Ambush in a Restive Valley

September 09, 2021 00:59:37
Ambush in a Restive Valley
The Spear
Ambush in a Restive Valley

Sep 09 2021 | 00:59:37

/

Show Notes

In this episode, host Tim Heck is joined by Lt. Col. Blake Schwartz. In 2009, Schwartz was a Special Forces team leader deployed in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. Enemy fighters in the Langar valley, a restive area astride a vital road network, were a particular target for Schwartz’s soldiers. Schwartz attempted three times to enter the valley with his forces. On his final attempt, while countering a Taliban ambush, he authorized the firing of a Hellfire missile from an orbiting MQ-1 Predator. The impact had unintended consequences for the mission and for Schwartz.

Other Episodes

Episode

July 05, 2017 00:37:32
Episode Cover

The Battle of Barg-e Matal

This is the first episode in MWI's new podcast, "The Spear," which is aimed at providing a window into the combat experience. In this...

Listen

Episode

June 07, 2023 00:58:14
Episode Cover

Battle of Barawala Kalay Valley

In 2010 Kevin Mott's unit arrived in Afghanistan's Kunar province for a deployment that would see months of hard fighting. At one point, he...

Listen

Episode 0

August 12, 2020 00:52:24
Episode Cover

An Infantry Company at War

In 2007, Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment deployed to the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan. Over their months in a combat zone,...

Listen