Pete Nealen

After exhaustive analysis, the note from Marcus was determined to be genuine. Finally, the “Probability of Area” had been narrowed down, and the search could become more focused. Air assets were still over the area constantly, though only going down toward the mountainsides at night. Dozens of resupply bundles were dropped from the air, containing […]

With the FBI analysts’ confirmation that the note did indeed come from Marcus Luttrell, things began to speed up. The area of the team’s E&E had been solidified, and the search could be narrowed down to the Shuryek Valley and the eastern side of Sawtalo Sar. While the steepness of the terrain still provided plenty […]

It wasn’t an easy movement. Not only were they in hostile territory (though the Shuryek Valley was considerably more friendly toward US forces than the Korengal and Chichal, on the other side of the ridge), but they were facing the same brutally steep, rocky terrain that the Rangers had been moving over, in the dark. […]

The Rangers had been scouring the mountains for over a week. The heat and altitude had taken its toll, with more than one Ranger having to be medevaced as a heat casualty, and many more needing to use IVs to recover the fluids they had lost hiking over the mountains with full combat loads. One […]

This account is as accurate as I could make it, 7000 miles away and 8 years after the fact. Sources differed in their recollections, and particularly timelines. Not having been there, I have had to piece together the story as best I could. There has been a great deal of controversy about Marcus Luttrell’s account […]

There’s been a lot said lately about the discrediting of COIN doctrine.  We have two glaring examples of its failure right in front of us: Iraq is descending into sectarian chaos again, as the death tolls rapidly approach the darkest days of American involvement, and Afghanistan is a basket case.  Of course, Afghanistan can be […]

This map is, of course, not 100% accurate.  In the fluid environment of an irregular war it is practically impossible to have 100% accuracy, particularly when the information is being collected from various electronic sources on the ground.  However, I thought that in a general sense it would provide a visual aid for at least […]

Since military action began in Iraq in 2003, the Iraqi region of Kurdistan has managed, for the most part, to escape the sectarian violence that has plagued Iraq for nearly ten years. The relative peace and calm came to an abrupt end earlier this month as a series of car bombings struck the Kurdish Capital […]

In recent discussions with European diplomats, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief and ambassador to the US, said that the Kingdom was considering severing diplomatic ties with the United States over Syria, Palestine, and Iran. Bin Sultan claimed that the US has deliberately not pursued military action against Bashar al Assad, making this the […]

Anyone who has gone through the grueling training necessary to become any kind of SOF justifiably has pride in what he has accomplished.  Many of these selection and training courses have up to 50% or higher attrition rates, and for good reason.  Earning that Recon Jack, Ranger Scroll, Green Beret, or Trident is a hell […]

On Tuesday, Oct 15, Abu Anas al Libi, captured in Libya on Oct 5, was arraigned in federal court in New York.  He is believed to have been instrumental in the bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1998.  He has pleaded “not guilty” to terrorism charges, and his lawyer is claiming that […]

A popular image of the warrior emphasizes his confidence.  While confidence is important, however, humility keeps confidence from becoming bravado, and ultimately keeps the warrior alive. In mid-2004, I was a “roper,” one of the young Marines running (don’t get caught walking) around 1st Recon Bn with a sling rope and carabiner around their shoulders.  […]