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Home » SOF News » SOFREP Exclusive: FBI’s HRT Kill New York Shooter

SOFREP Exclusive: FBI’s HRT Kill New York Shooter

by Iassen Donov · March 15, 2013 · Posted In: SOF News
cover
The gunman, Kurt Meyers

The gunman, Kurt Meyers

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The recent quadruple homicide in Herkimer, New York ended with the 64-year-old shooter, Kurt Meyers, dead at the hands of what media outlets are referring to a “SWAT” or “police tactical team.” It turns out the raid against Meyers in an abandoned bar was conducted by the assaulters from the FBIs Hostage Rescue Team, or simply HRT.

On Wednesday March 13th, Kurt Meyers set fire to his home and went on a random shooting spree that left four people dead and two others wounded. The wounded remain in critical condition. In the aftermath of the shooting, armed with the same shotgun he used to kill four people, Meyers barricaded himself in an abandoned bar in Herkimer called Glory Days. It was that same evening that a team from HRT was stood up to deploy on-site and assist in the developing situation. Seven men and one dog, who were all present in Alabama last month during the hostage rescue of a five-year-old kindergartner, loaded onto helicopters in Quantico, Virginia and flew North to Herkimer.

Two-year-old Ape. This was his second real-world mission.

Two-year-old Ape. This was his second real-world mission.

It was decided Thursday morning that the team from HRT would assault the building. Around 8:00 am, the breach was initiated and the team’s dog was the first through the door. Ape, a two year old Czech German Shepherd, had a camera attached to his body that was being monitored by the agents outside. The first shotgun blast from Meyers missed Ape and destroyed the camera. The second shot hit Ape in the chest, killing him instantly. Not seconds behind, the HRT assaulters stormed through the breach-point and immediately engaged and killed Kurt Meyers.

The FBI states that Ape possibly saved the lives of the first men through the door, as Meyers was hiding in wait with his shotgun trained on the entrance. The two shots he used to engage Ape would have certainly been used to engage the first man in the building.

Members of HRT (in Multicam), supported on the ground by local SWAT and state tactical teams.

Members of HRT (in Multicam), supported on the ground by local SWAT and state tactical teams.

(Image Credit: AP wireservices)

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ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

Follow up  in regards to Ape.

 
   Ape was returned to his home in Quantico, Va. He will be remembered in a service and his name will be added to a memorial wall.
   The steel coffin was donated by Matthews Casket Division in Whitesboro and delivered by Scott Hendrix, vice president of the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home in Ilion.
   It was the first time that Hendrix remembered getting a call for an animal’s coffin. Usually, he said owners are asking for urns or other memorials for their pets.
“The K-9 officers are revered in the same way that a human officer would be,” said Hendrix, also a firefighter in the village of Ilion.
   Officers would not leave the dog without placing him in a casket, which Nellis said speaks of their commitment to the K-9 unit.
“The compassion and commitment that the FBI agents showed, it was unbelievably touching,” she said.

JHR
JHR 5pts

@ArcticWarrior RIP APE. Godspeed to Sirius.

Abu Shane
Abu Shane 5pts

 @jbgleason  922 deals with the possession of firearms by a prohibited person.  I don't think the shooter was prohibited.  On the other hand the predicate act for the shooter to qualify for 924(c) would be murder-a state violation.   The statute doesn't read that it has to be a federal predicate act just one of violence that can be prosecuted in a court in the US.  Now why did HRT get involved-probably because of their specialized K-9 capability at the invitation of a local/state jurisdiction.  Could they have used 924(c)-sure.  Would they-probably not.  The FBI's not lacking for things to do and a local homicide (unless it has extenuating circumstances) is not something HRT gets involved in on a routine basis.  My point is there's a lot of case law that can answer peoples questions without resorting to spitballing conspiracy theories. 

 

jbgleason
jbgleason 5pts

@Abu Shane Boom. Knowledge. You are still wrong but you are getting warmer. The statute says a crime prosecutable in "a court of the United States" ( a Federal Court thus a federal predicate crime) not "a court in the United States". Anyway, even if you don't bother to figure out the predicate crime, I would wager you and those who read this are a bit smarter as to Con Law and Fed Jurisdiction. BY the way, WTF is up with you guys accusing anyone who dares to question authority of being a conspiracy theorist? I hope you aren't out arresting people and enforcing laws without thinking critically about laws and the Constitution. Cheers.

Switzerland
Switzerland 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Ah, the militarization of the Police.....

I am afraid these guys will have no problem shooting the general populace.

Iassen Donov
Iassen Donov 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @Switzerland HRT are almost all former veterans, many of which were in SOF units sacrificing for the "general populace". Tell me again what you do for this country 

Switzerland
Switzerland 5pts

 @Iassen Donov Oh I dont have a problem with who they are. I just dont like the militarization of the police. War is one thing, but shooting "suspects" is never good. As citizens we should all be judged by a jury of our peers, wether they are Military, bus drivers, or corporate executives. 

 

If you must know what I do for my country, I am in training to be a police officer myself. Unfortunately for me, my area its mostly "pro bono". Does that make it OK for me to have an opinion now?

JHR
JHR 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

@Switzerland @Iassen Donov Switzerland: Where I come from-If somebody shoots my dog-we shoot back. The man fired on the Law. The Law Fired Back.

meha727
meha727 5pts

@StormR   I am not the biggest fan of law enforcement, and that being said, you have totally hit the nail on the head here. He had every option to stand up and walk out peacefully, but he forfeited that right when as officers came in, he fired shots. He let the LEO's know, that he was not going down without a fight, and a fight he got. He had already murdered four individuals, and the LEO's were right to assume that he would be armed and dangerous - and he was BOTH armed AND dangerous. Again, I'm not a fan of cops, but I'm even LESS of a fan with nuts like these running loose on the streets. He did in FACT commit suicide by cop - and that speaks to more of what a gutless wuss he was.... Murdering innocent people was obviously acceptable behavior in his book, but answering to a jury of his peers, or having to serve time in prison, or face a death sentence, were apparently things he wasn't man enough to do. In this instance I must say good riddance, and thank you to the officers who responded, and thank you to Ape for his ultimate sacrifice. 

ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

This time it was an appropriate use by a group who are as highly trained as they come, in full view of the press. Nothing nefarious here. Just HRT and NYST SORT doing what they get paid to do, end a situation after alternative options have failed.

As for your point on the "street warrior" mentality, it is every Officers job to engage in community policing. If people have a problem then the Dept should at the least listen and try to have a dialogue to assure the people, the Officers being the Dept. When you graduate the academy and leave your FTO behind, remember that, if you cant take verbal abuse, questioning and 2d guessing maybe its not the job for you. Now that being said its a new post Mumbai world, and the TTPs we learned in the WOT of course filter down for better or worse. But it also did post WW1 in the gangster era of the 20s and 30s, post WWII in the "Commision" era and post Vietnam when home grown terrorism and radical violence was real.

Look at what SORT as well as HRT are tasked with, how many apply to Myers?

http://www.troopers.ny.gov/Specialized_Services/Special_Operations_Response_Team/

StormR
StormR 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 5 Like

@Switzerland @ArcticWarrior @Iassen Donov Frankly, I WANT those kinds of teams around the country.  When all hell breaks loose - and it does - I want experienced, trained, knowledgeable folks to step in and bring order.  And I want those who are considering murder and mayhem to know that there are consequences for their actions, and hope that gives them pause.  Meyers murdered people in cold blood.  There are families grieving their losses and the effects of those losses will be felt by them forever.  People have free will - Meyers made a choice to take life and a choice to forfeit his own life.  He could have put down his gun and surrendered and plead his case in a court of law.  He choose suicide by cop, and if he would have had the opportunity, he would have taken more people with him.  This is a nation of law that only works because there are those who are willing to step up to enforce those laws and to protect and defend against those who are willing to break those laws.  BTW - having worked in human rights issues for over 40 years - and specifically as related to law enforcement - I can honestly say I have NEVER met an LEO who enjoyed 'busting heads', and I've been in contact with hundreds of them - and I've gone to the funerals of 8 who died in the line of duty.

Switzerland
Switzerland 5pts

 @ArcticWarrior  @Iassen Donov Oh I agree with you, Arctic.  I think you got my point though. Perhaps posting it in the context of this article was wrong. The only reason I did is because I don't like having too many of these teams around the country. Maybe its hard to describe because I am not the most learned writer on the web.

At some point, there is too much force and then politicians and other corrupt officials take advantage of said teams. We all know a few cops who enjoy "bustin' heads" more than keeping the peace. I am not saying that is the norm at all and  I would rather not see that being the norm, because the violence on "suspects" will become more acceptable.

Tyrants, usually, wield that kind of power.

 

ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

@Switzerland @Iassen Donov They didnt just shoot this guy ad hoc, they tried for hours to communicate with him. They sent the robot in, nothing from Myers. He could have resolved this himself and walked out peacefully, he chose not to face a jury of his peers. He didnt want to be reasoned with.

imdiesel
imdiesel 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

Ape looked like he was a good boy. Sorry for his loss. Hate to hear about MWDs or K-9s KIA. So sad.

SuperSix8
SuperSix8 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

Ok , I have read half of the posts on here, many questioning why the K9 was sent in prior to the operators making their entry, so I apologize in advance if this has been explained already, but I felt compelled to add in my penny.  I have absolutely zero insight about this specific mission undertaken by HRT, other than what I read in the above article. However, what I can tell you with personal experience is that tactical teams utilizing K9's during their operations has been occurring for decades.  

 

Now with regards to the specific tactic that HRT appears to have used based on what I have read in the article, it is in line with what LE SWAT teams and what I have heard is occurring with our Tier 1 and similar type groups overseas. Essentially, the tactic involves the following:  the assault team stands by at a breach/entry point, the K9 is deployed into the structure, the assault team waits for the suspect to give away his position or the K9 to alert to the suspect's location, and the team enters in and handles business.  There is more to this of course, but for opsec sake, I won't divulge that information.  

 

The bottom line is this:  the K9's are TOOLS.  They are an instrument used to effect the desired outcome of the mission. Does this make them any less valued?  No; to the contrary, they are a tremendous asset, as they save human lives.  I guarantee that all of the operators on the HRT were personally affected by the loss of their team K9, but if you ask any of them if they would trade one of their fellow operator's lives for the K9's, none of them would say yes.  Ape gave his life so that his fellow teammates would not have to give theirs. This is the purpose K9 teammates serve and they are all loved by their fellow human teammates because of it.  

JHR
JHR 5pts

@SuperSix8 I know someone who would raise their hand to go instead of the K-9. You have no idea.

Iassen Donov
Iassen Donov 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @SuperSix8 be careful. a lot of these armchair warriors and internet commandos currently cleaning their airsoft rifles might not take too well to this common sense and factual approach you just spit at them.

TKW406
TKW406 5pts

@Iassen Donov  Never again will I try to eat my lunch & read comments on 'REP.  You almost made me choke on a carrot!  +1 Iassen  :)

 @SuperSix8 

drawandstrike
drawandstrike 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

I see from the comments some of you are concluding flash bangs were used in the breaching.  They don't say that in the article up there.  It says Ape was the 1st through the door.  It doesn't say anything about the use of flashbangs. 

 

It does look like they made a decision: "We'll send the dog in, he shoots the dog, he'll give his position away, then we'll go after him."  

 

Wouldn't it have been better to spend a couple hundred bucks on a small remote controlled helicopter with a camera attached and send that in? You'd have gotten the same 'look' inside the room before the guy fired on it and gave his position away.  

oneshureone
oneshureone 5pts

 @drawandstrike

 I would just like to add to these comments, that the building was abandoned, with alot of debris on the floors.  I heard a robot could not travel inside the building it was so bad.  Flashbangs and tear gas was being thrown inside on a regular basis all night long.  Everytime this occured, this guy would go inside a walkin cooler until it would settle down.  This building used to be a restaurant, bar, banquet hall for 500 people on the first floor where he was holed up, and apartments on the second and third floors.  This place was a fortress for this guy.  There was no electric or water in the place.  He was familar with the building and neighborhood.  No remote controlled anything could of gone in there.  This guy was waiting until anything or anybody moved inside, and was ready to go down shooting which is what he did.  He is dead now.  Moron.......

ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @drawandstrike

 Its pretty standard for the flashbang on a breach -

" State police and FBI tactical teams entered the first floor of the abandoned building around 8 a.m. Thursday to end the standoff, D'Amico said. Myers opened fire, killing an FBI dog that was behind a door, D'Amico said. Police returned fire, killing Myers. No officers were injured."

 

They assaulters were already in the building when the dog was shot

flhtse05
flhtse05 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

RIP Ape. These dogs are as valuable teamembers as any of the humans on them.

Abu Shane
Abu Shane 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

18 USC 924(c)- it's illegal to use a firearm (involved in inter-state commerce) to commit a crime of violence.  If the shotgun was cut down, then it's also an NFA violation.  There's your federal nexus. No, the FBI is not going to do DUI check points because the agents don't have authority.  Special agents are granted Special authority to enforce certain violations as enumerated by the US Code.  Boom.  Knowledge.

EyC
EyC 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

The following was asked, "Why the FBI and not the locals"? Most local, state, and federal agencies work together in either regional task forces or federal agency proprietary task forces (ie HIDTA, Jttf, & etc.). These task forces help LE agencies by overlapping or removing gaps in jurisdiction, so that laws can be enforced more efficiently. Everyone is equally important in the taskforces. This is especially important in areas that have seen an increase in certain crimes, or simply do not have the man power to handle special law enforcement activities. My guess is the FBI was used because they had the best means to respond. This, from a Law enforcement officers prospective, isn't a bad thing. Bad guy gets killed, things are good. The locals still got to play! Someone also commented that "if the FBI shot up your house, you wouldn't be able to sue". That is just not true, Fed Agents get sued in Civil court all the time. Feds are not the military. Agencies provide agents with legal representation when actions are conducted during the course of official duties. Each fed agent is responsible for his / her actions, and if they are acting outside of their agency policies, they will be liable on a personal level. Some people get spun up too quick with comments! Lets wait to see what happened and then judge. The only bad part of this story was the unfortunate loss of APE, May he RIP. Good job to all involved!

imdiesel
imdiesel 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Count this as my inaugural post on SOFREP, but in reference to the following statement/URL link, why the hell does the shooter (HRT?) have his EOTech XPS 2/3 mounted backwards on his carbine?!?! Goodness, what kind of bullshit are these "operators" doing and where are they finding these people?!? ChrisMayhew 7 pts Probably best the HRT stepped up. http://thisainthell.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/herkimer3.jpg

-BLACK-
-BLACK- 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @imdiesel Looks like they might be state police as the dude with the SG has a patch that says state.    Good eye though, I dont understand how his buddies didnt catch that and assist him in the unfucking of his rig, 

JoeL2000
JoeL2000 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @imdiesel I'd also note that he has his BUIS up too. Who knows wtf is going on in that picture.

imdiesel
imdiesel 5pts

Once again, for the last time--I only mentioned HRT bec the original poster of that linked photo captioned it w/ "HRT needs to step up its game" or something similar. And, also--does it really even matter if it's HRT or not? What I wanted to know is what's the usability advantage to mounting one's HWS on backwards? Because, if a shooter who does that sort of thing for a living mounts it backwards, maybe there's something I don't know.

SSC_Grayrider
SSC_Grayrider 5pts

 @imdiesel

Thats a local cop. Not HRT, Not State Police SORT.

Txazz
Txazz 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SSC_Grayrider  @imdiesel Yeah, he's wearing Levis.  Def not HRT.

TPOP49
TPOP49 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @imdiesel That was not an HRT operator.  They are not even carrying Colts not to mention the barrel lenght was about 6 inches to long.

JoeL2000
JoeL2000 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @imdiesel Not HRT. 

imdiesel
imdiesel 5pts

@JoeL2000. Yeah, well, I was just referring to what ChrisMayhew indicated in his posting abt HRT needing to step up their game. Doesn't matter what agency the people shown in the photo are working for--that sort of blunder is beyond excusable for someone wearing that uniform, wielding that (or any) kind of rifle.

chris16
chris16 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

RIP Ape

Jaycel Adkins
Jaycel Adkins 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

The gunman fired two shots that hit their target, a moving dog, after being in a room that was breached and had flash bangs thrown into it. Is the guy good, a lucky shot, or am I being naive in thinking that scenario is particularly noteworthy, in terms of being done. 

 

Obviously I think the guy was a dirtbag piece of sh*t for killing people, but that aside.....

JHR
JHR 5pts

@Jaycel Adkins The first round missed. Maybe a lucky shot. RIP Ape.

Iassen Donov
Iassen Donov 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 5 Like

 @Jaycel Adkins that was one of the local police officers

engelbrad
engelbrad 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @Jaycel Adkins

 As always Jaycel... good grey matter!

KineticFury
KineticFury 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 8 Like

 @Jaycel Adkins If you can see the the dog coming and have a 12-gauge and don't panic, its not that hard. Ever been charged by 300lb hog? If your life or limb is on the line you'd be surprised at what you can do.

 

JHR
JHR 5pts

@KineticFury @Jaycel Adkins You can be sure Ape was "booking it", he was not on a patrol. He was not an easy target. The murderer got lucky. RIP Ape.

engelbrad
engelbrad 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 7 Like

 @KineticFury  @Jaycel Adkins

 300lb hog?... I'd need a quick change of pampers!...lol

JHR
JHR 5pts

@engelbrad @KineticFury @Jaycel Adkins Brad-Seriously, you cannot outrun a hog-climb a tree or get up high. Thats your best bet. And, they eat EVERYTHING and I mean all parts.

-BLACK-
-BLACK- 5pts

 @KineticFury  @engelbrad  @Jaycel Adkins  LMAO X 2

KineticFury
KineticFury 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @engelbrad  @Jaycel Adkins Clarification: the hogs stink, not my pampers

KineticFury
KineticFury 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @engelbrad  @Jaycel Adkins more like frebreeze, those suckers stink.

 

 

Jaycel Adkins
Jaycel Adkins 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

 @KineticFury I hear ya, made me think back to Mike Ritland's post about putting dogs in schools, definitely not fool proof, or bad luck proof rather. Looking forward to when Trident K9 Warriors comes out, gain a bit more insight. 

Jaycel Adkins
Jaycel Adkins 5pts

@KineticFury @Jaycel Adkins Also check out Facebook for pages dedicated to MWD, etc. Pretty sweet stuff, Ritland was holding a contest for autographed copies of his upcoming book a little while ago, not sure if that is still going on. 

KineticFury
KineticFury 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

 @Jaycel Adkins the dogs are awesome, you can see all sorts of em on youtube. Extra layer of defense (and offense) which also plays with the bad guys brain. If you can't see it coming because you're pinned down and you only have a handgun, good luck!

 

ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 6 Like

 @Jaycel Adkins

 Depending on where the banger was when it went off in relation to this madman, where he was holed up, with what cover, from where the dog made his approach, yeah sometimes the bad guy gets lucky....it happens

OneShot
OneShot 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 13 Like

since there is apparantly some backlash for using a K9 i suggest maybe we train honey badgers instead. Anyone? Comments?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg

JHR
JHR 5pts

@OneShot We have badgers on our ranch and I actually stay about 200 acres away from their dens. F)(*& That- I thought one was a stray dog onetime so I went towards it saying "here, puppy-puppy".....yep....I made it to the tail gate then climbed through the truck cab window. THEN, I noticed the white mask on its face. Those things are frightening. You know, they lock on with their jaws and don't let go. I am out over 200 acres because of them. Geesh. Still, its their land too.

-BLACK-
-BLACK- 5pts

 @OneShot   M3 the wolverine gets my vote. 

www.badassoftheweek.com/m3wolverine.html

ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 5 Like

 @OneShot

 That narration....

Jaycel Adkins
Jaycel Adkins 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @ArcticWarrior  @OneShot ....is an EPIC WIN. 

shooten
shooten 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 6 Like

 @OneShot Honey Badger Don't Care or so my daughter was singing the other day...

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    • In the IDF, 'Lonely Soldier' is a term that describes soldiers serving on active duty who have no family is Israel. These are volunteers that came to serve for 3-5 years. They typically go back to their respective countries upon completion. Most commonly, these are people who immigrated to Israel by themselves. I was one of them. While in Israel, I lived in an apartment building where the majority of people were lonely soldiers. It was located on the outer ring of Jerusalem, surrounded by four Arab villages. My roommates were two recon guys (like me) and one who worked in field intel. All of the other inhabitants were soldiers from various units, with most of them serving a combat role. It was a well known thing, especially to the Arabs in the village. Most of the time we wouldn't be there, but when we were on leave, we would come to the apartment for a little R&R. It was rare that the four of us were there at the same time, but once in a blue moon, it did happen. Each village had, as is customary, its own mosque. When the time for prayer came, the loudspeakers would call out to the faithful. It was OK, we were used to it. However, over the weekend they would make it a point to play the call to prayer very, and I mean VERY, loud. They knew soldiers would be in the building trying to get some sleep - recovering from several weeks in the field. This always annoyed me but there was nothing I could do. On this particular weekend, after an intense seven weeks of non-stop ops, all I wanted was to go to the apartment, sleep, eat, sleep some more and then sleep again. That weekend the four of us were at the apartment and we were all equally tired. We arrived Thursday night and after a small dinner and some beers, we went to sleep. At 0400 we all jumped.... The freaking loudspeakers at all four mosques began their call to prayer at full blast. Fuck.... We spent the remainder of the day trying to rest and every time we would fall asleep, again... The call for prayers, full blast! Over lunch, we all looked at each other and knew this had to stop. We came up with a plan. I know it wasn't nice, but at that point we couldn't care less about political correctness. Here's what we did. After some recon that night, we noticed that the call to prayer wasn't performed by an Imam or some other person with a microphone. It was a tape recorder that used a tape. We figured the four of us, experts in stealthy infils, could sneak in and steal those tapes. However, while we were planning the different infil routes for each village, we all smiled and did something better. We recorded Metallica's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' on repeat on all four tapes and then waited till midnight. At midnight, each one of us - armed with a Metallica tape - headed to a different village. All dressed in black, we were careful not to be seen. We entered into the buildings and exchanged the tapes. We rallied back to the exfil point, a crossroad not far from the last village and headed back to our apartment. And then we waited... At 0350 we went to the roof with some coffee, opened some field chairs and waited for the show to begin. At 0400 sharp the first "call" came alive, full volume: Make his fight On the hill in the early day Constant chill deep inside ... Take a look To the sky Just before you die It's the last time he will Followed by the next, then the 3rd and 4th joined in. Full volume Metallica! Soon after, we heard sirens headed to the villages. I don't know what happened after that, but we had our own private concert, right there. No kidding, there I was... Metallica call to prayer

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