The Only Thing Worth Dying For (55 page)

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A transport plane mounted with a range of guns on its left-side fuselage—including 25 mm Gatling guns capable of firing 1,800 rounds per minute—and integrated with targeting systems that allow the gunship crews to attack targets with surgical precision. Made famous during the Vietnam War for protecting ground forces and firebases surrounded by the enemy, it is said that no American base protected by one was ever lost.

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An offensive operation in which a unit maneuvers through an area or toward an objective while uncertain as to the location or number of enemy defenders. It becomes a contest of who spots the other first, though the offensive unit is often considered “bait” to flush out the enemy from his hiding places.

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One of the basics in small-unit tactics is for the team leader to move his men physically on the battlefield: point out where men need to go in person, not over a radio where directions can be misinterpreted, leading to fratricide accidents. This ensures full situational awareness.

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Military slang for vehicle commander.

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Amerine was still unaware that Ken had left behind Mag and Wes while fleeing enemy fire.

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A reference to a movie in which Bill Murray’s character relives the same day over and over again.

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Joint Direct Attack Munition is a guidance system kit bolted onto unguided 500-or 2,000-pound gravity “dumb” bombs.

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Expected to die regardless of medical care.

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Air Force para-rescue jumpers specialize in rescue missions behind enemy lines. They are trained medics and airmen who also perform ground security for aircraft at landing zones.

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In this case a fixed-wing “fuel tanker” used to refuel the helicopters while in flight.

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This was the first daytime helicopter mission in the War on Terror.

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In a flameout, one is out of fuel and must land immediately.

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Despite the PJ’s best efforts, the man died from his extensive wounds on the final approach to Camp Rhino. All of the remaining critically wounded Afghans medevaced by Knife 03 and Knife 04 survived.

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All references to John Doe are to sources who wish to remain anonymous.

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An elite special mission unit that was based primarily in Pakistan, comprising Delta, Navy SEALs, British Special Air Service (SAS), and Army Rangers. Its main role was to capture or kill high-value Taliban and al-Qaeda targets.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Epigraph

Contents

Prologue

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Photographic Insert

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

Epilogue

Map of Tarin Kowt

Map of Shawali Kowt

Acknowledgments

Selected Bibliography

Notes

About the Author

Other Books by Eric Blehm

Credits

Copyright

About the Publisher