The Most Challenging Start to a Platoon's Year in Afghanistan

November 04, 2020 01:09:25
The Most Challenging Start to a Platoon's Year in Afghanistan
The Spear
The Most Challenging Start to a Platoon's Year in Afghanistan

Nov 04 2020 | 01:09:25

/

Show Notes

In 2010, Maj. Tyson Walsh was a platoon leader on his first deployment. Just ten days after arriving in Afghanistan, the platoon suffered its first casualties when an IED—an improvised explosive device—killed one soldier and wounded another. Eight days later, the battalion chaplain visited the platoon's combat outpost to perform a prayer service for the soldier they had lost. Afterward, when he left, his vehicle also struck an IED, killing him and four other soldiers. It was only the beginning of a very difficult deployment, and led to leadership challenges Walsh would have to overcome.

Other Episodes

Episode

September 12, 2018 00:35:06
Episode Cover

A Platoon Leader's First Combat Missions

In 2003, Maj. (ret) John Spencer was a platoon leader in the 173rd Airborne. In this episode, he talks about the very first mission...

Listen

Episode

July 03, 2024 00:29:48
Episode Cover

Sadr City's Three-Block War

For Bill “Fenway” Wyman, Sadr City in 2004 was a strange mix of combat and humanitarian missions. Fenway, then an Army major, was servince...

Listen

Episode

April 27, 2022 00:50:59
Episode Cover

SAM Killer Above the No-Fly Zone

In 1998, retired US Air Force Colonel Mike "Starbaby" Pietrucha was an electronic warfare officer flying in an F-15E Strike Eagle, enforcing the northern...

Listen