I just came in from seeing the the film "Restrepo", and it hit me pretty close to my heart:
The Korengal valley in Afghanistan is located south of the Pech river in the Pech District of Kunar Province in northeastern Afghanistan. To the east is Asadabad, capital of Kunar Province, to the west is the Chapa Dara district, and to the south is the Chawkay district (Diwagal valley). In the south east there is Narang wa Badil district (Badeil Valley), and in the southwest Nurgal district (Mazar valley), which includes Shumast Aret.
Firebase Phoenix (now called Firebase Vimoto) was established in the village of Babeyal to act as a security buffer between the villagers and active anti-coalition militia (ACM) fighters in the valley. Firebase Phoenix was established in the Spring of 2007 by 2nd Platoon, A Company, 1-32d Infantry, 10th Mountain Division, while fighting waged in the villages and mountains. Medical aid was brought to the surrounding villages.
The Korengal Outpost was established at an abandoned lumber yard in April 2006 by Task Force Lava of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and subsequently transferred to Alpha Company, 1-32 Infantry, 10th Mountain Division. During 2007 and 2008, the valley has been the scene of fierce fighting between ISAF's Eastern Command consisting mostly of US forces; and ACM, notably the Taliban.
After years of sustained fighting and casualties with little evident progress, the US military closed Korengal Outpost on April 14, 2010. Forty-two American service men died fighting in the Korengal and hundreds were wounded, primarily between the years of 2006 and 2009. Many Afghan soldiers died there as well, in part because they had poorer equipment. The valley has been dubbed "The Valley of Death" by American forces.
Go see this film.
Don't ask me any questions.
Just go see it.
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