,795 TALIBAN, THEY'RE [BEEP]... THEY'RE ON VACATION, TOO. 679 00:33:06,828 --> 00:33:08,363 THEY'RE NO THREAT. 680 00:33:08,397 --> 00:33:10,499 [NARRATOR]: USUALLY, 681 00:33:10,532 --> 00:33:13,668 WINTER IS THE TALIBAN'S SLOW SEASON... 682 00:33:13,702 --> 00:33:15,870 [PTE. QUINLAN]: SO, YOU GUYS SEE ANYTHING TODAY? 683 00:33:15,904 --> 00:33:17,872 REALLY? OTHER THAN KIDS? 684 00:33:17,906 --> 00:33:20,175 [NARRATOR]: ...NOT THIS YEAR. 685 00:33:20,209 --> 00:33:22,644 [MORTARS POPPING OFF] 686 00:33:22,677 --> 00:33:25,780 [NARRATOR]: TWO SHOTS WHISTLE OVERHEAD. 687 00:33:25,814 --> 00:33:27,082 [***] 688 00:33:27,116 --> 00:33:28,450 WITHIN SECONDS, 689 00:33:28,483 --> 00:33:31,186 1-PLATOON IS READY TO RETURN FIRE... 690 00:33:32,421 --> 00:33:34,823 BUT HEAVY BRUSH AROUND THE CAMP 691 00:33:34,856 --> 00:33:37,126 MAKES IT TOUGH TO SEE WHO'S FIRING ON THEM. 692 00:33:37,159 --> 00:33:39,394 [***] 693 00:33:39,428 --> 00:33:40,529 HOLD ON! 694 00:33:40,562 --> 00:33:42,464 [***] 695 00:33:42,497 --> 00:33:46,835 [NARRATOR]: CAPTAIN COX CALLS FOR AIRBORNE SURVEILLANCE. 696 00:33:48,770 --> 00:33:50,105 OVERHEAD, 697 00:33:50,139 --> 00:33:54,008 AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE TRACKS A MAN ON A BIKE... 698 00:33:54,042 --> 00:33:56,611 [***] 699 00:33:56,645 --> 00:33:59,214 AND OUR FRIEND, THE BICYCLIST, MAKING PRETTY GOOD TIME. 700 00:33:59,248 --> 00:34:01,049 [NARRATOR]: BUT THEY'RE NOT SURE 701 00:34:01,082 --> 00:34:04,486 HE'S THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACK. 702 00:34:04,519 --> 00:34:06,421 WELL, THAT WAS A LOT OF... 703 00:34:06,455 --> 00:34:09,358 PREPARATION FOR NOTHING. 704 00:34:09,391 --> 00:34:13,295 [NARRATOR]: THEY'LL LATER LEARN IT WASN'T AN ATTACK. 705 00:34:13,328 --> 00:34:15,330 IT WAS A TEST. 706 00:34:15,364 --> 00:34:17,932 [***] 707 00:34:28,177 --> 00:34:29,878 2008. ZANGABAD. 708 00:34:29,911 --> 00:34:31,146 AFGHANISTAN. 709 00:34:31,180 --> 00:34:33,682 [PTE. QUINLAN]: EVERYONE'S ENJOYING, UH... 710 00:34:33,715 --> 00:34:35,617 THEIR POST-BREAKFAST LOUNGE. 711 00:34:37,819 --> 00:34:41,256 [NARRATOR]: WHEN IT'S QUIET LIKE THIS, 712 00:34:41,290 --> 00:34:43,525 IT'S NOT RELAXING. 713 00:34:43,558 --> 00:34:45,727 IT'S UNNERVING. 714 00:34:45,760 --> 00:34:47,729 [VALENTIATE]: YOU LOOKING AT ANYTHING 715 00:34:47,762 --> 00:34:48,997 IN PARTICULAR THERE, MULLINS? 716 00:34:56,338 --> 00:34:57,606 [EXPLOSION ROARS] 717 00:34:57,639 --> 00:34:58,673 CONTACT! 718 00:34:59,774 --> 00:35:01,410 LET'S GO, BRAVO! 719 00:35:01,443 --> 00:35:02,811 GO! 720 00:35:02,844 --> 00:35:04,246 [NARRATOR]: AN ENEMY MORTAR 721 00:35:04,279 --> 00:35:07,382 SLAMS INTO A FIELD JUST SOUTH OF THE OUTPOST. 722 00:35:12,020 --> 00:35:13,255 [***] 723 00:35:13,288 --> 00:35:15,357 [NARRATOR]: THE INSURGENTS 724 00:35:15,390 --> 00:35:18,360 ARE JUST 300 METRES FROM 1-PLATOON. 725 00:35:18,393 --> 00:35:20,229 [***] 726 00:35:20,262 --> 00:35:24,833 CAPTAIN COX NEEDS TO ZERO IN ON THE ENEMY'S LOCATION 727 00:35:24,866 --> 00:35:28,903 SO HE CAN CONCENTRATE HIS OWN FIREPOWER. 728 00:35:30,439 --> 00:35:31,773 WITHIN SECONDS, 729 00:35:31,806 --> 00:35:35,043 THE PLATOON IDENTIFIES AT LEAST EIGHT INSURGENTS. 730 00:35:35,076 --> 00:35:37,145 STAND BY! 731 00:35:37,178 --> 00:35:40,549 [***] 732 00:35:44,886 --> 00:35:48,056 [TAKES A SHAKY BREATH] 733 00:35:48,089 --> 00:35:49,291 FIRE! 734 00:35:49,324 --> 00:35:52,594 [HEAVY OVERLAPPING GUNFIRE UNLEASHING] 735 00:35:57,766 --> 00:35:59,301 [BEEP] PERFECT. 736 00:36:00,902 --> 00:36:04,105 [NARRATOR]: THE ENEMY'S AK-47s 737 00:36:04,138 --> 00:36:07,976 MAY BE NO MATCH FOR 1-PLATOON'S BIG GUNS... 738 00:36:08,009 --> 00:36:10,178 [ROCKET BLASTS AND EXPLODES] 739 00:36:10,211 --> 00:36:13,548 ...BUT THEY'RE NOT BACKING DOWN... 740 00:36:13,582 --> 00:36:15,717 [BARRAGE CONTINUES] 741 00:36:15,750 --> 00:36:20,589 ...AND NOW THEY'VE ALSO HOLED UP IN A NEARBY GRAPE HUT. 742 00:36:20,622 --> 00:36:22,791 WHAT COX DOES NEXT 743 00:36:22,824 --> 00:36:24,326 WILL BE A TEST 744 00:36:24,359 --> 00:36:26,227 OF HIS SOLDIERS' ABILITY TO REACT 745 00:36:26,261 --> 00:36:28,630 AND RESPOND AS A UNIT. 746 00:36:28,663 --> 00:36:31,700 THEY'VE DONE IT COUNTLESS TIMES IN TRAINING, 747 00:36:31,733 --> 00:36:34,936 BUT IN THE HEAT OF THEIR FIRST REAL BATTLE, 748 00:36:34,969 --> 00:36:38,607 IT'S SOMETHING ELSE ALTOGETHER. 749 00:36:38,640 --> 00:36:41,976 COX ORDERS THEM TO PIN DOWN THE ENEMY... 750 00:36:42,010 --> 00:36:43,578 [BLASTING] 751 00:36:43,612 --> 00:36:45,747 [EXPLODING] 752 00:36:45,780 --> 00:36:47,081 ...AND THEN UNLOAD. 753 00:36:50,319 --> 00:36:52,354 [CONTROLS BEEP] 754 00:36:54,823 --> 00:36:56,057 FIRE FOR EFFECT! 755 00:36:56,090 --> 00:36:58,026 FIRE FOR EFFECT! 756 00:36:58,059 --> 00:37:00,929 NOW! LET'S GO! GET ANOTHER ONE! 757 00:37:00,962 --> 00:37:03,532 [EXPLOSIONS RIPPLING] 758 00:37:03,565 --> 00:37:05,099 LET'S GO! FIRE! 759 00:37:05,133 --> 00:37:07,235 AND ANOTHER ONE! 760 00:37:07,268 --> 00:37:08,903 [EXPLOSIONS ROARING] 761 00:37:08,937 --> 00:37:12,140 [NARRATOR]: THE BATTLE RAGES FOR HALF AN HOUR. 762 00:37:12,173 --> 00:37:14,042 [***] 763 00:37:16,478 --> 00:37:19,614 [NARRATOR]: THEN, THE ENEMY'S GUNFIRE 764 00:37:19,648 --> 00:37:21,883 SUDDENLY STOPS. 765 00:37:21,916 --> 00:37:24,686 IT'S OVER. 766 00:37:32,561 --> 00:37:35,764 [NARRATOR]: TODAY WAS A MAJOR TURNING POINT 767 00:37:35,797 --> 00:37:37,298 FOR THE SOLDIERS OF 1-PLATOON. 768 00:37:37,332 --> 00:37:41,202 THEY'VE SURVIVED THEIR FIRST FIREFIGHT. 769 00:37:41,235 --> 00:37:45,073 SOLDIERS CALL IT A "TIC"-- "TROOPS IN CONTACT." 770 00:37:45,106 --> 00:37:47,776 [SIGHS]: AHH... GOOD TIMES. 771 00:37:47,809 --> 00:37:49,811 THAT GRAPE HUT OUT IN THE GRAPE FIELD OUT THERE? 772 00:37:49,844 --> 00:37:51,646 THAT THING'S [BEEP] TOAST. 773 00:37:51,680 --> 00:37:54,649 [SOLDIER]: WE NEEDED THAT, THOUGH. 774 00:37:54,683 --> 00:37:56,651 [NARRATOR]: THE ENEMY HAS RETREATED... 775 00:37:56,685 --> 00:37:59,220 BUT JUST FOR NOW. 776 00:37:59,253 --> 00:38:01,055 [CHICK]: RIGHT THERE. 777 00:38:01,089 --> 00:38:02,957 SITTIN' ON TOP OF THE DESERT. 778 00:38:02,991 --> 00:38:04,959 STARIN' AT US. 779 00:38:04,993 --> 00:38:07,161 JUST THAT LITTLE SPECK RIGHT THERE. 780 00:38:07,195 --> 00:38:08,830 THAT'S WHERE THEY'VE BEEN WATCHIN' US, TOO. 781 00:38:08,863 --> 00:38:13,067 [NARRATOR]: THE SOLDIERS ARE TRAINED NEVER TO GIVE IN. 782 00:38:13,101 --> 00:38:17,872 THEY NOW KNOW THE ENEMY WON'T, EITHER. 783 00:38:17,906 --> 00:38:19,774 [***] 784 00:38:25,847 --> 00:38:28,550 [NARRATOR]: FOR THE SOLDIERS OF MIKE COMPANY, 785 00:38:28,583 --> 00:38:31,252 IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG DEPLOYMENT. 786 00:38:34,523 --> 00:38:36,491 THE TALIBAN HAS LAUNCHED 787 00:38:36,525 --> 00:38:38,660 ITS FIERCEST WINTER OFFENSIVE EVER. 788 00:38:38,693 --> 00:38:41,496 THE SOLDIERS OF 1-PLATOON 789 00:38:41,530 --> 00:38:43,532 HAVE HAD JUST A TASTE 790 00:38:43,565 --> 00:38:48,069 OF THE INSURGENTS' AGGRESSION AND RUTHLESSNESS. 791 00:38:48,102 --> 00:38:50,739 MONTHS OF TRAINING IN NORTH AMERICA 792 00:38:50,772 --> 00:38:52,407 MADE THEM CONFIDENT 793 00:38:52,441 --> 00:38:56,645 THAT THEY COULD TAKE ON ANYONE AND WIN... 794 00:38:56,678 --> 00:38:58,447 [***] 795 00:38:58,480 --> 00:38:59,781 RIGHT SIDE! RIGHT SIDE! 796 00:39:00,615 --> 00:39:01,883 MOVE UP! 797 00:39:01,916 --> 00:39:04,486 IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE REGIMENT. 798 00:39:04,519 --> 00:39:06,387 [NARRATOR]: ...BUT THERE'S A LESSON 799 00:39:06,421 --> 00:39:08,523 THAT TRAINING CAN'T TEACH-- 800 00:39:08,557 --> 00:39:10,925 HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF 801 00:39:10,959 --> 00:39:13,061 FOR THAT FIRST TIME ON ENEMY TURF 802 00:39:13,094 --> 00:39:15,730 WHEN YOU KNOW YOU'RE BEING WATCHED. 803 00:39:15,764 --> 00:39:16,931 THE FIRST TIME 804 00:39:16,965 --> 00:39:18,500 I STEPPED ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE WIRE, 805 00:39:18,533 --> 00:39:20,602 I WAS WALKING ON EGGSHELLS. 806 00:39:20,635 --> 00:39:23,505 I WAS REALLY TENTATIVE ABOUT MY STEPS, 807 00:39:23,538 --> 00:39:26,240 THINKING EVERY STEP'S GOING TO BE "BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!" 808 00:39:26,274 --> 00:39:28,443 BUT I JUST OVERANALYZED IT. 809 00:39:28,477 --> 00:39:30,845 [NARRATOR]: FOR SOME, THE MOMENT OF TRUTH CAME 810 00:39:30,879 --> 00:39:33,515 ON THAT FIRST FOOT PATROL. 811 00:39:33,548 --> 00:39:36,384 WHEN WE LEFT THE GATE THERE, LEAVING THE WIRE, 812 00:39:36,417 --> 00:39:38,753 AND AS SOON AS WE WERE OUT OF RANGE, 813 00:39:38,787 --> 00:39:40,989 I COULDN'T SEE THE HILLTOP ANYMORE. 814 00:39:41,022 --> 00:39:42,557 IT KIND OF CLICKED IN MY HEAD, 815 00:39:42,591 --> 00:39:45,359 "ALL RIGHT, WE'RE OUT HERE, JUST OUR PLATOON. 816 00:39:45,393 --> 00:39:49,063 JUST THE GUYS I TRAINED WITH FOR A YEAR AND A HALF." 817 00:39:49,097 --> 00:39:52,000 I'M, LIKE, "TAKE A SHOT AT ME, LET'S SEE WHAT YOU GOT." 818 00:39:52,033 --> 00:39:55,369 [NARRATOR]: CORPORAL MIRANDA RECALLS HOW HE FELT 819 00:39:55,403 --> 00:40:00,441 AS THE PLATOON GEARED UP FOR ITS FIRST CONFRONTATION. 820 00:40:00,475 --> 00:40:03,177 WHEN WE FIRST GOT OUT OF THE LAV THERE, 821 00:40:03,211 --> 00:40:04,579 RIGHT NEXT TO THE VILLAGE, 822 00:40:04,613 --> 00:40:06,581 "THIS IS IT," YOU KNOW? THE REAL THING. 823 00:40:06,615 --> 00:40:10,118 WE'RE ENTERING TALIBAN TERRITORY. 824 00:40:10,151 --> 00:40:12,220 OF COURSE, MAN, YOU'RE GOING TO GET NERVOUS. 825 00:40:12,253 --> 00:40:14,322 YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, 826 00:40:14,355 --> 00:40:16,925 YOU DON'T KNOW HOW THE DAY IS GOING TO END. 827 00:40:16,958 --> 00:40:18,426 [NARRATOR]: PRIVATE JEREMY HILLSON'S 828 00:40:18,459 --> 00:40:21,763 VIEW OF THE WORLD CHANGED IN AN INSTANT. 829 00:40:21,796 --> 00:40:23,297 [ROCKET WHISTLES OVERHEAD] 830 00:40:23,331 --> 00:40:25,066 SHIT! 831 00:40:25,099 --> 00:40:27,068 [FIRING OPENS] 832 00:40:27,101 --> 00:40:29,137 [NARRATOR]: THAT ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE 833 00:40:29,170 --> 00:40:32,006 WHIZZED RIGHT OVER HIS HEAD. 834 00:40:32,040 --> 00:40:33,341 WE WERE IN POSITION 835 00:40:33,374 --> 00:40:35,176 THEN YOU COULD JUST HEAR THE R.P.G. GET FIRED. 836 00:40:35,209 --> 00:40:37,478 [***] 837 00:40:37,512 --> 00:40:39,514 AT THAT POINT, IT WAS JUST THAT [BEEP]... 838 00:40:39,548 --> 00:40:43,017 LIKE, "WE'RE IN CONTACT NOW!" 839 00:40:43,051 --> 00:40:44,285 [NARRATOR]: THE LIVE ROUND 840 00:40:44,318 --> 00:40:47,388 LANDED IN HILLSON'S COMFORT ZONE... 841 00:40:47,421 --> 00:40:49,858 AND SHATTERED IT FOR GOOD. 842 00:40:49,891 --> 00:40:50,992 [HILLSON]: IT'S CHANGED ME 843 00:40:51,025 --> 00:40:53,895 AS FAR AS MY ATTITUDE TOWARDS SECURITY 844 00:40:53,928 --> 00:40:55,429 AND DOING MY JOB. 845 00:40:55,463 --> 00:40:56,965 BEFORE, IT WAS "DOING MY JOB." 846 00:40:56,998 --> 00:40:59,200 NOW IT'S KIND OF A SURVIVAL THING, 847 00:40:59,233 --> 00:41:00,501 AND YOU KIND OF 848 00:41:00,535 --> 00:41:03,938 HAVE TO TAKE YOUR PREPAREDNESS TO DO THE JOB 849 00:41:03,972 --> 00:41:06,040 AND TURN IT UP A COUPLE OF NOTCHES 850 00:41:06,074 --> 00:41:08,042 SO THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO GO HOME 851 00:41:08,076 --> 00:41:10,779 AT THE END OF THE TOUR. 852 00:41:10,812 --> 00:41:13,548 [NARRATOR]: IN TRAINING BATTLES BACK HOME, 853 00:41:13,582 --> 00:41:15,917 THEY WERE TESTED AGAINST THE MOST SKILLFUL OPPONENTS-- 854 00:41:20,889 --> 00:41:23,892 ...BUT ONE THING ROOKIES CAN'T BE SURE OF-- 855 00:41:23,925 --> 00:41:28,229 WILL THEY BE ABLE TO PULL THE TRIGGER HERE? 856 00:41:29,698 --> 00:41:33,101 WHAT THEY'VE SEEN SINCE THEY GOT TO AFGHANISTAN 857 00:41:33,134 --> 00:41:35,036 HAS CONVINCED THEM THEY CAN. 858 00:41:35,069 --> 00:41:37,872 THESE GUYS WANT US DEAD SO BADLY 859 00:41:37,906 --> 00:41:40,675 THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO DROP MORTAR BOMBS ON US 860 00:41:40,709 --> 00:41:42,744 WHEN THERE ARE WOMEN AND CHILDREN KICKING AROUND, 861 00:41:42,777 --> 00:41:45,980 AND THAT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME. 862 00:41:46,014 --> 00:41:48,750 I HAVE GOT NO PROBLEM WITH GOING AFTER THEM. 863 00:41:48,783 --> 00:41:50,719 I... YOU KNOW, I USED TO THINK, WELL, YOU KNOW, 864 00:41:50,752 --> 00:41:53,087 NO ONE REALLY WANTS TO KILL ANYONE. 865 00:41:53,121 --> 00:41:54,923 WE DON'T WANT TO KILL PEOPLE, 866 00:41:54,956 --> 00:41:56,725 WE'RE JUST PREPARED TO DO IT IF IT HAPPENS, 867 00:41:56,758 --> 00:42:00,028 BUT NOW, I THINK, YOU KNOW, YEAH, WE ARE LOOKING FOR IT. 868 00:42:00,061 --> 00:42:01,462 AND YOU KNOW WHAT? 869 00:42:01,495 --> 00:42:03,932 THESE ARE BAD PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO KILL US, 870 00:42:03,965 --> 00:42:07,268 AND, UH, THEY'RE MESSING UP THEIR OWN CIVILIANS. 871 00:42:07,301 --> 00:42:08,903 THIS HAS GOT TO STOP. 872 00:42:08,937 --> 00:42:10,471 [NARRATOR]: OF ALL THE SOLDIERS, 873 00:42:10,504 --> 00:42:13,742 IT'S THE PLATOON'S COMMANDER WHO'S CHANGED THE MOST... 874 00:42:13,775 --> 00:42:17,178 FROM A PROMISING BUT INEXPERIENCED YOUNG OFFICER 875 00:42:17,211 --> 00:42:20,815 TO A LEADER HIS SOLDIERS RESPECT. 876 00:42:20,849 --> 00:42:22,550 I THINK THE FIRST DAY I SHOWED UP AT THE PLATOON, 877 00:42:22,583 --> 00:42:24,185 YEAH, I WAS A BIT OF A DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS. 878 00:42:24,218 --> 00:42:26,688 LIKE, "OKAY, THIS IS REALLY IT." 879 00:42:26,721 --> 00:42:28,723 [***] 880 00:42:28,757 --> 00:42:30,859 ATTENTION! 881 00:42:31,826 --> 00:42:33,494 "THESE ARE REAL SOLDIERS, 882 00:42:33,527 --> 00:42:35,063 THEY'RE TRAINED, 883 00:42:35,096 --> 00:42:37,131 AND WE CAN ACTUALLY GO OUT AND START DOING STUFF," 884 00:42:37,165 --> 00:42:38,633 AND IT WAS A GREAT FEELING. 885 00:42:38,667 --> 00:42:39,834 HE WAS REALLY SHY. 886 00:42:39,868 --> 00:42:41,636 [CHUCKLES]: IT WAS KIND OF FUNNY. 887 00:42:41,670 --> 00:42:43,905 OH! SORRY, SIR! 888 00:42:43,938 --> 00:42:45,173 [LAUGHTER] 889 00:42:45,206 --> 00:42:46,841 WE WOULD POKE JOKES AT HIM AND EVERYTHING, 890 00:42:46,875 --> 00:42:49,277 AND HE WOULD, UH, YOU KNOW, TAKE IT... 891 00:42:49,310 --> 00:42:50,979 AND, NOW... 892 00:42:51,012 --> 00:42:53,047 HE'S ONE OF US. 893 00:42:53,081 --> 00:42:56,050 [GRAVEL CRUNCHING] 894 00:42:56,084 --> 00:42:57,819 AND... 895 00:42:59,954 --> 00:43:02,423 [LAUGHING] 896 00:43:02,456 --> 00:43:06,227 HE'S DASHING OUT THE JOKES, AND WE'RE TAKING IT! 897 00:43:07,662 --> 00:43:09,063 [STARTS LAUGHING] 898 00:43:09,097 --> 00:43:11,332 HE'S A GOOD CAPTAIN, HE'S AN AWESOME LEADER. 899 00:43:11,365 --> 00:43:14,703 I TRUST HIM WITH MY LIFE, FOR SURE. YEAH. 900 00:43:14,736 --> 00:43:18,606 [NARRATOR]: WARRANT OFFICER BRUCE RHODENIZER 901 00:43:18,639 --> 00:43:21,009 SPENT MONTHS SHOWING THE ROOKIES THE ROPES. 902 00:43:21,042 --> 00:43:23,544 YOU NEED A HELMET ON YOUR [BEEP] HEADS! 903 00:43:23,577 --> 00:43:24,946 GET IT ON! 904 00:43:24,979 --> 00:43:28,582 [NARRATOR]: IN AFGHANISTAN, RHODIE STEPPED BACK A BIT 905 00:43:28,616 --> 00:43:31,753 TO LET THEM HIT THEIR OWN STRIDE. 906 00:43:31,786 --> 00:43:36,490 IT'LL HELP TOUGHEN THEM FOR THE BATTLES AHEAD. 907 00:43:36,524 --> 00:43:38,059 EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE OPERATIONAL NOW, 908 00:43:38,092 --> 00:43:39,560 I SAID, YES, THEY COULD GET HIT IN A TIC, 909 00:43:39,593 --> 00:43:41,229 THEY COULD GET AMBUSHED, COULD GET ROCKETED, 910 00:43:41,262 --> 00:43:43,164 THEY COULD GET GRENADE-BLOWN TO [BEEP]. 911 00:43:43,197 --> 00:43:45,066 WE COULD LOSE HALF A PATROL. 912 00:43:45,099 --> 00:43:47,568 [NARRATOR]: NOBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT BETTER 913 00:43:47,601 --> 00:43:50,772 THAN THE MAN WHO'S SUCCESSFULLY LED THE ENTIRE COMPANY 914 00:43:50,805 --> 00:43:53,875 THROUGH ITS FIRST WEEKS OF COMBAT. 915 00:43:53,908 --> 00:43:57,211 THIS IS A TRICKY WAR... THIS IS A TRICKY WAR, 916 00:43:57,245 --> 00:43:58,479 BUT I THINK, AGAIN, 917 00:43:58,512 --> 00:44:00,348 IF WE LOOK AT BEING HONEST WITH OURSELVES, 918 00:44:00,381 --> 00:44:01,649 AND HONEST WITH THE PUBLIC, 919 00:44:01,682 --> 00:44:03,517 SOLDIERS ARE MEANT TO FIGHT WARS, 920 00:44:03,551 --> 00:44:04,652 AND WARS ARE MEANT TO BE WON, 921 00:44:04,685 --> 00:44:05,987 SO WHILE WE'RE HERE, 922 00:44:06,020 --> 00:44:08,723 THAT'S GOT TO BE OUR FOCUS, IS TO WIN THE WAR. 923 00:44:08,757 --> 00:44:10,391 AND, THESE SOLDIERS, YOU CAN SEE IT IN THEIR EYES 924 00:44:10,424 --> 00:44:11,692 WHEN WE ROLL OUTSIDE THE WIRE, 925 00:44:11,726 --> 00:44:12,994 THAT'S WHY THEY'RE HERE-- 926 00:44:13,027 --> 00:44:16,097 THEY WANT TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY, AND THAT'S GREAT. 927 00:44:16,130 --> 00:44:17,999 THAT MEANS THAT OUR TRAINING IS VALIDATED. 928 00:44:18,032 --> 00:44:20,201 [NARRATOR]: THEIR TRAINING 929 00:44:20,234 --> 00:44:23,637 IS QUICKLY TURNING INTO EXPERIENCE. 930 00:44:23,671 --> 00:44:25,473 IN ONE 31-HOUR PERIOD, 931 00:44:25,506 --> 00:44:30,511 THE PLATOON WILL SURVIVE FOUR FIREFIGHTS IN A ROW. 932 00:44:30,544 --> 00:44:33,681 THE ROOKIES' INITIATION IS OVER, 933 00:44:33,714 --> 00:44:36,017 BUT IN THIS DIRTY DESERT WAR, 934 00:44:36,050 --> 00:44:39,120 THE ENEMY WILL CONTINUE TO TEST THEM 935 00:44:39,153 --> 00:44:41,790 EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. 936 00:44:41,823 --> 00:44:44,692 [***]