Chosen Co 1st platoon here: July 3rd/4th. I was out at Bella during that time, it was incredibly unfortunate that the civilians were killed in the attack, there were two trucks driving on the road, one truck had a mortar tube in the back launching mortars at us, we didn't know that the second truck was civilians. the wake up call on July 13th is one that i'll never forget. SFC Stockard shouting throught the barracks "Get your shit on, get the trucks ready, and grab as much ammunitian as you can. 2nd platoon is being ambushed!" We had driven out to Wanat before and it took about an hour and a half with checking for IEDs, but that morning we flew out there with little regard for our own safety, all we could think about was getting out to 2nd platoon as fast as we could. The day and a half we spent out at Wanat was a blur, My squad was in the first two trucks, we dropped a few guys off at the TCP entering the base, and the rest of us pushed through to the North to begin the clearing operations of the buildings there. It was surreal after the battle had ended to think about what had happened and to mourn those we had lost. RIP Chosen Few.

The chain of command hung those guys out to die and they got away with it. They should be in prison

Is this the one where the military was found negligent so the brass relaunched another investigation and interviewed only certain leaders and ultimately blamed a dead soldier? Classic army

they lied about the situation but a dead man speaks no words

This was amazing to watch and learn from. I have never gotten a perspective like this before and was a big eye opener for me. Would like to see more of these and be apart of recreations. My heart goes out to the solider that had endure this.

Very well done. I had a friend at Ghazni with me, we returned home, he went back, ended up at Wanat. I mourn his sacrifice.

After watching 11 days and a wake up I can't stop thinking about this battle and those poor soldiers who were sent into a suicide mission 2 weeks before going home ..they were already burnt out they had been taking multiple contacts daily sometimes upto 11 times a day..they all knew before they left for wanat they were fucked and nobody was coming back...it should never of happened...the chosen few were heroes

My squad was suppose to go to perform the engineering side of building the base and my squad leader chickened out cause it was being talked about as a Purple Heart mission before any engineers went. We went as far as having our bags packed up geared up and on the flight line. We waited for long time and as the bird that we was suppose to get on to go to Wanat descended someone running the flight line pills my squad leader to the side and he comes to us minute later and yells for us to go back to the tent we weren’t going? A different squad from a different platoon was selected to go which my squad leader was ecstatic about but I was disappointed at the time being new hungry private. Couple days later we learned what happened. 2 soldiers from my company received Purple Heart and 3 with bronze stars with V device. Luckily we did not lose any engineers and hated to hear about the warriors from 173rd who was lost. In the 15 months I served in The Stan 173rd was by far the greatest unit we worked under. 1 of the Soldiers shot and wounded at Wanat returned to Afghanistan against medical advice in very short time after the casualty.

And another Kahler gives up his life for our country. RIP, cousin. We miss you.

The local who was loyal to the afghan government and snitched on the insirgents truely is a hero.

The 2LT (deceased) was largely blamed for this failure when it appears that senior officers should have been disciplined. If this is true, and as a retired Army officer, this makes me sicjk to my stomach. I cannot think of a worse reflection on my Army.

The Locals warned us that day that they were coming 30 groups of 5 spread out in 360 degrees so it was IMPOSSIBLE to counter. We put an FOB in the bottom of a fishbowl.

A whole army may become demoralized, and a general may lose heart. In the morning a soldier is full of fight, in the afternoon he is slowing down, and in the evening he thinks only of returning to camp. A skilled general will avoid the enemy when they are full of fight, and engage with them when their thoughts have turned to their beds. This is mastery of morale. He uses discipline in the face of disorder, and calmness to confront frenzy. This is mastery of emotion. To be close to the battlefield whilst the enemy is still far away, to be fresh and rested when the enemy is exhausted, to be well-fed when the enemy is hungry, this is mastery of the upper hand. Holding off from an enemy whose banners are well ordered, and not engaging with an army in tight formation, this is mastery of circumstance. Here are some of the basic principles of war: never attack uphill, nor defend downhill; do not be lured into attack by feigned flight, and do not attack an enemy who is rested and full of fight. Do not swallow the bait put out for you, and do not get in the way of an army that is homeward bound. When you surrounded an enemy, always leave them a way out, and do not press a corncered foe too hard. This is the art of waging war. -THR ART OF WAR BY SUN TZU....

I served in Afghanistan, back in 2010-2011. Our AO was just down the valley. We operated out of FOB Blessing and COP Michigan, in Pech river valley.

I am very upset that the KIA and WIA were not named. A very good friend was with Chosen Company, and has the massive scar and medals, from this battle. These soldiers deserve that. Brothers were killed and wounded.

Wow. Subscribed and looking forward to more. I never paid much attention to the conflict, but this makes it quite clear how difficult the situation is.

Amazing video and amazing attention to detail. I'm impressed with the amount of information given. Excellent work. The obvious conclusion is that when things go wrong just put the blame on those who were killed and use "shadows and mirrors" to hide the incompetence of the real culprits. May the brave men killed in action rest in peace.

Absolute cover-up of the Intelligence failure of major proportions. The reliance of all the vaunted drones failed to uncover the MASSIVE movement of Taliban forces into the area. If I had survived the attack, I would have been brought on charges after I killed the S2. The report also glossed over the almost complete lack of artillery support because it was "difficult" to shoot into a hole surrounded by mountains. One volley of ineffective 155 fire IS NOT fire support!!!! 2 bombs from an AF plane IS NOT fire support. The arrival of 2 Apaches almost an hour after the fight started IS NOT fire support. If all the leadership, who never showed up until too late, was concerned about how a 2LT was positioning his forces, why didn't put boots not the ground to help the platoon out. Cowards, all and worse, incompetent. There was NO engineer support contrary to the report that kept on stressing that there was. What a LIE! One bobcat is nothing! Part 1.

This was more enjoyable than any avengers movie

Initially I didn't think I was gonna watch a 30 min video lol but I did. Great job, great video!

Excellent video and over view of the battle.

PART 2. MY COMMENTS are truncated for reasons unknown to me. 2 Apaches arriving after almost an hour IS NOT fire support. Bottom line, the complete failure of the chain of command and their staffs is the ultimate reason for the sacrifice of a platoon of Airborne Troops. If I were the Company Commander, the Battalion Commander and the Brigade Commander as well as the S2s at all levels, I would put a gun in my mouth and fire for effect. Those guys are the epitome of the concept of mind over matter: The higher command doesn't mind, and the troops don't matter. What a complete whitewash of the Company Commander and above as far as fault. Although commanders they qualify as REMFs.

The graphics look like ArmA (the first one), but it's still a pretty good video showing of what happened. Most of the time for people who were never there, from what youtube footage we can see, it's long range suppressing fire between bases and mountain positions. This is probably the best example we're getting on KZfaq, aside from movies, of what happened during these instances of close combat battles.

Thanks for sharing this! Really instructive for any military! My most respect and gratitude for those involved in the fight.

this is better than a movie. Good breakdown of what happened.

Crazy.. I was a Marine in an ETT and spent almost my entire deployment at FOB Bella and left country about 6 months before this went down. Was a horrible area smack in the middle of the mountains and constantly exposed to rocket fire and many battles. RIP Bocks!

They were sent as bait .To see how many insurgents were in the area .This tactic happened alot in Vietnam

I loved the way the script and story board were styled like a report. No dressing it up, just packed with information. Thank you for your hard work on this, you got my sub!

This is amazing work, well done!

Long live the boys of Chosen Company...Rest In Peace to the men who bravely and valiantly fought and lost their lives. Thank you very, very much for your service.

During Basic we had a drill sergeant , DS Gillmore and he received the silver star from this ambush, after finding out the entire situation. It was a completely fucked story and could have been prevented. So many lives gone. RIP

I visited the 'fishbowl' one time on a supply run. Pucker factor was a 10 the entire trip up and back down. We all talked about it for weeks before it actually happened. Even the lowliest private could have taken a 10 second look and determined it was a killing zone.

This is a really well made recreation. Are there anymore videos done like this?

very interesting!!!! please do more of other infantry engagements

I think Lt Brostrom's father got it right when he said "no one had the balls to say don't do it." If they didn't have the troop strength or resources to protect these soldiers while they built the new base, they shouldn't have gone there in the first place. This video is bullshit and throws these soldiers to the wolves. It said that Chosen CO made wrong assumptions about the kind of attack that was coming and thus weren't prepared? They all seemed to know pretty damn well that they were getting handed a suicide mission where a large, coordinated attack was likely. Shoring them on things like Claymores, trip flares, concertina wire, appropriate machinery to construct defenses like 8 ft Hesco's, and WATER, was criminally negligent. Basically, four Humvees and a bunch of sandbags. Too many times we have seen investigations where the U.S. Army eats its young instead of holding higher-ups accountable. We see Army investigations where non-comms and Junior officers get hanged out to dry in business as usual fashion to avoid embarrassment or legal culpability for field grades and higher. It's a calculated, sickening, and demoralizing practice which needs to end. Honor to the dead hero's demands it.

20:03 My heart sank. :(

Great upload! Thx

it took me a while to realize that they literally just recreated the battle of wanat using the original arma. this is a lets play

Nothing like digging your own grave in 110F heat while the enemy is 50ft away having tea at the local coffee shop watching you. Sign me up , obvious genius' running this operation.

Part 3. Higher command doesn't mind and the troops didn't matter. The command structure above the platoon, despite them being Infantry (?), as a result of this whitewashed debacle are now the poster officers of REMFs. I can only hope eventually enough people could see that they were unworthy of command that they never commanded a unit again (but unfortunately, they had protectors, fellow REMFs so they are probably generals and colonels now.). For the soldiers at Wanat; "Let it be said, well done, be thou at peace".

Til Valhalla brothers.. They fought their a*s off for each other. These guys actually got to use a claymore too on a lighter note thats cool and rare these days.

This is very informative, does a reenactment like this exist for the Tongo Tongo ambush?

Principles of defence - Depth - There was a degree of depth as there were 2 positions, however it was woefully insufficient for the ground. All round defence - This was not achieved. 360 degree arcs were achieved, but large amounts of dead ground and insufficient cover meant the enemy had freedom of movement. Mutual support - The unit was isolated from other units which allowed large ingress/egress areas which in turn allowed the unit to be surrounded. Air support can only do so much. Reserves - There was no reserve force. The unit was isolated in insufficient numbers to have a reserve element. Offensive spirit - The unit was too small and focused on building the camp to have an in depth patrol plan, and could not dominate the surrounding area. Deception - The camp was overlooked by high ground. Locals had access and there was little that could be done to hide actions or intent. There were a number of other errors in the above but you get the point. Essentially there were significant failings in all aspects of the basic principles of defence. Most of these stem from position of the camp and limited numbers and resources which were outside of the control of the platoon commander. The base location is decided at strategic level. Resource allocation is at Bn level at a minimum. While the platoon commander has control over the OP site the company commander is supposed to exercise oversight and control, particularly as the senior guy on the ground is a young 2Lt. Using him as a scapegoat is a failure of integrity at all levels.

I highly advise you to watch "11 days and a wake up" if not done so already

Well done, very informative!

more of this and other stuff pls

A terrible feeling I wish upon no man, not even the enemey. This broke my heart ... Ssgt Dennis P K U.S Marines 0311 FALLUJAH VET

As a UAS operator overflying this very operation I can attest to accurate nature of this video.

Amazing how the story changes from this cya dept of the army version and the version of the guys who had to eat the sandwich. Pretty sure it's called spin. Thanks and condolences to the front line guys. Thoughts and prayers for the rear echelon.

The OP was never abandoned!

Was this made with arma 2 or something? The explosions and firearms, even down to the animations are the same.

This recreation is unintentionally hilarious. Not the actual context, but the recreation.

More more more more of these stuff please!!! Ty'

so so well done

great informational video

Such a shame our young men had to die defending a spot that just got thrown away. The enemy attacks to drive out US troops, US troops withdraw, insurgent mission successful

great stuff boys!

thank u I am from Korea army , this video so wonderful

Amazing job!👍🇺🇸

Excellent synopsis.

Fubar.... wasted our brave men and protected high leadership! Terrible loss and those that failed their men were protected to save their careers. Who side are the leadership on anyway!!! Sad...

Great AAR Reconstruction.

My condolences to the families families loved ones fellow servicemen.

Isn't this made with VBS2 or ArmA1?

Guerilla warfare is a nightmare, especially in these conditions, you are basically surrounded by hostiles, they litteraly studied the fortified position in details from a few meters away for days.

don't forget placing your base in a valley, below hostile terrain.

Well done sir.

class show thank you

General Petraeus really messed up in the investigation on this one. He should do a video on the barge matal battle next.

What is this recreated with?

If this is accurate, having played enemy for US forces in peace time, none of this comes as a surprise. Subscribed.

They guys done as best as they could against all the odds,it was the top brass who didn’t understand what they were sending them too

Anyone know what simulator was used to make this? Looks a lot like ARMA.

Great video

BS, for 2k i can get a drone with a go pro on it and see everything. Give the guys what they freaking need.......

Rule #1 Go to the house of the guy who runs the town, have tea with him and then pull out your plugger and mark the middle of his courtyard for targeting. The very first FM is that coord and immediate suppression. If not, well then you'll just suffer time and time again and people will die.

What happened to taking the high ground?

Stand To was something that wasn’t always done by some units in Nuristan for some reason 100% stand to was a must to have the ability to gain the initiative by fire superiority when attacked.

What is “AAF Estimate”?

The accuracy of a B1 to stop a convoy of troops is epic

Those that ordered and approved those low lying area fish bowl positions are the ones that should be used as a reference for change? Seems the disconnect between the REMFs and the grunt just gets us casualties and wounded. If Communication for the best info, to make the best decisions was done then that’s that. But if that wasn’t the case here? How was it addressed? And What was the result?

This was a very good video

so, wait.....what happened to the lone remaining soldier at OP Topside who scrounged the M240?

Its a shame with our huge Army and supply capacity these men where left out there with minimal support and placed in peril by their command choosing such as lame position. I am not talking about the company to platoon leaders, I am speaking of Col. Olstrom who decided this was a great place to build a base. The signs were all there that a attack was imminent and yet there was zero escalation of assets. The men at wan-at did not even have trip wire flares given to them to cover dead zones. This whole engagement was a disaster waiting to happen, as a disabled Vet myself I know how the Army will put soldiers through hell while the leaders sit in their little office like Caesar. The leaders should be out on the front every freaking day to observe and not micromanage, but fill in gaps that are so apparent a private could have seen them. Supply is the weakness and because they where shipping back I guarantee the bean counters stopped having a supply of accessory weapons, so they would be ready to leave . My heart breaks for these men and I am ashamed of the Army for whitewashing this incident to protect the officers and place blame on a dead Lt. Get off you asses Colonels and get out in the field but don't showboat , advise in private to the officers and help them have the tools they need. The mission had weak air support that took an hour to reach them, whatever happened to all hours air cover, it all comes down to the low deployment of assets to afghanistan. Pray for the soldiers still in harms way and lets hope the cadets and other officers get their act together so more don't die needlessly. I purposely lower cased the afghan names because I believe they are a bunch of back stabbing bastards and we should move the populations out of the valleys in force and place them away from the aaf. Who cares if they haven't changed to support us we need to crush the insurgents supply and method of hiding in plain site. The battle will always cause me to shed a tear for the men and their families thrown to the wolves.

Was this made with Arma 1?

I understand that the army investigation into this action blamed the platoon leader for the failings. He, of course, was dead and could not defend himself. There is a very comprehensive video on KZfaq regarding this action that contains many interviews with the survivors of Chosen Company and absolutely lays the blame higher up the command chain for placing these COPs in very vulnerable places.

Please make a Battle of Baghdad 2003 video recreation.

Hell yea my squad cleared the bazaar and hotel. Clearing rooms with an axe. Silvernale was a beast

This happened 2 months and 7 days after I enlisted in the army yet I had never heard about this, what happened to these soldiers is beyond fucked up and disgusting that the chain of command basically doomed them and they should of been held accountable

If you guys like these simulations you should play arma 3

The brass always finds a patsy

Talk about the COC, dropping the ball R.I.P. fellas

Did u make this with Arma 2?

Wanat was a battle that should never have happened. COP Kahler was a vehicle patrol base that was being set up during the RIP/TOA between the 173d and 1ID. Half of the 173d had already rotated out of country. The set up of a COP should have been left to the 1ID, after the 173d left, because they would have to defend it and they should be the ones to decide if the COP in the village would be part of their engagement plan. The 173d sending soldiers out to set up a vehicle patrol base (VPB) when they are literally days from going home, in a indefensible position, only to be handed over immediately to the inbound rotating unit (1ID) to complete building, thus taking the decision of setting up a COP from the the 1ID is absolutely ridiculous and makes no tactical sense. The 1ID should have been briefed on the plan and left to decide if it was something they wanted to pursue. The proof that it was all unnecessary for these soldiers rotating out is the fact that the VPB/COP was immediately abandoned. I was in JBAD working with the Afghan police at the time, and I can assure you that the 173d leadership was shit.

what was this made in?

Those guys should never been at least 45 minutes from their nearest backup. A Predator drone was also pulled away from Wanat shortly before the attack. A Predator drone they very badly needed. An hour to get any type of Apache support? Man an hour is a long time to be outnumbered 10 to 1 and fighting for your lives. As usual The high ranking General's like General Petraes blamed the Liutenant who did the best he could with a terrible location, rather than admit the Big Brass are the ones who screwed this up. Those men fought hard and are fallen heroes !! Betrayed by the Afghanistan people they are there to help. I'm glad we left Afghanistan, that country is hell on earth.

When the guys got moved to wanat just 2 weeks before the end of their tour...they were left out to dry...the bastards who even sent them there with little or no support even put the blame on the LT for the 9 KIA...the guys made the ultimate sacrifice...dead men can't talk!!! Ours not to reason why...ours but to do or die...god bless them all..from a friend 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

Did they use Arma to make this? Need more educational videos like this, those Machina ones are too dramatic, shaky and close up the whole time. This is more what I'm looking for on some WWII battles.

You seem to gloss over the fact that UAV coverage was withdrawn to cover a visit by Joint Chiefs staff. Also, the multiple warnings of impending attack were ignored. The Chosen Few were also left with little food or water and no resupply. The planned engineering support didn't show up. This was a screw up by command at the company level and up. From site selection, logistics and intel. Later, the Pentagon covered the butts of the officers by withdrawing letters of reprimand and placing blame on the dead platoon leader that heroically ran through withering fire to reach topside. Wanat resulted in multiple Silver Stars and one Medal of Honor. Those seem worth mentioning.

Great video, as a gamer I love this style of video.