Page 16 - Observation Post News Today

On an observation post just outside. and we were conducting mainly kill capture operations against high value targets, al qaeda and taliban and vehicle interdictions as well. when he walked off the base we iven the intelligence we had a deserter we were going to get him back we stopped everything we were doing. the war stopped from very highest levels of special operations and we started hunting him. my team and i would say 20 operations trying to find this guy. we got so close to him at one poi...

Have been charged with desertion, and typically, it varies from branch to branch but typically people dont get hammered too awfully hard for desertion. the other charge misbehavior before the enemy, is so rare that in the time ive been involved with military justice, since 1969 i actually cant think of a case in which that was a charge. the other thing you should know chris -- >> let me stop you for a second. >> sure. >> what does that mean? what is misbehavior before the enemy? >> well, i can b...

But with incredible toughness and resolve, resubsequently took control of the observation post and returned fire on the enemy. as the enemy drew nearer, sergeant pitts threw grenades, holding them after the pin was pulled and the safety lever was released to allow a nearly immediate detonation on the hostile forces. unable to stand on his own and near death because of the severity of his wounds and blood loss, sergeant pitts continued to lay suppressive fire until a two-man reinforcement team ar...

In radio situation reports and conveyed information that the command post used to provide in direct fire support. sergeant pitts courage, steadfast commitment to the defense of his unit prevented the enemy from overrunning the observation post and capturing fallen american soldiers and ultimately prevented the enemy from gaining fortified positions on higher ground from which to attack wanat vehicle patrol base. sergeant ryan m. pitts extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the c...

Day when we see so much horror on battle fields around the world, i think its so timely to see this true tale of courage and valor by a u.s. army staff sergeant in eastern afghanistan. back in july of 2008. his unit had been in afghanistan already for 14 months, and they were about to go home. it was their last mission. they were moving positions when insurgents opened up on them. as you said a couple minutes ago, nine soldiers lost their lives by the time the battle was over. a couple dozen wou...

In radio situation reports and conveyed information that the command post use to provide indirect fire support. sergeant pitts courage, steadfast commitment to the defense of his unit, and ability to fight while seriously wounded prevented the enemy from overrunning the observation post and capturing american soldieso. sergeant ryan m. pitts, extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great c...

Incredible toughness and resolve he subsequently took control of the observation post and returned fire on the enemy. as the enemy drew near, sergeant pitts through grenades, holding them after the pin was pulled and the safety lever was released to allow a nearly immediate detonation on the hostile forces. unable to stand on his own and near death because of the severity of his wounds and blood loss, sergeant pits continued to lay oppressive fire until a two-man reinforcement team arrived. spor...

It is very unnerving to be prisoner. >> july 2009, a few short weeks after bergdahl went missing from his observation post in afghanistan. a video issued by the taliban, a proof of life video. showing bergdahl denouncing the war in afghanistan. >> since ive been here, ive seen how these people live and function, a very independent state and very independent people. >> when they do a video like this, this is also distributed within their own ranks showing, arent we great? arent we effective? >> t...

Freedom flanked by his parents, jannie and bob bergdahl. >> i want to say thank you to everyone who has supported bowe. hes had a wonderful team everywhere. we will continue to stay strong for bowe while he recovers. >> the seemingly happy end to a long, determined search for americas only known prisoner of war in afghanistan, a search that started five years before. >> well, i am scared. scared i wont be able to come home. it is very unnerving to be prisoner. >> july 2009, a few short weeks aft...

Wanted the best for him and for our country. >> why do you believe that? >> just from the preactions that he has done, that has come to my attention, as far as mailing off personal items that were, as we call, high dollar items, i.e., computer, stuff like that. the way he talked to his fellow soldiers as far as get lost in the mountains or wanting to walk to india, stuff like that, just make me believe that he didnt want anything to do with us anymore. >> as the former squad leader, what was it ...