(US) NBC Sunday June 11 7pm, "rescue on Robert's ridge, op Anaconda 2 hour special

[moughoun]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13154750/


look's interesting, if someone could save and upload it, I'm sure it would be appriciated:)


In March 2002, during a battle called Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan, a Navy Seal named Neil Roberts fell from a helicopter as it attempted to land on a mountaintop controlled by al Qaeda fighters. "Rescue On Roberts Ridge" is the untold story of the soldiers who were sent in to find Roberts and bring him home. Reported by "Dateline NBC's" Stone Phillips, the special two-hour broadcast, airing on June 11th (7:00 PM, ET), presents a minute-by-minute account of what those soldiers faced when their own chopper was shot down. For the first time on television, viewers will be able to watch, just as the U.S. commanders did that day, spy plane footage of the downed chopper as the enemy closed in.

Phillips interviews many of the soldiers, from the ground troops who describe the extremely difficult fighting conditions to the general in command who acknowledges the flawed plans and failed communications that led to the events on Roberts Ridge. The story focuses on Ranger Captain Nathan Self, whose courage under fire earned him a Silver Star, and on one of his men, Specialist Oscar Escano, who recalls how he lived his life that day in fifteen second intervals, the time it took enemy fighters to reload, aim and fire their mortars.

A heavy price was paid on that remote mountaintop, but the U.S. soldiers' pledge to never leave a fallen comrad was never in question. The performance of these men, most of whom had never been in combat before, was truly remarkable. The "Dateline" report also tells the story of families back home who reached out with prayers for all of the soldiers, and whose love has helped to heal the psychological scars of war.

[Irish]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13154750/


look's interesting, if someone could save and upload it, I'm sure it would be appriciated:)

I really like to take a look at that..I read the book,alot of good soldiers died that day..very sad.

[abncougar]

I really like to take a look at that..I read the book,alot of good soldiers died that day..very sad.


and airmen too. RIP Jason Cunningham. Seems that everyone always remembers the SEALs names and the Rangers names, but not the men who live by the motto "that others may live".

[Irish]

and airmen too. RIP Jason Cunningham. Seems that everyone always remembers the SEALs names and the Rangers names, but not the men who live by the motto "that others may live".

I said Soldiers meaning, EVERYONE on that hill buddy,not just the SEALs and RANGERS.
As I said, I've read the book.If you are offended,Im sorry but I didn't differentiate between the branches of your Armed Forces.

When I said Soldiers I meant everyone.

[SuicideSteve]

I said Soldiers meaning, EVERYONE on that hill buddy,not just the SEALs and RANGERS.
As I said, I've read the book.

If you are talking about the book "Not a good day to die" I've also read it and its very good and detailed anyone interested should look into it.

[Beckett]

ya i liked that one better then roberts ridge.

[Irish]

If you are talking about the book "Not a good day to die" I've also read it and its very good and detailed anyone interested should look into it.




And the Warriors that never made it off the Ridge that Day..RIP
http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6897/robertsridge2copy6sp.jpg
http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/4420/robertsridgecopy4fc.jpg
http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/3407/robertsrigcopy9jt.jpg
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2281/robsriggcopy6er.jpg
http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/4250/sealscopy0tb.jpg

[Beckett]

not a good day to die was way way more in depth, no taking anything away from roberts ridge it was a solid read as well. there was a few more then 5 guys that didnt make it off that ridge.

[Dronetek]

Thanks for the heads up! I'll be checking it out.

[PeaceWithMyPiece]

I would love to see the predator footage of 'Robert's Ridge' & 'Hell's Halfpipe' in the Shai Kot Valley. That would be truly fascinating!!!

NBC might put a snippet of the report up on their site, but the full version should definately be uploaded :)

[SAPPEROIF]

Thanks man, definitely watching that one. Had a friend in my WOCS class who was a crew chief on board one of the MH-47's that..he lost a lot of good friends.

Oh and damn man, out with it already Mou....where does that avatar come from, lol..

[abncougar]

just saw an in depth preview on dateline this evening, i was getting chocked up in some of the interviews. looks ****ing intense. i need to pick up those books too.

[abncougar]

I said Soldiers meaning, EVERYONE on that hill buddy,not just the SEALs and RANGERS.
As I said, I've read the book.If you are offended,Im sorry but I didn't differentiate between the branches of your Armed Forces.

When I said Soldiers I meant everyone.

no prob, i understand man, i figured you meant everyone. i needed to drop a line in there about the AF. some people don't understand that they do more than fly planes and desks.

[Irish]

not a good day to die was way way more in depth, no taking anything away from roberts ridge it was a solid read as well. there was a few more then 5 guys that didnt make it off that ridge.

My internet went down last night for a while,which is why i didn't post the other two pictures..sorted now.

[Ballistic]

Marines of Lima Company doco and now this. I hope it keeps coming. Good stuff.

[Vince3d]

I definitely hope someone will torrent it. Maybe some footage will help determine whereas Chapman was still alive in the bunker a few minutes before Razor 04 landed or if the Al Qaeda fighters fought each other by mistake.

[Baboonass]

If you are talking about the book "Not a good day to die" I've also read it and its very good and detailed anyone interested should look into it.

I wouldn't put much stock in this book.

There are a lot of inaccuracies, not to mention the other BS.

[Whisper_44]

I wouldn't put much stock in this book.

There are a lot of inaccuracies, not to mention the other BS.

Yep, I was going to ad the same thing, Naylor has lost quite a bit of credibility. ask Match he'll tell you.

[Beckett]

you mean the parts about how everyone hated the SEALs and how they kept pussin out on missions. Ya that guy really didnt care for the teams much.

[Vince3d]

It seems to me Naylor had a close personal relationship with Blaber from Delta in the field from which great admiration is born, but few with the Seal operators like Hyder and therefore he collected informations from external sources about Seals' previous operations and people. Anyway I found too that the "Delta = good, Seal = crap" side of his book was a little "too much".

[S-*]

I wouldn't put much stock in this book.

There are a lot of inaccuracies, not to mention the other BS.

I was about to say the same thing.

[Sand Man]

I was about to say the same thing.

I was just wondering --- since there are authors who try to write books about events/units that most of us back here will never get to know, is there a way for these authors to verify their information?

I mean this is about the nth book I read in this site that is mentioned that talks about Delta or SEALs that you guys say has a lot of BS... What I mean is, if these authors came to you would you have given them the right information or directed them to someone who can straighten their stories?

[BMF_EOD]

I would have to say the vast majority of the operators shy away from any writer, reporter or photographer. Trying to "set a story strait" rarely comes out accurate in the end. There is nothing to be gained so why let them into your world?

[JMooch]

"What I mean is, if these authors came to you would you have given them the right information or directed them to someone who can straighten their stories?"

No you wouldn't. For several reasons.
1. OPSEC
2. PERSEC
3. Non-disclosure agreement
4. Protection of tactics, techniques and procedures.

Nuff said.
S/F
Mooch

[Baboonass]

Obviously I can't get into specifics, and this is one of those, "trust me, I know" kinda deals.

I was privy to the official SOCOM report and AAR from this action. My former boss was the CMC of TF-KBAR Special Activities.

To say that "everyone hated the SEALs" or that they "Pussed out on missions" is about the polar opposite of the truth.

The only missions the public really hears about are when things go wrong, rarely do we ever hear when things go smoothly. The SEAL Teams still have the top number of high profile personal snatches in this theater and in Iraq. Not to mention, (and I can't) an entire plethora of other sucessfull missions of other priorities and importance.

There is a culture with writers, especially some former Army types to stir contriversy to sell their product. Robin Moore was another asshat who wrote a book of crap with simular overtones. Some (and I mean some, not all, nor am I generalizing the Army) Army types have a pre-concieved impression about the SEAL teams and spread bad rumors like it was gospal even though they themselves had never actually worked with them. I run across this a lot. I mostly laugh it off as it really carries no weight or importance, but false rumors have a funny way of becoming fact (precieved fact) if left unchecked.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but them I may be getting into information that hasn't been de-classed. Better to err on the side of caution.


Take it for what it is worth and draw your own conclusions. The facts will eventually come out and you can read it for yourself.

[AlphaOneSix]

For what it's worth, my best friend just got back from 2 months in Shkin where he worked/lived around the Blue guys, and he seems to have really taken a shine to them.

[Irish]

Take it for what it is worth and draw your own conclusions. The facts will eventually come out and you can read it for yourself.

And it will prove them guys did their job to the best of their ability.

[Sand Man]

Obviously I can't get into specifics, and this is one of those, "trust me, I know" kinda deals.

I was privy to the official SOCOM report and AAR from this action. My former boss was the CMC of TF-KBAR Special Activities.

To say that "everyone hated the SEALs" or that they "Pussed out on missions" is about the polar opposite of the truth.

The only missions the public really hears about are when things go wrong, rarely do we ever hear when things go smoothly. The SEAL Teams still have the top number of high profile personal snatches in this theater and in Iraq. Not to mention, (and I can't) an entire plethora of other sucessfull missions of other priorities and importance.

There is a culture with writers, especially some former Army types to stir contriversy to sell their product. Robin Moore was another asshat who wrote a book of crap with simular overtones. Some (and I mean some, not all, nor am I generalizing the Army) Army types have a pre-concieved impression about the SEAL teams and spread bad rumors like it was gospal even though they themselves had never actually worked with them. I run across this a lot. I mostly laugh it off as it really carries no weight or importance, but false rumors have a funny way of becoming fact (precieved fact) if left unchecked.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but them I may be getting into information that hasn't been de-classed. Better to err on the side of caution.


Take it for what it is worth and draw your own conclusions. The facts will eventually come out and you can read it for yourself.

Sounds like the whole world is missing out on the REALLY fun stuff ...

[Sand Man]

"What I mean is, if these authors came to you would you have given them the right information or directed them to someone who can straighten their stories?"

No you wouldn't. For several reasons.
1. OPSEC
2. PERSEC
3. Non-disclosure agreement
4. Protection of tactics, techniques and procedures.

Nuff said.
S/F
Mooch

Yup. But I was pertaining to the way Marcincko did on his first few books -- like giving the characters/operators' nick names or something.

The author could probably interview an operator who was actually there, get his facts straight and all, then leave out the need-to-know stuff and just tell what he can. That would be a fun read.

But then again, not all authors have Marcincko's unique gift of profanities and story-telling. :)

[JMooch]

"then leave out the need-to-know stuff"

As far as I'm concerned that's almost everything. Do you think that because someone's name gets changed that all of the important info is rendered irrelevant? I'm sorry, releasing info to the public so we can stoke the public support fires (which as far as I'm concerned should be unconditional for the military) or Hollywood's/writers creative fires is not an option. I don't care if the public ever knows anything about what we do, what wear, what we shoot or who we shot. This is a dangerous business and the more info we release makes it that much more dangerous for those who go in harms way.

I'll put it to you this way.
Writer A writes his book on SEAL ops in A-stan.
Writer B writes his book on SF ops in Iraq.
Writer C writes his book on CJSOTF.
Writer D writes his book on SF in Iraq.
Do you think that anyone that would target US/SOF forces would pick up these books?
Do you think that that person/group would be smart enough to look for common threads/tactics/etc in those books and put two and two together?
Do you think that operational info could then be used against our SOF guys?

You ask what the harm is in releasing info if we change names. Think about what the harm is now that the bad guys have a pretty good idea how our guys operate.
S/F
Mooch

[Baboonass]

Yup. But I was pertaining to the way Marcincko did on his first few books -- like giving the characters/operators' nick names or something.

The author could probably interview an operator who was actually there, get his facts straight and all, then leave out the need-to-know stuff and just tell what he can. That would be a fun read.

But then again, not all authors have Marcincko's unique gift of profanities and story-telling. :)


The OPSEC violations of Marchinko's books have been detrimental to the SEAL Teams. New procedures have been put in place to prevent this from ever happening again without legal reprecussions.

Marchinko isn't a well liked persona in the NSW community. I don't think he cares much as he got very rich off of it. Too bad for us though.

10%

[Sand Man]

I don't care if the public ever knows anything about what we do, what wear, what we shoot or who we shot. This is a dangerous business and the more info we release makes it that much more dangerous for those who go in harms way

Okay, from this reply I am assuming you are still currently in the business so I'll be clear:

- Tactics you guys use IS part of the "need-to-know" stuff that I meant that we can leave out.

- You obviously have not read any of Cmdr. Marcincko's books so you wouldn't have any idea how he left out sensitive info but still managed to make the story entertaining and made it seem like the real thing at the same time. Even the mundane things like not forgetting to breathe during CQC comes out funny but is really a serious thing.

- I'm all about author's interviewing the wrong guy and bringing that guy's sentiments to the book. That'd give the operators a bad image and blow a small issue out of proportion. Then you guys who really know the whole story would just want to kick the crap out of the author for publishing his book and giving your unit a bad rep.

- And lastly, although you don't care about what BS some ex-SF author writes because you may have been actually there when it happened and know some of the stories first hand, there are actually people like me who would love to know the story even if they were told in a slightly off-handed way. Probably, it's just for the sheer curiosity of wanting to know what it's like to be in the real thing when it goes down or how it's like with bullet whistling just inches past your head.

I know there are a lot of people who write crap in forums like this but you can chill out on this one. Relax. I was just trying to voice out an opinion.

[Sand Man]

The OPSEC violations of Marchinko's books have been detrimental to the SEAL Teams. New procedures have been put in place to prevent this from ever happening again without legal reprecussions.

Marchinko isn't a well liked persona in the NSW community. I don't think he cares much as he got very rich off of it. Too bad for us though.

10%

Yup. Rogue Warrior was quite loaded with "insights" into the kind of world you guys live in right now. Pretty amazing. That is why I am very proud to even be able to exchange opinions and thoughts with you guys.

But I think he (Marcincko) saw this, too, and toned down on the classified stuff in his succeeding books.

[JMooch]

Okay, from this reply I am assuming you are still currently in the business so I'll be clear:

- Tactics you guys use IS part of the "need-to-know" stuff that I meant that we can leave out.

Agreed.


- You obviously have not read any of Cmdr. Marcincko's books so you wouldn't have any idea how he left out sensitive info but still managed to make the story entertaining and made it seem like the real thing at the same time. Even the mundane things like not forgetting to breathe during CQC comes out funny but is really a serious thing.

I read his first book. I thought it was a shame that a first class operator had to go out like a third rate punk. I vowed never to read anymore of his **** and contribute to his retirement fund. It doesn't matter now as he has plenty of sheep waiting for his next bookfull of crap.


- I'm all about author's interviewing the wrong guy and bringing that guy's sentiments to the book. That'd give the operators a bad image and blow a small issue out of proportion. Then you guys who really know the whole story would just want to kick the crap out of the author for publishing his book and giving your unit a bad rep.

Trust me the last thing any of us have time for is to want to kick the crap out of an author. If an author wants to go the direct route, contact PAO and the operators are given permission to speak to him well then I have no issue with it. Read Roberts Ridge. MacPherson worked the system and turned out a very good book.


- And lastly, although you don't care about what BS some ex-SF author writes because you may have been actually there when it happened and know some of the stories first hand, there are actually people like me who would love to know the story even if they were told in a slightly off-handed way. Probably, it's just for the sheer curiosity of wanting to know what it's like to be in the real thing when it goes down or how it's like with bullet whistling just inches past your head.

I appreciate that a lot of people (yourself included) want to know about all the little dirty stuff people in the military do, but frankly I don't care. If you guys want to learn, join and get in the system. Until then learn to accept what's written and understand when we who serve call out someone's poorly researched work it's because we can because we either were there or are close to someone who was. Naylor did fine when he wrote about the conventional part of Anaconda. When he deviated and wrote about SOF (to which he had little access) is where he went south. The reason; DoD gave him carte blanche to interview the 10th Mtn, 101st, etc. They told him to pound sand when it came to SOF. Hence the product as you see it now.


I know there are a lot of people who write crap in forums like this but you can chill out on this one. Relax. I was just trying to voice out an opinion.

Thanks but don't be upset if I don't "chill out" or "relax" on your advice. You have every right to your opinion. I'm not saying you don't. I'm just trying to illuminate this for you a little better.
S/F
Mooch

[Vince3d]

Has anyone had the chance to watch the broadcast and if so, how was it?

[He219]

Has anyone had the chance to watch the broadcast and if so, how was it?
It was well done, especially the digital recreations and live Predator footages that showed muzzle flashes, muffled grenade explosions in the snow and RPGs whizzing by ...

Video Trailer (http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=968cc152-f1c3-4831-b9fb-bb5b5c3f9926&f=00&fg=copy)

More here (http://militaryphotos.net/forums//showthread.php?t=83306) (General Discussion section) including a transcript link ...

[Vince3d]

Thank you for the infos and links (the second one seems to be dead though). I hope someone will share a digital copy of the broadcast, the easiest way for us non-US residents to watch it.

[Sand Man]

Thanks but don't be upset if I don't "chill out" or "relax" on your advice. You have every right to your opinion. I'm not saying you don't. I'm just trying to illuminate this for you a little better.

Yup. This is noted. Thanks

[venom]

same here, Ihope a good qual torrent will pop up soonish

[SAPPEROIF]

Anyone find a DL link for it anywhere yet?

[HR24]

I TiVO'd the special and finally got around to watching it tonight. I thought it was fairly well done. After reading Naylor's book (which I thought was unfairly slanted against the SEALs) and seeing this, it definately leaves you wanting more info. In regards to Naylor's book, a couple of guys I know in the 16th SOS who have done their share of tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, were highly critical of it as well.

As far as the Dateline bit, you definately come away feeling proud of what those men did on the mountain. Tough to see the Captain having a tough time, but I hope he finds some peace. RIP to the guys we lost.

[zikaj]

I was trolling thru the channels on Sunday and saw a Chinook on a mountain top. Somehow knew what it was about, so I stopped. Glad I did. I wasn't expecting much- its NBC Dateline. But I was satisfied with content and the portrayal of those men. Here is my insight-

Spc. Marc Anderson was a friend of mine from college, and the news of his death was numbingly painful. Even now, it is a source of an occasional tearful moment; tears that come from the same spot in my body as those that come when I watch SavingPrivateRyan, We Were Soldiers, and Band of Brothers. It was an emotional hour watching Dateline, but like I said, I was glad to see stories had not changed.

We attended his funeral in FL and got to experience the honor of the Rangers and SpecOps. It was worth the 48 hours in the car a hundred times over. They closed the major traffic artery between Tampa and the Military Cemetary some 60 miles away. Flags and banners draped the bridges and people stopped in the opposite lanes to stand and salute as we passed. This was the first time in a long time so many had been killed in combat together, so it was national news for weeks. I bring this up just to say that I believe ALL of those who have been KIA deserve the same.

I inserted myself into the process of doing what we could to honor them, and in the process I learned about each individual man who was in the squad with Marc. Each is a story that humbles me. If I can live with half the honor these men died with, I believe I will have lived a successful life.

I spoke to Marc's brother (former Army demolitions expert) a few weeks after the funeral and he relayed to me the story of Marc's last moments. It was the stuff of Hollywood movie scripts or Greek tradgedy. And the story was unchanged in the Dateline story last Sunday. A few moments before they took fire, Marc looked to Capt.Self and gave a knowing look. Seconds before a round entered his chest above his body armor and killed him, he leaned forward and squeezed the shoulder of another, younger, soldier. He smiled at him and said "today, I feel like a Ranger."

[Ballistic]

Has anyone seen this for download on torrent yet ??

[kamarian]

Did they mention the SASR? I have read a few books and found that a few of the authors forget the Aussies played a big part in the operation.

[Ballistic]

Did they mention the SASR? I have read a few books and found that a few of the authors forget the Aussies played a big part in the operation.

Indeed, was thinking about that myself.

[Solidox]

so I emailed nbc and they told me i had to wait forever before they release the vid...

so if someone finds me a dl link, Ill find the drone footage...:)

[PeaceWithMyPiece]

Indeed, was thinking about that myself.

SASR directed CAS from their hideout and was part of the rescue operation. Probably against OPSEC and still classified for the most part.

[Vince3d]

so I emailed nbc and they told me i had to wait forever before they release the vid...

so if someone finds me a dl link, Ill find the drone footage...:) Absolutely right, they won't release it (many ppl in other forums have asked NBC too and the answer is always the same :-|), so the only solution for those who missed it or had no possibility watching it (foreigners like myself) the only solution is a direct dl link or a torrent. After many searches it seems to me it's unavailable through P2P at this moment too (I tried the mule and the azaa). Has anyone been able to find it?

[Tielir999]

I know this is an old thread but I just finished reading Roberts Ridge and was wondering if anyone ever found a torrent for this special

[Samurai]

Rescue on Roberts Ridge Is coming up today on Dateline NBC.

[Vince3d]

Rescue on Roberts Ridge Is coming up today on Dateline NBC.


Thanks for this information Samurai. So maybe there's still a chance for us non-US citizens to watch this broadcast soon *crossing my 20 fingers*.

[Alpha74]

Has anyone seen this for download on torrent yet ??

Anyone????

[w1ldcard]

been searchin high and low......still no torrent for this guys :-(

[number1max]

Greetings folks,

After reading the books "Not a Good Day To Die" and "Roberts Ridge" (both incredible stories of bravery, courage and sacrifice) I have also been searching hi and low for the NBC Dateline episode "Rescue on Roberts Ridge"

I'm pleased to be able to share with you the youtube links to this programe.

n.b. Audio quality is a bit average in places but still very watchable. It's in 12 parts of approx 10 mins per part. I personally find the best way to download and view is to use an app called Orbit Downloader which will save the flv file to your pc. Oncea ll parts are downloaded then use an app called Super (by erightsoft - its a freebee too!) to convert to AVI. And finally an app called Winavi to join the pieces all together to enable an uninterupted viewing of the program! - or you could just watch it online!

Anyway - you will find the youtube links at the following youtube user

Rescue on Roberts Ridge (http://www.youtube.com/user/bishopmatthew)

Or individual links to each part are

part 12 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrzocuXZGdc)
part 11 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th_7A5GM1DU)
part 10 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1mFj1WD9MI)
part 9b (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYGKulAhXAE)
part 9a (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDl0wDmFB4I)
part 8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbp3PrT19Uk)
part 7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7qzM68iP1A)
part 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGNzi9TTgxs)
part 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIFmhn-S-Sw)
part 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9ca6vwvb_w)
part 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWcR73fn4mE)
part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNA8SKUtCyc)
part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN9fkpiW33Y)


Hope you enjoy as I did.

"lest we forget"

[w1ldcard]

thanks for sharing it mate.

cheers!

[0497]

SASR directed CAS from their hideout and was part of the rescue operation. Probably against OPSEC and still classified for the most part.

When reading stuff on OP Anaconda, look out for Task Force 64 - that was the Aussie SF element.

[Solidox]

someone needs to tivo this the next time it comes on so we can all see it with the quality it deserves...

[trae328]

Just a head's up that Nate Self, who was featured in this Dateline special has written a book called Two Wars. It's a very powerful book and details this battle in an amazing way. He also discusses the second war that many soldiers are now fighting with PTSD.

Here is the (very good) book trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LH9eiT-0H8