Speak the truth!! You know that they went there for the African resources. Period!! Call it what it is. The west continue to steal the resources of Africa. Even after stealing and enslaving millions of Africans and bruterlising them for centuries. This revisionist history is not working.
We were flying NOE on a large scale late night airmobile OP... when bird off to our left banked and we saw a battle rifle fly out. Sadly, the Ranger who lost his rifle... thought it prudent to reach out for his rifle... only it caused him to fall out of his bird. We last saw both plunging into the darkness below... and out of view. We never did locate him nor his rifle a few days later when we returned post-OP. Better to lose your rifle... and live. In my opinion.
It was particularly distasteful when the bar stool commandos threw Johnson--the black troop--under the bus…..calling him a coward & deserter. He was later found dead with 18 bullet wounds & empty magazines. Video recovered later confirmed Johnson fought to the end. Awarded the Silver Star.
I'm happy to hear that the truth was made known in the end. Those assumptions were really awful. I can only guess that people who said that were projecting themselves, b/c they knew they would have tried to cut and run. They couldn't imagine anyone else having the resolve to do more than that.
@@olliefoxx7165 It's relevant because the bar stool commandos speculated that Johnson was in on the ambush. As if somehow him being an African American made him side with the enemy... Brain rot is definitely spreading.
Im from staff sgt Dustin Wrights home town and knew him personally. I dont believe a word the pentagon says about the operators going rogue. They got hung out to dry were refused back up multiple times and then were blamed for the superiors sloppy work. Dustin was a man of integrity and bravery. He deserved better from the military than what he recieved. RIP buddy 😢
On RUclips, there is a recreation of the engagement with vehicles, dismounts, and the Mike force. Although the individual SF guys were no doubt fully competent, their movements during the operation turned into a soup sandwich quickly. Guys got left behind, loss of accountability and situational awareness of dismounted troops, vehicles did U-turns and got shot up, then couldn’t reach the guys that got left behind. Then it became a running withdrawal. True fog of war chaos. The painful truth is that the AAR assessment was accurate.
Let's be real. It failed cause Niger was ready and knew we were instigating a fight with multiple african countries. Thought we could do it quite without media attention....... Everyone look at ukraine they'll say. While nato attacks the roots of Africans world wide and try to hide it. Soldiers serve to protect our citizens. Instead get used and gangsters to protect corporate interests. Africa wants justice for colonization. And they want a fair exchange for resources we steal. Our soldiers are heroes no cronies.
@@blackhawk7r221Exactly. One has not to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out. The Soldier’s made so many mistakes it was programmed what was about to happen. The rebel’s who attacked them we’re battle hardened highly mobile unit’s. They we’re able to outflank them plus the much bigger number of man made the outcome predictable.
@@blackhawk7r221 I read the book Sacrifice by Michelle Black, the widow of Bryan Black where she goes into more detail about the breakdown in coordination during the battle. ODA 3212 had never trained with the partner Niger forces before. This mission was the first time they had partnered up. Furthermore Niger is a country with 11 official languages but has 23 languages in total. The Americans were heavily dependent on their local interpreter for communicating with the Niger partner forces. When the shooting started, their interpreter supposedly legged it according to Michelle's findings from her interviews with surviving team members. As ODA-3212 attempted to exfil the area, the team went above and beyond trying to make sure all the partner forces were extracted using what little they knew of French and the dominant local language. In the confusion, some men got separated leading to the deaths of 4 US SF and 5 Nigeriens.
As someone who has personally been deployed to that region around the same timeframe, I can attest to the absolute lack in support and resources to soldiers there. Closest QRF to us was in another country, with a 3+ hour transit time. Not to mention we weren't even on a U.S. operated base, with chain-link fencing and partially missing c-wire around it as our main defense. You have to be lacking brain cells to believe what the pentagon said about the situation.
I saw the documentary on this subject called 3212 Unredacted, really sad what happened to these Soldiers. I never understood why they had soft skinned vehicles, no uparmor like B6 or B7 level. I also don't understand why the first three soldiers who died, got out of their vehicle while one drove, and engaged the enemy from the rear of the unarmored vehicle. They should've stepped on the gas and hauled their butts out of there. Then the other dudes disengaged from the main force, trying to find the other missing part of the convoy. This seemed like a every man for himself type deal. In addition the main, more experienced force called off the mission because of bad weather apparently and this team, the backup team, still went out and stayed out longer than they should've to find some warlord. They were clearly sold out by somebody in the village they visited, maybe the entire village dimed them out.
@@jacekpaszkowski2000 Probably got out bc the vehicles offered no real protection and being surrounded would require deployment from the vehicle anyway. More effective to fight seeing a line of sight than to be without line of sight inside a vehicle.
@@MD-xs6fx They should've hit the pedal to the metal and got out of the hot zone, just like the lead vehicles did. these guys had a different plan. No disrespect to them, they were poorly trained.
This sounds suspiciously like a failure of leadership from someone with authority and connections who has been doing all they can to push the blame away from themselves.
The fact in the end the French were the ones who saved most of the American operators with the Air power shows a little bit about the political circunstances of US operations in Níger. The US has a lot of resources but they decided not to use them and in the end the delay was probably due to negotiations with the French to help(because France was way more envolved in the Region already). Not having a Quick reaction force means someone above Captain Perozini did not anticipate because that is a tool for higher level officers, so they believed this was a safe mission. It is important to remind that around this time Russia allegedly started to pay bounties on American troops(big scandal of Putin and Trump meeting in 2017), and it is clear the Intel of those militants was sharp. In Afganistan around 2006-2009 American troops also took casualties probably due to the lack of resources available to that war given Iraq, Obama then surged which required very unpopular measures to retain personal and use of national guardsman reserves.
I think it sounds like politically motivated move by traitors in the military who had orders from higher ups not to allow and large conflicts to form. They were protecting the African militants, because they did want a battle big enough to make big news, and because they wanted to remain in favor with the Niger government.
Cpt Perozeni was my PL in Afghanistan. The real deal. He saved my ass big time once when I did some dumb shit over there. He's always about the well being of his guys. Talk about an officer that will go to bat for ya. It was an honor, sir. Guaranteed it wasn't his fault.
Perozini took a bullet and went through hell trying to safe his men, while reinforcements were held back under protest. If it were not for the French support, this would have ended badly for all of them. It is a disgrace that soldiers have to die for political agendas that won't even grant them protection when they are laying their life on the line for them. And it seems like an easy decision to help a party in distress...
@@TheLobstersoup I have to ask the military people here. How long until the military loses faith in leadership with situations like this and the afghan withdrawal? They keep betraying you.
@@34ccsn Nothing's wrong with the Afghanistan withdrawal. We were never going to permanently solve anything there, it was simply bottomless pit for lives and money. If anything the military should be happy that they aren't wasting their time on that anymore.
@@34ccsnso do we stay out of genocides like what was happening in Bosnia? Did you have a problem with US intervention in Libya during the Obama years? Remember the "Arab Spring"?
I just discovered this channel. Mad respect for you for covering and educating us in an away none of the mainstream have been able to. Subscribed. I think you should present a video on how you and analyze the situation.
As an American I’m so tired of us getting involved into things constantly, most Americans don’t support these pointless wars it’s the government that does
@@xking21 making everyone's lives easier? your phone, the internet, youtbe, your car, the plane in which you go on vacations, you can thank Americans for all those things
all of these things you have mentioned are produced or provided by many other countries than US. @@Powerhaus88 Bro, americans didnt invent cars or phones....
In Vietnam, air power was just minutes away from a team in trouble. If a team was about to be over run, they called "broken arrow" over their radio. This required every available aircraft to fly toward the team. Sometimes there were so many aircraft, they were stacked up, circling and waiting to drop their ordnance. I would say that the US Army was at fault in Niger for not having a plan. So it's classified.
@@michaelerzuah1105 Politicaly, because no one wanted to support the containment of communism anymore. The NVA was kicked to the curb then the sympathizers like Vietcong, Chinese trooos came and made it harder for the Alliance, US, UK, Australia, South Korea, and Philippines Stop watching nam movies
@@michaelerzuah1105 Also they killed civilians by the millions and got a lot of their fellow soldiers killed because of their narcissistic and egoistic behaviours.
@@michaelerzuah1105 The US did not "lose" the Viet Nam war. All the American combat troops had been removed 2 years prior to the fall of Saigon. It was the South Vietnamese that lost that war. How can we lose it if we aren't there?
yeah the tax paying peasants in the USA dont want it either bud, its the overlords that direct the military making these decisions. they dont care about what the citizens want or need in their homeland, they def wont care what you want or need.
As a former SF operator years ago i always hate to hear when the guys at the ODA level get blamed for crap that took place several levels above them. Unfortunately it happens all too often. Thanks for reporting this one. We still have PMC in place there, that’s not classified or I wouldn’t know about it being long out of the service. A friend just came back from there last year.
Shit rolls downhill. Whatever the premise of that mission, stopping to bumrush some bandits in the middle of nowhere with no support, when you're not supposed to be making war there seems a bit aggredious. Bad call in hindsight, people died - officers gotta wear that. Such is war, I mean, 'training and advising'.
@@onylra6265 standard ambush doctrine is escape the kill zone and counter-attack the ambush from a more advantageous position. Its Army Battle Drill #4. It may not have worked out but no decision in combat is made with full knowledge of the circumstances.
LoL. This guy just told you it wasn’t really the US fault that the US destroyed Libya & sent them back to the Stone Age because something something & there was “unrest”. So Americ an intelligence funds & arms terrroristsz, creates “strife” & now all of a sudden they have the moral authority to now go intervene directly, wage war, & do regime changge. They call it the “War on Terror” & boom, now it’s totally cool & Kosher. Gotta love Spook logic. But go on telling us how this guy is “different” from corporate media
@dingus6317 From what I gathered from the footage they tried as best they could to exfil but got overrun by insurgents on foot and in technicals. They had sustained casualties(likely fatal) while withdrawing in the non armored SUVs.
@@dingus6317we stopped all the time in Iraq. You take any fight you think you can win. It was only a small amount of fire at first. But we had armored vehicles and crew served weapons on every one. Never should have with unarmed pickups
@@FighteroftheNightmanit probably wasn't their 1st firefight and they were used to taking on smaller groups. Unfortunately, it looks like they were betrayed by the chief of Tongo Tongo and he gave info to the rebels. They probably knew the size and strength of the ODA unit and their weapons. Only the skill of the Green Berets and their allies saved them from being massacred. RIP Sergeant Johnson.
My bossmans son enlisted in the USMC around February this year 23’. He had orders to ship out to training sometime around march next year. Seemed stupid long. He gets a call this past monday, hes ship date is now this coming monday, they dont even know what time his plane leaves yet, a seriously frantic move on behalf of the Corps. This kid is smart and can weld so he was told his MOS or whatever changed. Hes no longer a civil engineer, hes a combat engineer effectively immediately for 2 years. This tells me Sam is anticipating breaching a front line soon since thats what combat engineers do. They clear the way for infantry. Install bridges and clear mines and such. Makes me nervous.
@@MrJohnTripperson Maybe. The marines have been eying the pacific a lot. They ditched their tanks because they're no good in island hopping campaigns. America went from wanting to be able to fight a 2 front war just in case to actively planning a 2 front war. America is the Great Satan. @Seal Did he join for $ or a sense of duty? I don't think God will look kindly on Hesshian mercenaries. This one time George Washington crossed the icy deleware on christmas eve just to slit their throats and he will always be remembered as a hero no matter what they say and how many statues of his contemporaries (for now) they tear down. Inshallah one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter, PBUH.
They prepare and plan ahead to meet anticipated challenges yes. But they are also struggling with recruitment, especially to fill specialized roles. So don’t jump to conclusions, the marines are pretty unlikely to significantly deploy to Europe anyway, if there is a conventional war with Russia they would be needed even more than now to stand to deter China in the pacific. So I wouldn’t worry too much tbh, for the time being anything he’s likely to face danger in, will likely result in nuclear war and end us all anyway.
Excellent video! Somewhat like you, I was an Average Airborne Infantryman, and this situation absolutely smacks of malfeasance by superior officers. Keep up the good work!
Textbook example of why the military has and will continue to have massive problems retaining personnel and attracting new recruits. The brass throwing the lower ranks under the bus is completely dishonorable, but sadly par for the course. The fact that we have any personnel in africa in the first place is grossly disrespectful and wasteful of both our fighting forces and the taxpayers funding these idiotic misadventures.
@@luislongoria6621the political class are wasting your lives protecting their profits with violence in far away places, your duty is to protect your country and loved ones from aggressors, but in Africa you have no Aggressors, Hell, most people will try to get into America for work. Just like most grunts in your army.
Close air support is one of the greatest tools modern commanders have at their disposal. Why any mission that might result in enemy contact isn't planned with CAS from the start is beyond me. 😥
@@cplcabs Americans especially are use to seeing their troops with superior fire power and air support. This is the real world were that is not the case at all times.
@@cplcabs Green Berets will fucking fight, I have seen countless video footage and reports, Green Berets will mostly take the fight to the enemy, they don't just honker down and rely on air support. As you see in this video, they went for flanks. The problem is, the OP was stupid, they had no CAS or QRF on station.
… Above the rank of 0-4 in officer ranks and E-8 in enlisted ranks. Below those ranks accountability is a heavy and inevitable hammer while your head rests on an anvil; it’s very hard to avoid consequences.
Crab rolls downhill. If you’ve ever been in the military, which, obviously you haven’t, you would know this and enlisted men get hung out to dry all the time I’m just part of the gig.
23:00 see, this is why I got out. The tendency in the military to pass blame and career damage down to the lowest level limits growth from the top down, both in accountability and in new approaches and energy. I'd wager the stagnation is so Individuals can accomplish their 'personal legacy'. Leaders who will axe their subordinates to save their own skin are playing their leadership too.
The military is not immune to the big money thrown around by defense contractors. The infamous "Big Leonard" of the Philippines is one case that comes to mind and that was over a Navy fuel contract
remember the Mayaguez "incident" and how the Pentagon brass and politicians said they could do nothing about it and let those marines get butchered by the nice men and women of Pol Pot? or how they handled the vile attack on the USS Liberty or the bombing of the, again, marines in Beirut in 1983? 🙄
I am glad this isn't a British problem. the words "quagmire" and "hydra" come to mind. You need to be very cautious and learn from British and french past mistakes. I hope Americans actually look at British history at least to avoid our mistakes.
You think the US is acting without the backing and support of the British in anything they do? The city of London is the financial arm and the US is the military arm of the rulers who control the New world order.
Between the fact we're in Niger due to the French, and had to deal with Afghanistan (who drew those borders again?) makes your comment kinda funny. Seems like you guys just gave up and let somebody else be the international punching bag.
They FAFO the Niger troops and others warned them. They believed the hype they are Invincible but fast battle hardened local militias with far more combat experience.
@MrHeavy466 I agree. Higher ups messed up. But they aren't gonna take the blame and blemish their image. I just don't see how their loss of life related to protecting America. If it's securing oil...why, when and where does the average Joe reap the benefits of them being there...gas still expensive.
My cousin swapped places with one of the guys killed during the Tongo Tongo ambush. It was supposed to be an "easy" job, and guy was supposed to go home in a few days to meet his new daughter. So cousin, not knowing enough about the job, traded him an undisclosed "hard" job for an "easy" job, and cousin ended up doing light work while his friends and team members ended up on LiveLeak screaming for support. Cousin was in the heavily armed team that tried to support the TT team and was made to stand down. TT had asked for armored vehicles and armed ISR support along with a QRF team in advance and were denied. Like the video states, command did not expect a major issue and they were sent in bare assed
Big Benghazi vibes from this story in terms of support from superiors. I know the world is complicated so I try not to just say "we should do this" or "shouldn't do that" in terms of geopolitics, but if we ARE going to be playing in the mud we shouldn't be too timid about getting our hands dirty. Too often our best troops are left in unwinnable situations due to the interests of discretion, low profile, or whatever buzz words. Too often it ends up stinking of cover ups, conspiracy, and sell out. That's what led into the Black Hawk Down disaster (proper air cover denied from higher ups) and the Benghazi embassy attack.
The CIA also helped to create the instability in Libya before gaddafi’s unfortunate demise. A fact often left out, we’re always using a little espionage here and there.
In this video that was glosssed over. Gaddaffi was very popular with the Libyan people. Oil dollars were put into free healthcare, education and housing. Then he went and brought up the idea of de-dollarisation...bang. The Saddam tried..bang. Now Russia has got a big gang to do the same. A wounded animal; is the most dangerous.
I'm not in the military and only know one person who has been but this channel has allowed me to find a newfound, great appreciation, and love for our service members. Not to mention the appreciation of simply being an American 🇺🇸
Being French I heard of that story but never in such detail. Thank you for that Chris. I have no words to express my disgust on how disgraceful these soldiers were treated !
If I recall right this is happening with French forces aswell... are men should always be fully supported every time they leave the wire; our govs not permitting attacks on obvious enemies only causes more problems... you can watch war leaks footage of US and French forces fighting in Africa
I remember when this happened and hearing how it was the low levels who messed up. Great insight on the whole story and very relevant given the goings on in the country at the moment.
@@Ion-tj6clyou don't know what your talking about there was only one ODA in the field. The SUV got left behind when the convoy was pulling out to avoid getting out flanked and 3 men were killed. The other vehicles in the convoy sent men back but it was to late. Then that group came under heavy fire and lost all their vehicles and had to try and escape through an area covered in bushes. They were nearly out of ammunition and couldn't get any support and were facing being over run and that's when they started trying to send goodbye messages to their family
@@cf453 It's very alluring to anyone in a poor area. It's one of the only ways out which is why I think they crash the economy on purpose. If we were all millionaires only patriots would sign up and they also teach people to hate the country so not many of those. People sign up for $. Thinking "I won't get deployed I'll get a specialty" forgetting front lines need specialists. One of the only reasons I didn't sign up to at least some NG level was my FIL a Vietnam vet ways always very against it and he was a very smart wise man so I listened to him. I regret it somedays as people my age and younger with "TBI's" get thousands of $ a month. It's hard to compete with free $. An artillery round went of 3 miles away I'm traumatized for life. That's what they actually claimed in Iraq after Iran shelled something after Trump blew up Kholmeini. Dozens of people claimed and of course were rubber stamped their benefits to prove Trump maimed our soldiers. On the one hand I respect the grind on the other hand I find it impossible to respect the armed forces as a serious fighting force. It's just $ grubbing slores. I bet most of the people on here never dug much into that navy ship that collided with that container vessel or the absolute clown show that was it's officers and situation on deck. Unmanned radar stations. Literal bottles of urine in the command deck area whatever it's called. Like a greentext only it was real.
Can you imagine wanting so desperately to go into the fight to help your brothers only to be told no by the higher ups? Can’t imagine such a helpless feeling.
I worked in the Sahel. To your question about the troops removing body armor, it was because of the oppressive heat and the quick dehydration of the body in those conditions. I know first hand.
I remember when I first saw the uncensored version of the helmet camera from this operation. This is one of the most tragic and sad videos I had ever watched. The very end of the video literally brought a tear to my eye. Rest in peace to all of those brave men.
@@cf453I know you have no reason to believe me, but the video absolutely Is real. I watched it years ago and don’t remember where I found it, but yeah it’s a hard video to watch. I’m pretty sure there are some censored videos that gives a breakdown of what happened. But the uncensored, especially the ending as the original commentor mentioned is pretty dreadful.
I didn't hear about this entire incident back then, but I"m really happy to see the bit and headline about Mattis backing up the lower ranking soldiers on this. I don't think I've ever read or heard anything negative about him.
@@JN1-506what exactly did you expect him to do? I've read the story and no one could give him a bearing on the situation on the ground sending helicopters into an unknown situation could result in even more lives lost and even worse situation developing, he asked the multiple times how did they get into contact, are they still in contact, if they are in contact what is the situation on the ground the green berets responded with "sir we don't think that matters"
@@thelordofcringehubris? what did you expect him to do? based on interviews with the green berets they didnt give him any tactical information at all they just expected Mattis to blindly send helicopters into a situation he had no knowledge on, he asked them multiple times what situation was and if they were still in contact even the green berets in their interview stated that "sir we don't think that matters" was their response to Mattis sending helicopters blindly into a situation can lead to even more casualties which is exactly why the author who published the book you for that information from said he couldn't blame Mattis for the decision
Thank you for your service, cappy and team. Both prior service and your current by bringing little known issues to the forefront and using your platform for good. 10/10 pats on the back for you
Say what you want about Gaddafi. Libya was the most stable nation in Africa until NATO and the US decided they needed a dose of "freedom" from 15000ft.
One of the most stable and most rapidly growing, with the intent to open up a gold-backed currency independent of the US Dollar, Franc, Pound, Yuan, or Euro.
I kind of agree, but he did kind of go insane toward the end as well. There was increasing protests and he was just massacring the shit out of them. Not popular in his own country. Not saying that it was worth taking him out, but no tears to shed for the piece of shit either.
The country was in the middle of a revolution like most of north africa and the middle east, it was during the whole Arab Spring, not saying the west has no responsibility, but it was a bloody dictatorship trying to prevent being overthrown.
Its wrong for our government to place blame on operators, especially when they are the ones who order our operators to do things they shouldn't do. Like reconoidering a base with a far superior force, no drone coverage, no backup support or arty support, no extraction plan, and especially when other units are denied to assist. That is the best way I know for operators to end up POW's. This falls directly on command for poor planning.
This keeps happening OVER and OVER ,yet there never seems to be a real discussion about changes in protocol or operating procedures . There is the fallout but never any change ,as if this is just the way it goes . good vid , again
Regime change never accounts for turncoats except the one successful French operation where suspicious friendlies turned IS were tracked with a drone and eliminated with UN armor
That's because you are nothing more than a number in the military. An expendable asset is no different than a million-dollar bomb being deployed. We'll replace you with another one. We always do. Been going on for decades. The only difference is the technologies we have today to expose it regularly, but it's not going to change anything. Just remember it when talking to your kids about joining the military.
There are documentaries/videos about this online. The operators were denied having significant supporting firepower, denied air support, and acting on poor intelligence. They were attacked by a numerically superior force, and frankly, is a testimony to their training that they survived as long as they did, even when, during the fog of battle, they were separated. A tragedy. Once again senior leadership blaming the troops in the field, sending them into a hornet's nest with little support, then trying to cover their pwn asses. Those soldiers who fought and died that day are true heroes... fighting to the end. Can't say the same for their senior leadership. Cowards trying to avoid responsibility.
this is why sending any more troops to ignite bigger conflict is gonna be big blunder... small troops, well trained, have way higher chance of survival even with bad leadership but the more troops put there, the easier target they gonna be. It is barely 2 years since disastrous end of afghanistan and lot of people died for same leadership reasons there.
Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger did the people of their countries and pf Africa at large very proud by finally rising up and consolidating their demands for a free and independent West Africa that can determine its own political and economic policy without interference from the greedy and murderous West. Their approach may be unpalatable to those foreign forces who stand to lose their unjust gains in the continent but it is a just approach. This is all that matters. This is all that matters.
you know that wagner is behined these coups right? So clearly they are russian backed, best way to deal with wagner is to just make the battle of cocona fields look like a fucking tea party.
US and France = West. Roger that. Those countries won't likely stay stable for long as long as US decides to stick their greedy fat fingers in there. At this point Africa is fucked beyond belief, either it's US going around causing coups left and right or country gets relatively stable and they become financially enslaved by China.
@@bizbe4465democracy doesn't equal good. These puppet democracies sold all of their countries resources to Europe and the US for cheap and left people starving with no infrastructure.
A family member of mine was supposed to go to Mali. After boarding the aircraft they were put on a ground hold for 30 minutes. After that the lead officer on the plan told everyone to get off the plane for a meeting. Turns out the mission had been canceled after they boarded the plane but before the plane had clearance to take off. I found out later that there was a "change" in government in Mali. Stay safe. Take care. Have fun. 😎
Disgusting how top officials blamed the lower level soldiers that put their lives on the line. May the fallen soldiers rest in peace, condolences to their families
Just as we don’t investigate ourselves, the military (and police and all organizations) should not investigate their own. There should always be distance between investigators and those under investigation.
Special Forces Green Berets are always deployed everywhere, to maintain relations with friendly forces in case actions are necessary and generally leverage local forces to achieve goals, through Foreign Internal Defense and UW missions, which is their primary purpose. Other countries may use mercenaries, US uses Army SF who use locals.
With the existence of films like Lone Survivor and 13 Hours, I'm still surprised the Tongo Tongo Ambush hasn't been immortalized on the silver screen yet. When I saw the bodycam footage, particularly when it all starts to go sideways and after, it's powerful stuff.
As the other comment said. The movies you mentioned are very patriotic, where in one way or another, America won. But in this story, all of them died, and if a movie were shown about the encounter would surely bring criticism to the government that would lessen military support, including foreign efforts. And the blaming game after the clash was even more offensive. RIP to all soldiers.
Love your investigative journalism reports , Chris! You remind me of another channel that I watch which has commentaries on the War in the Ukraine by Retired Army Col. Macgregor. He clearly states that the Ukraine is losing the war against Russia which is in contradiction to mainstream media reports.
It's always a good sign when people take responsibility for their country. Sometimes the voice of the people in the streets is more democratic than a constitution they don't participate in shaping.
Democracy is absolute. If Niger wants the Russians, we have to allow it. Fact is 300 years of western influence have made it a country that jockies for worst country alongside Haiti and Afghanistan, despite it being rich in resources and powering Europe near singlehandedly.
I like the fact you mentioned the unnamed Niger soldiers who died as well - especially because they were literally fighting against their oppression. Good job.
Thank you for supporting our National heroes by telling their stories to the people of this US Republic; we the people need to know all about the wrong doing that the DOD failed to keep track and neglected to truthfully report stupid decisions from big wigs CO and then blamed our heroes for their failures! Thank you for your support! We need more support from people like you! (Our National Heroes doesn’t need any FUBAR situation like this)
You're just getting better and better with the authoritativeness of your presentations. Also, love the edge of the report. Well done in your mission to enlighten us.
Thanks I’m trying to improve ! . But yeah I wouldn’t call what I do authoritative , Im just trying to figure out what’s happening im pretty in the darkl
Thoughts with the American forces and relatives. We have to face facts. What is going on in West Africa is complicated. No matter how simplified people try to make it look to audiences
@@germancarrasco2028 No, because that would create a power vacuum that far more nefarious parties (Iran, China, Russia, etc.) would be all too happy to fill.
@@MelodusDethicus so what stay by force , they want you out , they asked you to leave . its their choice what they do in their country and who they allow in.
I’ve actually seen the footage it was leaked well before Any of this came to light and I remember specifically coming across it on Reddit like 3 or so years ago. I can also admit and testify that they went out like true soldiers and when times were rough the were tough until the end. True heroes
It's crazy how fast Niger's population is growing. in 1960 it was 3 million and today its 25 million with 99% of that growth being natural and with next to no immigration. Today its birth rate still remains at its 1960s level at 7.0 children per family but with a much higher life expectancy.
@@princesstaleia9259 having the natural ressources doesn't mean they'll survive... Must never saw Africa to think that it will end up good for them. Between the ethnics and socials tension it will only end up in massacre if occidentals aren't helpinh them
Maybe other places in Africa have the natural resources Niger does not. It is dry almost impossible to grow anything. Also one or two uranium mines is not enough to support 25 million people. It is cheaper to mine other places that have better infrastructure.
@@mshepard2264 the secret is to keep digging, there's water,etc. Why do think other countries have this vested interest. Africans are finally waking up.
The frustration of the other operators forced to standby knowing their fellow brothers in arms were getting the shit kicked out of them by some amateurs that had to outnumber them 10 to 1. It must have been gut wrenching
Knowing that the US SF on the ground -who were sent on a risky mission had to rely on French air support from another country and had unarmed drones makes my blood boil. Those are bad decisions that were made at a much higher level.
This is another great video! I feel bad about risking SF in nameless places for they don’t get recognition for their sacrifices. Yet, much like those in riskier espionage jobs, one person in the right place can make as much impact as a battalion in theater later in time. SF will have to bear with bloody noses from time to time to prevent greater blood loss in the future. Looking forward to your next clip on NIGER Coup. It’s looking like countries are stacking up over this one, like two gangs in the street squaring off each other… I’ll be make sure to watch your video twice.
We ask so much of our military personnel. Especially those who have served and continue to serve overseas. From those small quick acting SF’s teams to Air assets (such as myself), to intelligence and all support personnel. As I have gotten older I realize just how much we ask of our young people to serve in areas far away from home. To all those back home in the U.S. please don’t forget that these service personnel are our next door neighbors and to never forget about them and their needs upon their return home. ✌🏽🇺🇸🙏
@@markbranham7355or borders are no longer like they use too be. Our citizens and economy rely on other countries and economies so it's in our interest to help our partners remain stable so we can.
Another great report mate! In Australia between the end of the Vietnam war & the global war on terror our SF units (SASR) were looking for something to do (at that stage the commando units were both reserve units). Some of their officers even suggested they could go into foreign countries and hunt down drug operations etc. They were after all a recon force with not much to do & Australia was busy peace keeping. They did maintain a CT capability & may have also conducted some training overseas but it was all low key, with some even questioning why they still existed. Then the war on terror started and suddenly political leaders discovered that they could use SF forces (including a new regular army commander unit created out of one of the reserve units), to participate in operations without the normal media exposure that happens when battle groups deploy! They became known as the force of choice - with the rest of the army playing a support role. Unfortunately since then some less than professional (& legal) activities have come to light and senior commanders have managed to avoid the consequences similar to that general in Africa. I think SF are considered a relatively cheap & low risk by our politicians but I really question the use of them conducting operations that are more than just deep recon, sabotage & other dirty trick warfare. Again excellent video
Actual SF (not the cocky media attention seekers like seals) are force multipliers. Instead of sending a battalion of soldiers, establishing a base etc etc and engaging in combat you send a squad or a company of actual sf who use very few resources and do intense damage to the enemy
@@charlesreid9337 yep when the situation calls for it, I agree. But without support, this sought of thing happens. There was an Australian battle in Vietnam, where a company bumped into a much larger force (look up Long Tan) and prevailed through excellent leadership, bravery & training and also what’s not really talked about - the backup of a taskforce with arty, armour and helo’s. Without that support they wouldn’t have survived. Now in this case they didn’t have access to alternative forms of support, once the choppers were grounded due to weather. So yes with support a definite force multiplier. But without? And it was very sad that the families were told different rumours and stories - that should never have happened! Finally at the end of the day it was protecting western assets - again
yep unfortunately they became very popular with politicians in that period and well more or less given carte blanche to do whatever they wanted. also seems to have been a global problem with almost everybody in iraq and afghanistan to some degree having some less than savoury activities by their special forces exposed.
Excellent reporting as always. Even more respect for Mattis - thankfully he had the balls ( and the power) to keep the higher-ranking officers from dumping on the lower-level officers.
@@tomhenry897 Yes they were punished, Perozeni's superior LTC David Painter had his COL promotion denied, and Painter's boss COL Brad Moses has his promotion to BG denied too.
You bring more information about that continent in 2 episodes than western education and journalism did in my lifetime. Thanks and please shed more light.
The bodycam footage of this ambush is still some of the most disturbing I've ever seen, even after everything coming out of Ukraine. They fought to the very end.
As an African comments like this is why I don't hate American vets. They've been to most vocal at exposing these foreign wars. As I understand most sign up for genuine patriotic duties but the leaders are the problem. Wish you have a great day.
All this for someone else’s oil when we have plenty of oil here. We need to use all our energy resources for our own security. Thanks for explaining this and thanks to all who served in this very difficult mission.
The Dictator Gadaffi?? Strange how the word is attached to anyone that opposes US I did enjoy your video but as an African I always wonder if US/France is in these countries because of the extremists or because of the oil and resources you so briefly mentioned?
Likewise, it was written form a western perspective and was misleading in terms of that issue. France and the USA fund these renegade groups and destabilisw the region in order to justify their presence in the region otherwise they were there to secure the looting of Niger's uranium and resources.
They are the so-called terrorist groups, they need a reason to justify their presence in the country/region and continue exploiting it until the end of the natural resources.
During Gaddafi's era, Libyans used to have free villas, free school, free water and electricity, free health care and interest free loans. Gaddafi's government used to import food and other necessities during the unjust imbargo imposed by the west, and distribute those goods in the Libyan markets for half price of purchase. If he was a dictator, then what do you call your politicians than have killed coz you cannot afford treatment or you die in the street coz you are homeless, or you go to jail coz you cannot pay your school loan...?
Hey spare parts army this video was sponsored and made possible by Ridge. Check them out here: ridge.com/taskandpurpose
Dude that's thumbnail 😂
I'm going to Tongo Tongo on my holidays
More fantastic work
@@FXHUND-pk3gkif Cappy would stay like that at nigers border ECOWAS would immediately retreat to Pretoria
Speak the truth!! You know that they went there for the African resources. Period!! Call it what it is. The west continue to steal the resources of Africa. Even after stealing and enslaving millions of Africans and bruterlising them for centuries. This revisionist history is not working.
"...A private who loses a rifle suffers far greater consequences than a general who loses a war." -- Lt. Col. Paul Yingling
our xo lost his....he vanished
@@RocksNRuts4 wait like he was fired or he got vanished
@@Thatotter223 lol he lost it so he was fired, booted
"stay strapped or get clapped" - Roanoak Gaming
We were flying NOE on a large scale late night airmobile OP... when bird off to our left banked and we saw a battle rifle fly out. Sadly, the Ranger who lost his rifle... thought it prudent to reach out for his rifle... only it caused him to fall out of his bird. We last saw both plunging into the darkness below... and out of view. We never did locate him nor his rifle a few days later when we returned post-OP.
Better to lose your rifle... and live. In my opinion.
It was particularly distasteful when the bar stool commandos threw Johnson--the black troop--under the bus…..calling him a coward & deserter. He was later found dead with 18 bullet wounds & empty magazines. Video recovered later confirmed Johnson fought to the end. Awarded the Silver Star.
I'm happy to hear that the truth was made known in the end. Those assumptions were really awful. I can only guess that people who said that were projecting themselves, b/c they knew they would have tried to cut and run. They couldn't imagine anyone else having the resolve to do more than that.
Sounds like a case of "diffusion of responsibility".
Gen. Wallhausen needs to befriend Gen. Shoigu. They have so much in common!
"..Johnson-the black troop.." So was Johnson black? If so, why was that relevant?
@@oleopathicwhy are you going from comment to commenting saying the same irrelevant stupid comment?
@@olliefoxx7165 It's relevant because the bar stool commandos speculated that Johnson was in on the ambush. As if somehow him being an African American made him side with the enemy...
Brain rot is definitely spreading.
Im from staff sgt Dustin Wrights home town and knew him personally. I dont believe a word the pentagon says about the operators going rogue. They got hung out to dry were refused back up multiple times and then were blamed for the superiors sloppy work. Dustin was a man of integrity and bravery. He deserved better from the military than what he recieved. RIP buddy 😢
On RUclips, there is a recreation of the engagement with vehicles, dismounts, and the Mike force. Although the individual SF guys were no doubt fully competent, their movements during the operation turned into a soup sandwich quickly. Guys got left behind, loss of accountability and situational awareness of dismounted troops, vehicles did U-turns and got shot up, then couldn’t reach the guys that got left behind. Then it became a running withdrawal. True fog of war chaos. The painful truth is that the AAR assessment was accurate.
Let's be real. It failed cause Niger was ready and knew we were instigating a fight with multiple african countries. Thought we could do it quite without media attention....... Everyone look at ukraine they'll say. While nato attacks the roots of Africans world wide and try to hide it. Soldiers serve to protect our citizens. Instead get used and gangsters to protect corporate interests. Africa wants justice for colonization. And they want a fair exchange for resources we steal. Our soldiers are heroes no cronies.
@@blackhawk7r221Exactly. One has not to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out. The Soldier’s made so many mistakes it was programmed what was about to happen. The rebel’s who attacked them we’re battle hardened highly mobile unit’s. They we’re able to outflank them plus the much bigger number of man made the outcome predictable.
@@blackhawk7r221 I read the book Sacrifice by Michelle Black, the widow of Bryan Black where she goes into more detail about the breakdown in coordination during the battle. ODA 3212 had never trained with the partner Niger forces before. This mission was the first time they had partnered up. Furthermore Niger is a country with 11 official languages but has 23 languages in total. The Americans were heavily dependent on their local interpreter for communicating with the Niger partner forces. When the shooting started, their interpreter supposedly legged it according to Michelle's findings from her interviews with surviving team members.
As ODA-3212 attempted to exfil the area, the team went above and beyond trying to make sure all the partner forces were extracted using what little they knew of French and the dominant local language. In the confusion, some men got separated leading to the deaths of 4 US SF and 5 Nigeriens.
Isn’t the M.O for the US to say anyone is a sepremicist dictator blah blah blah
As someone who has personally been deployed to that region around the same timeframe, I can attest to the absolute lack in support and resources to soldiers there. Closest QRF to us was in another country, with a 3+ hour transit time. Not to mention we weren't even on a U.S. operated base, with chain-link fencing and partially missing c-wire around it as our main defense. You have to be lacking brain cells to believe what the pentagon said about the situation.
I saw the documentary on this subject called 3212 Unredacted, really sad what happened to these Soldiers. I never understood why they had soft skinned vehicles, no uparmor like B6 or B7 level. I also don't understand why the first three soldiers who died, got out of their vehicle while one drove, and engaged the enemy from the rear of the unarmored vehicle. They should've stepped on the gas and hauled their butts out of there. Then the other dudes disengaged from the main force, trying to find the other missing part of the convoy. This seemed like a every man for himself type deal. In addition the main, more experienced force called off the mission because of bad weather apparently and this team, the backup team, still went out and stayed out longer than they should've to find some warlord. They were clearly sold out by somebody in the village they visited, maybe the entire village dimed them out.
People sitting 2,000 miles away always have the best ideas.
@@jacekpaszkowski2000 Probably got out bc the vehicles offered no real protection and being surrounded would require deployment from the vehicle anyway. More effective to fight seeing a line of sight than to be without line of sight inside a vehicle.
@@MD-xs6fx They should've hit the pedal to the metal and got out of the hot zone, just like the lead vehicles did. these guys had a different plan. No disrespect to them, they were poorly trained.
You have no business in Africa. Pay African Americans reparations or else resources prices are going up.
This sounds suspiciously like a failure of leadership from someone with authority and connections who has been doing all they can to push the blame away from themselves.
The fact in the end the French were the ones who saved most of the American operators with the Air power shows a little bit about the political circunstances of US operations in Níger. The US has a lot of resources but they decided not to use them and in the end the delay was probably due to negotiations with the French to help(because France was way more envolved in the Region already). Not having a Quick reaction force means someone above Captain Perozini did not anticipate because that is a tool for higher level officers, so they believed this was a safe mission. It is important to remind that around this time Russia allegedly started to pay bounties on American troops(big scandal of Putin and Trump meeting in 2017), and it is clear the Intel of those militants was sharp. In Afganistan around 2006-2009 American troops also took casualties probably due to the lack of resources available to that war given Iraq, Obama then surged which required very unpopular measures to retain personal and use of national guardsman reserves.
I’m sure whoever it was has been taken off command👍🏼
Wasn't there a documentary about the incident?
I think it sounds like politically motivated move by traitors in the military who had orders from higher ups not to allow and large conflicts to form. They were protecting the African militants, because they did want a battle big enough to make big news, and because they wanted to remain in favor with the Niger government.
@@rael5469Afghanistan BIDEN. see it works both ways.
We often talk how badly Mexican, Russian or Ukrainian governments are corrupt. We just do a better job at covering up…
Apples to oranges. There are levels to corruption.
You just call it lobbying!
Yup
Our government isn't just corrupt, it's run by traitors.
i dont think theres a soul on planet earth that will say any democratic country on earth isnt riddled with corruption
Cpt Perozeni was my PL in Afghanistan. The real deal. He saved my ass big time once when I did some dumb shit over there. He's always about the well being of his guys. Talk about an officer that will go to bat for ya. It was an honor, sir. Guaranteed it wasn't his fault.
I thank you for your service but you wouldn't have been in danger if we stayed out of others business.
Perozini took a bullet and went through hell trying to safe his men, while reinforcements were held back under protest. If it were not for the French support, this would have ended badly for all of them. It is a disgrace that soldiers have to die for political agendas that won't even grant them protection when they are laying their life on the line for them. And it seems like an easy decision to help a party in distress...
@@TheLobstersoup I have to ask the military people here. How long until the military loses faith in leadership with situations like this and the afghan withdrawal? They keep betraying you.
@@34ccsn Nothing's wrong with the Afghanistan withdrawal. We were never going to permanently solve anything there, it was simply bottomless pit for lives and money. If anything the military should be happy that they aren't wasting their time on that anymore.
@@34ccsnso do we stay out of genocides like what was happening in Bosnia? Did you have a problem with US intervention in Libya during the Obama years? Remember the "Arab Spring"?
I just discovered this channel. Mad respect for you for covering and educating us in an away none of the mainstream have been able to. Subscribed. I think you should present a video on how you and analyze the situation.
As an American I’m so tired of us getting involved into things constantly, most Americans don’t support these pointless wars it’s the government that does
Nigeria will the graveyard for American soldiers
@@irwan3064 do what? Lol
The government supports their backers. It's all about control of resources to make money. Always has been.
@@irwan3064imagine dying for Raytheon
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@pasofino9583 so many have man and many more will.
The instability in Libya is definitely caused by the US taking out the government and then bouncing
It was France spearheaded the intervention.
There are some photos of supposed foreign agents around then Gadaffi executed.
Yes, obviously.
@@xking21 making everyone's lives easier? your phone, the internet, youtbe, your car, the plane in which you go on vacations, you can thank Americans for all those things
all of these things you have mentioned are produced or provided by many other countries than US. @@Powerhaus88 Bro, americans didnt invent cars or phones....
@Tom-A062 they deffo made the lives of Africans and middle Easterns better (no)
In Vietnam, air power was just minutes away from a team in trouble. If a team was about to be over run, they called "broken arrow" over their radio. This required every available aircraft to fly toward the team. Sometimes there were so many aircraft, they were stacked up, circling and waiting to drop their ordnance. I would say that the US Army was at fault in Niger for not having a plan. So it's classified.
The US still lost the Vietnam war regardless. Imagine if they didn't have air support
@@michaelerzuah1105not cuz of military defeat tho what
@@michaelerzuah1105 Politicaly, because no one wanted to support the containment of communism anymore. The NVA was kicked to the curb then the sympathizers like Vietcong, Chinese trooos came and made it harder for the Alliance, US, UK, Australia, South Korea, and Philippines
Stop watching nam movies
@@michaelerzuah1105 Also they killed civilians by the millions and got a lot of their fellow soldiers killed because of their narcissistic and egoistic behaviours.
@@michaelerzuah1105 The US did not "lose" the Viet Nam war. All the American combat troops had been removed 2 years prior to the fall of Saigon. It was the South Vietnamese that lost that war. How can we lose it if we aren't there?
I am Nigerian and my advise to the US is to stay out of it. It will not make matters better, only worse. Just stay out of it.
yeah the tax paying peasants in the USA dont want it either bud, its the overlords that direct the military making these decisions. they dont care about what the citizens want or need in their homeland, they def wont care what you want or need.
Will they stay out voluntarily
So that Islamist control the oil? Sorry, no!
As a former SF operator years ago i always hate to hear when the guys at the ODA level get blamed for crap that took place several levels above them. Unfortunately it happens all too often. Thanks for reporting this one. We still have PMC in place there, that’s not classified or I wouldn’t know about it being long out of the service. A friend just came back from there last year.
They will all be crushed just like in Black Hawk Down.
Shit rolls downhill.
Whatever the premise of that mission, stopping to bumrush some bandits in the middle of nowhere with no support, when you're not supposed to be making war there seems a bit aggredious.
Bad call in hindsight, people died - officers gotta wear that. Such is war, I mean, 'training and advising'.
Well said.
@@onylra6265 standard ambush doctrine is escape the kill zone and counter-attack the ambush from a more advantageous position. Its Army Battle Drill #4. It may not have worked out but no decision in combat is made with full knowledge of the circumstances.
@@masterlightjames950how so?
10/10 channel I couldn’t dream of getting this type of coverage from an actual news/information network. Thank you for your service
I would like to ask a question. Do you consider me a ccp shill? Be honest i beg you
@@u2beuser714 what are you on about
LoL. This guy just told you it wasn’t really the US fault that the US destroyed Libya & sent them back to the Stone Age because something something & there was “unrest”.
So Americ an intelligence funds & arms terrroristsz, creates “strife” & now all of a sudden they have the moral authority to now go intervene directly, wage war, & do regime changge. They call it the “War on Terror” & boom, now it’s totally cool & Kosher.
Gotta love Spook logic.
But go on telling us how this guy is “different” from corporate media
Oh and ditto for Niger. The whole point of this propgnda video. “
Hey guys, it’s cool that the US is meddling & wrecking shtt in Niger”
@@BESTMOAD im serious man
Watching the footage pissed me off so much. They fought bravely and never abandoned each other. Truly brothers in arms R.I.P.
Isn’t standard ambush procedure to keep moving, why did they stop?
@dingus6317 From what I gathered from the footage they tried as best they could to exfil but got overrun by insurgents on foot and in technicals. They had sustained casualties(likely fatal) while withdrawing in the non armored SUVs.
@@dingus6317we stopped all the time in Iraq. You take any fight you think you can win. It was only a small amount of fire at first. But we had armored vehicles and crew served weapons on every one. Never should have with unarmed pickups
@@dingus6317depends on the situation.
@@FighteroftheNightmanit probably wasn't their 1st firefight and they were used to taking on smaller groups. Unfortunately, it looks like they were betrayed by the chief of Tongo Tongo and he gave info to the rebels. They probably knew the size and strength of the ODA unit and their weapons. Only the skill of the Green Berets and their allies saved them from being massacred. RIP Sergeant Johnson.
My bossmans son enlisted in the USMC around February this year 23’. He had orders to ship out to training sometime around march next year. Seemed stupid long. He gets a call this past monday, hes ship date is now this coming monday, they dont even know what time his plane leaves yet, a seriously frantic move on behalf of the Corps. This kid is smart and can weld so he was told his MOS or whatever changed. Hes no longer a civil engineer, hes a combat engineer effectively immediately for 2 years. This tells me Sam is anticipating breaching a front line soon since thats what combat engineers do. They clear the way for infantry. Install bridges and clear mines and such. Makes me nervous.
Probably going to Poland
@@MrJohnTripperson Maybe. The marines have been eying the pacific a lot. They ditched their tanks because they're no good in island hopping campaigns. America went from wanting to be able to fight a 2 front war just in case to actively planning a 2 front war. America is the Great Satan. @Seal Did he join for $ or a sense of duty? I don't think God will look kindly on Hesshian mercenaries. This one time George Washington crossed the icy deleware on christmas eve just to slit their throats and he will always be remembered as a hero no matter what they say and how many statues of his contemporaries (for now) they tear down. Inshallah one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter, PBUH.
Maybe for the uranium and gold mines there
They prepare and plan ahead to meet anticipated challenges yes. But they are also struggling with recruitment, especially to fill specialized roles. So don’t jump to conclusions, the marines are pretty unlikely to significantly deploy to Europe anyway, if there is a conventional war with Russia they would be needed even more than now to stand to deter China in the pacific. So I wouldn’t worry too much tbh, for the time being anything he’s likely to face danger in, will likely result in nuclear war and end us all anyway.
China is coming....
Excellent video! Somewhat like you, I was an Average Airborne Infantryman, and this situation absolutely smacks of malfeasance by superior officers. Keep up the good work!
How come terrorism has risen 3000% since America started combating terrorism in Africa?
They fund them to make African countries depend on USA and loot their resources. Basically colonization.
We had a pro Muslim president
A dangerous question. 😶
@@tomhenry897This happened in 2017. I wouldn't call Trump a pro Muslim president, tho!🤔
Because America established every terrorist that exists in Africa. Charles Taylor said as much.
Textbook example of why the military has and will continue to have massive problems retaining personnel and attracting new recruits. The brass throwing the lower ranks under the bus is completely dishonorable, but sadly par for the course. The fact that we have any personnel in africa in the first place is grossly disrespectful and wasteful of both our fighting forces and the taxpayers funding these idiotic misadventures.
Oof! Small government is definitely Spare Parts Army akin to Russia although they have plenty of artillery and stand-off weapons
@@luislongoria6621the political class are wasting your lives protecting their profits with violence in far away places, your duty is to protect your country and loved ones from aggressors, but in Africa you have no Aggressors, Hell, most people will try to get into America for work. Just like most grunts in your army.
But how else would America get Uranium from Niger if they don't do it sneakily and pretend they're fighting terrorists
a private who loses a rifle suffers far greater consequences than a general who loses a war." -- Lt. Col. Paul Yingling
that's good news because the GAE aka 'Gay American Empire' hasn't been a force for good NOR defended regular Americans' interests in over 40 years
Close air support is one of the greatest tools modern commanders have at their disposal. Why any mission that might result in enemy contact isn't planned with CAS from the start is beyond me. 😥
The problem is, as this mess and US training of Afghan soldiers shows, there is too much reliance on air support.
@@cplcabs Americans especially are use to seeing their troops with superior fire power and air support. This is the real world were that is not the case at all times.
You only have access to what’s available. Doesn’t matter what you want.
@@cplcabs Green Berets will fucking fight, I have seen countless video footage and reports, Green Berets will mostly take the fight to the enemy, they don't just honker down and rely on air support. As you see in this video, they went for flanks. The problem is, the OP was stupid, they had no CAS or QRF on station.
This sounds like a mission to protect French oil.
Why was requested backup denied?
WTF?
I love how accountability and integrity are hard to find even in the military.
… Above the rank of 0-4 in officer ranks and E-8 in enlisted ranks. Below those ranks accountability is a heavy and inevitable hammer while your head rests on an anvil; it’s very hard to avoid consequences.
No accountability when corrupt politicians run the show, it's how they buy loyalty from the US military leadership..
Crab rolls downhill. If you’ve ever been in the military, which, obviously you haven’t, you would know this and enlisted men get hung out to dry all the time I’m just part of the gig.
23:00 see, this is why I got out. The tendency in the military to pass blame and career damage down to the lowest level limits growth from the top down, both in accountability and in new approaches and energy. I'd wager the stagnation is so Individuals can accomplish their 'personal legacy'. Leaders who will axe their subordinates to save their own skin are playing their leadership too.
Kinda wonder what war would do to these guys
The military is not immune to the big money thrown around by defense contractors. The infamous "Big Leonard" of the Philippines is one case that comes to mind and that was over a Navy fuel contract
remember the Mayaguez "incident" and how the Pentagon brass and politicians said they could do nothing about it and let those marines get butchered by the nice men and women of Pol Pot? or how they handled the vile attack on the USS Liberty or the bombing of the, again, marines in Beirut in 1983? 🙄
Signing up in the first place is already the dumbest idea for yout career imho
The military is more corporate nowadays. That leadership approach left in the early 2000s.
The top brass killed these men.
They were not given appropriate equipment or support.
They should be in prison for their incompetence.
I think they deliberately hamstringed them.
This channel has come a long way. Props my dude
I am glad this isn't a British problem. the words "quagmire" and "hydra" come to mind. You need to be very cautious and learn from British and french past mistakes. I hope Americans actually look at British history at least to avoid our mistakes.
You think the US is acting without the backing and support of the British in anything they do? The city of London is the financial arm and the US is the military arm of the rulers who control the New world order.
It doesn't appear that we even learn from our own mistakes, let alone someone else's
Aren't we, Americans, one of your mistakes. J/k (much love)
Big BS, Murican will helps their dear colonizer friend France once again.
Which is Vietnam 3.0 in a Nutshell
Between the fact we're in Niger due to the French, and had to deal with Afghanistan (who drew those borders again?) makes your comment kinda funny. Seems like you guys just gave up and let somebody else be the international punching bag.
These guys are the best that the US has to offer. Absolutely dispicable to see their leadership be so cavalier with their lives.
They FAFO the Niger troops and others warned them. They believed the hype they are Invincible but fast battle hardened local militias with far more combat experience.
No wonder people trained to our standard get ROFLstomped by the Russians.
You signed your life away when you enlisted...it doesn't matter what tier of fighter you are. You are expendable.
@@TheCastedone Very true, but I still take issue with this seemingly lackadaisical attitude with their lives.
@MrHeavy466 I agree. Higher ups messed up. But they aren't gonna take the blame and blemish their image. I just don't see how their loss of life related to protecting America. If it's securing oil...why, when and where does the average Joe reap the benefits of them being there...gas still expensive.
This has always been a criminally underrated channel. Cappy holds it down with interesting topics, fair analysis and decent humor
True that ^^ Needs more sharing and good word by mouth & wicked wide web 🙂
Wherever there’s oil, there’s the US “protecting that country’s interests except for their own Keystone pipelines.
My cousin swapped places with one of the guys killed during the Tongo Tongo ambush. It was supposed to be an "easy" job, and guy was supposed to go home in a few days to meet his new daughter. So cousin, not knowing enough about the job, traded him an undisclosed "hard" job for an "easy" job, and cousin ended up doing light work while his friends and team members ended up on LiveLeak screaming for support. Cousin was in the heavily armed team that tried to support the TT team and was made to stand down. TT had asked for armored vehicles and armed ISR support along with a QRF team in advance and were denied. Like the video states, command did not expect a major issue and they were sent in bare assed
Big Benghazi vibes from this story in terms of support from superiors. I know the world is complicated so I try not to just say "we should do this" or "shouldn't do that" in terms of geopolitics, but if we ARE going to be playing in the mud we shouldn't be too timid about getting our hands dirty. Too often our best troops are left in unwinnable situations due to the interests of discretion, low profile, or whatever buzz words. Too often it ends up stinking of cover ups, conspiracy, and sell out. That's what led into the Black Hawk Down disaster (proper air cover denied from higher ups) and the Benghazi embassy attack.
good.colonizer
@@iprofox3758 Decolonization was a front to hand control over to the Chinese and Russian communists and it went badly.
🙏 rip
@iprofox3758 you don't understand the definition of the word colonizer
Here we go again. Please Western Powers, let Africans sort out African issues
Western powers basically stealing all their shit is the problem.
Y’all can’t seem to sort them out without falling back to the “biggest gun rules” philosophy, and it always seems to spawn problems for the west too.
Yes. Lol. Let the continent eat itself
We can’t. Need your resources
@mcarrowtime7095 the whole reason they could sort them out was because of western intervention in the first place...when will you lot get this?
The CIA also helped to create the instability in Libya before gaddafi’s unfortunate demise. A fact often left out, we’re always using a little espionage here and there.
In this video that was glosssed over. Gaddaffi was very popular with the Libyan people. Oil dollars were put into free healthcare, education and housing. Then he went and brought up the idea of de-dollarisation...bang. The Saddam tried..bang. Now Russia has got a big gang to do the same. A wounded animal; is the most dangerous.
@@breifne555 Ghadafi had 35 years of prior rebellions and a falling HDI since the mid 80s, his people hated him, don't lie.
@@Mortabluntsure mate
@@breifne555was he was laughed at by educated students hence why he used public executions. 😂
All there online @@Dianasaurthemelonlord7777 Read it and weep, monster lover.
I'm not in the military and only know one person who has been but this channel has allowed me to find a newfound, great appreciation, and love for our service members. Not to mention the appreciation of simply being an American 🇺🇸
Being French I heard of that story but never in such detail. Thank you for that Chris.
I have no words to express my disgust on how disgraceful these soldiers were treated !
If I recall right this is happening with French forces aswell... are men should always be fully supported every time they leave the wire; our govs not permitting attacks on obvious enemies only causes more problems... you can watch war leaks footage of US and French forces fighting in Africa
Why did you guys name them that? Sounds pretty racist not gonna lie. Starting to think Colonia France was doing racisms
😂😂😂😂
@@TryingToWakeUp-qb7iu France has no colonies, in Africa or anywhere else. Read a book, ffs!
@@bobbiemiles-foremaniii8747 tf are you talking about lol
I remember when this happened and hearing how it was the low levels who messed up. Great insight on the whole story and very relevant given the goings on in the country at the moment.
@@Ion-tj6clyou don't know what your talking about there was only one ODA in the field.
The SUV got left behind when the convoy was pulling out to avoid getting out flanked and 3 men were killed.
The other vehicles in the convoy sent men back but it was to late.
Then that group came under heavy fire and lost all their vehicles and had to try and escape through an area covered in bushes.
They were nearly out of ammunition and couldn't get any support and were facing being over run and that's when they started trying to send goodbye messages to their family
This is one of the reasons why I advised my daughter, while they were in high school and then grandsons not to join the military.
You'd think Vietnam would have clued everybody in.
@@cf453 It's very alluring to anyone in a poor area. It's one of the only ways out which is why I think they crash the economy on purpose. If we were all millionaires only patriots would sign up and they also teach people to hate the country so not many of those. People sign up for $. Thinking "I won't get deployed I'll get a specialty" forgetting front lines need specialists. One of the only reasons I didn't sign up to at least some NG level was my FIL a Vietnam vet ways always very against it and he was a very smart wise man so I listened to him. I regret it somedays as people my age and younger with "TBI's" get thousands of $ a month. It's hard to compete with free $. An artillery round went of 3 miles away I'm traumatized for life. That's what they actually claimed in Iraq after Iran shelled something after Trump blew up Kholmeini. Dozens of people claimed and of course were rubber stamped their benefits to prove Trump maimed our soldiers. On the one hand I respect the grind on the other hand I find it impossible to respect the armed forces as a serious fighting force. It's just $ grubbing slores. I bet most of the people on here never dug much into that navy ship that collided with that container vessel or the absolute clown show that was it's officers and situation on deck. Unmanned radar stations. Literal bottles of urine in the command deck area whatever it's called. Like a greentext only it was real.
I was reading a few months ago there were forecasting a shortage in U.S military??? I can only imagine why.
@@GrailArmattoe-2424 That has happened and is only anticipated to get worse every year moving forward. The benefits no longer outweigh the risks.
Wow I always wondered what really happened in this incident! Well done! Excellent video presentation!
I like how carefully you say the name of the country.
thats the only country I won't risk butchering the pronunciation on
@@Taskandpurpose the first thumbnail was better
@@Taskandpurposehow about Nigeria
😁
@@TaskandpurposeLol
Can you imagine wanting so desperately to go into the fight to help your brothers only to be told no by the higher ups? Can’t imagine such a helpless feeling.
Makes you wonder who is the enemy.
I worked in the Sahel. To your question about the troops removing body armor, it was because of the oppressive heat and the quick dehydration of the body in those conditions. I know first hand.
The French Mirages flying low to signal their friendlies must have sounded like such a relief to the SF operators
I never heard of any of this, from any media. Thank you for shining a flash light on this Chris. Love you work, keep it up!
I remember when I first saw the uncensored version of the helmet camera from this operation. This is one of the most tragic and sad videos I had ever watched. The very end of the video literally brought a tear to my eye. Rest in peace to all of those brave men.
what are they doing in Niger does niger poses threat to usa if not then why are they invading a country
Got a link?
@@cf453I know you have no reason to believe me, but the video absolutely Is real. I watched it years ago and don’t remember where I found it, but yeah it’s a hard video to watch. I’m pretty sure there are some censored videos that gives a breakdown of what happened. But the uncensored, especially the ending as the original commentor mentioned is pretty dreadful.
Doesn’t exist
@@cf453bestgore doesnt exist* there fixed it for u
I didn't hear about this entire incident back then, but I"m really happy to see the bit and headline about Mattis backing up the lower ranking soldiers on this. I don't think I've ever read or heard anything negative about him.
Yeah. Because he has a lot of media connections. His hubris cost lives in 2005.
ODA 574 has negative things to say about him.
@@JN1-506what exactly did you expect him to do? I've read the story and no one could give him a bearing on the situation on the ground
sending helicopters into an unknown situation could result in even more lives lost and even worse situation developing, he asked the multiple times
how did they get into contact, are they still in contact, if they are in contact what is the situation on the ground
the green berets responded with "sir we don't think that matters"
@@thelordofcringehubris? what did you expect him to do? based on interviews with the green berets they didnt give him any tactical information at all
they just expected Mattis to blindly send helicopters into a situation he had no knowledge on, he asked them multiple times what situation was and if they were still in contact
even the green berets in their interview stated that "sir we don't think that matters" was their response to Mattis
sending helicopters blindly into a situation can lead to even more casualties which is exactly why the author who published the book you for that information from said he couldn't blame Mattis for the decision
Besides banning the use of British military terms like "kit", all is hunky-dory. Yay, America! (Boo COD) Reece was just that guy from "The Terminator"
Quality of your content keeps going up! Good work
Thank you for your service, cappy and team. Both prior service and your current by bringing little known issues to the forefront and using your platform for good. 10/10 pats on the back for you
That's right gotta have mindless pawns to serve the kings.
Damn Cappy. The way you told this story made me cry. Always so proud of my brothers fighting for each others lives. Thanks for what you do.
Say what you want about Gaddafi. Libya was the most stable nation in Africa until NATO and the US decided they needed a dose of "freedom" from 15000ft.
One of the most stable and most rapidly growing, with the intent to open up a gold-backed currency independent of the US Dollar, Franc, Pound, Yuan, or Euro.
I kind of agree, but he did kind of go insane toward the end as well. There was increasing protests and he was just massacring the shit out of them. Not popular in his own country. Not saying that it was worth taking him out, but no tears to shed for the piece of shit either.
@@canadianreserveyou have been blinded by the western propaganda, used to help justify the attack on Libya.
Where America has been. That place will never know peace ever again, " spreading democracy"
The country was in the middle of a revolution like most of north africa and the middle east, it was during the whole Arab Spring, not saying the west has no responsibility, but it was a bloody dictatorship trying to prevent being overthrown.
Its wrong for our government to place blame on operators, especially when they are the ones who order our operators to do things they shouldn't do. Like reconoidering a base with a far superior force, no drone coverage, no backup support or arty support, no extraction plan, and especially when other units are denied to assist. That is the best way I know for operators to end up POW's. This falls directly on command for poor planning.
How these brave men were thrown under the bus by their leaders is beyond disgraceful...
Except that didn't happen
😅😅😂
Brave how? They ran like rats lol. Salute to the brave nation of Niger fighting foreign occupation
I can't even imagine what it must have felt to go on a recon mission get ambush, call for help, be denied help and then saved by the French.
There was some confusion about regulated airspace yet France had the nearest QRF
Being rescued by the French = the ultimate embarrassment!
@@xRepoUKx tell me you never opened a History bokk without telling me you never openned a History book lmao
@@Pratt_ lol, I know quite a bit. Like how France's most famous general was not even French but Corsican 😉
This keeps happening OVER and OVER ,yet there never seems to be a real discussion about changes in protocol or operating procedures . There is the fallout but never any change ,as if this is just the way it goes . good vid , again
Regime change never accounts for turncoats except the one successful French operation where suspicious friendlies turned IS were tracked with a drone and eliminated with UN armor
That's because you are nothing more than a number in the military. An expendable asset is no different than a million-dollar bomb being deployed. We'll replace you with another one. We always do. Been going on for decades. The only difference is the technologies we have today to expose it regularly, but it's not going to change anything. Just remember it when talking to your kids about joining the military.
❤ Chris, thank you for your amazing content.
There are documentaries/videos about this online.
The operators were denied having significant supporting firepower, denied air support, and acting on poor intelligence.
They were attacked by a numerically superior force, and frankly, is a testimony to their training that they survived as long as they did, even when, during the fog of battle, they were separated.
A tragedy. Once again senior leadership blaming the troops in the field, sending them into a hornet's nest with little support, then trying to cover their pwn asses.
Those soldiers who fought and died that day are true heroes... fighting to the end.
Can't say the same for their senior leadership. Cowards trying to avoid responsibility.
this is why sending any more troops to ignite bigger conflict is gonna be big blunder... small troops, well trained, have way higher chance of survival even with bad leadership but the more troops put there, the easier target they gonna be. It is barely 2 years since disastrous end of afghanistan and lot of people died for same leadership reasons there.
What’s the name of the documentary
Military bureaucracy and idiots in Washington as usual are the problem not our military
ODA 3212 Redacted. @@moneydroplobby5059
when the grunts are punished for doing what they were told to do, you know its a cover-up
Yup. When higher ups blame the dead then you know something smells.
Super interesting. So much research and so well presented. Thank you!
Very well explained bro 🤟🏻
Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger did the people of their countries and pf Africa at large very proud by finally rising up and consolidating their demands for a free and independent West Africa that can determine its own political and economic policy without interference from the greedy and murderous West. Their approach may be unpalatable to those foreign forces who stand to lose their unjust gains in the continent but it is a just approach. This is all that matters. This is all that matters.
you know that wagner is behined these coups right?
So clearly they are russian backed, best way to deal with wagner is to just make the battle of cocona fields look like a fucking tea party.
US and France = West. Roger that. Those countries won't likely stay stable for long as long as US decides to stick their greedy fat fingers in there. At this point Africa is fucked beyond belief, either it's US going around causing coups left and right or country gets relatively stable and they become financially enslaved by China.
Yes because overthrowing democracies for a junta is much more free and fair.
@@bizbe4465 Better than overthrowing democracies for oil and mineral resources theft by the Imperial West.
@@bizbe4465democracy doesn't equal good. These puppet democracies sold all of their countries resources to Europe and the US for cheap and left people starving with no infrastructure.
A family member of mine was supposed to go to Mali. After boarding the aircraft they were put on a ground hold for 30 minutes. After that the lead officer on the plan told everyone to get off the plane for a meeting. Turns out the mission had been canceled after they boarded the plane but before the plane had clearance to take off. I found out later that there was a "change" in government in Mali.
Stay safe. Take care. Have fun. 😎
Haha take THAT French Mali right? It's okay it'll be Malian France soon.
@@Drak976??? The French footprint is being wiped out of Africa. Mali has done a good job so far. Wake up it is a new day
Mind your beeswax.....
Disgusting how top officials blamed the lower level soldiers that put their lives on the line.
May the fallen soldiers rest in peace, condolences to their families
Thank you for the clear and concise story telling, happy to have learned about this
Just as we don’t investigate ourselves, the military (and police and all organizations) should not investigate their own.
There should always be distance between investigators and those under investigation.
Special Forces Green Berets are always deployed everywhere, to maintain relations with friendly forces in case actions are necessary and generally leverage local forces to achieve goals, through Foreign Internal Defense and UW missions, which is their primary purpose. Other countries may use mercenaries, US uses Army SF who use locals.
When it comes to the military machine, one hand washes the other. If Army had to clean up their own mess, SEALS would be out of a job
@@luislongoria6621in lone survivor it was the army rescuing the SEALS
US use massively Contractor for train locals but they send them only when it’s too dangerous
@@youngdenard264 What are your specific examples of this and what companies? Also training in what capacity, and by whose authority, for what purpose?
They are there to protect the interest of their country. Looting and stealing resources .
With the existence of films like Lone Survivor and 13 Hours, I'm still surprised the Tongo Tongo Ambush hasn't been immortalized on the silver screen yet.
When I saw the bodycam footage, particularly when it all starts to go sideways and after, it's powerful stuff.
Yea that footage was rough
🇳🇪🇧🇫 Amanda ✊🏾
Probably because they all die at the end, there’s no happy ending for them to twist into a story
As the other comment said. The movies you mentioned are very patriotic, where in one way or another, America won. But in this story, all of them died, and if a movie were shown about the encounter would surely bring criticism to the government that would lessen military support, including foreign efforts. And the blaming game after the clash was even more offensive.
RIP to all soldiers.
@@jjhayalol 13 hours literally has the American survivors criticizing the government. The one who saved them aren't even Americans, but Libyans.
this is really interesting news. keep it up your my favorite channel.
As soon as he said "US help overthrow the Dictator Gaddafi " lol I knew the territory we walking into..
I watched the footage of this a while back, it's interesting to hear exactly what happened, and sad.
Thanks for the video, Cappy.
Love your content Cappi.....Outstanding work!.......Carry on!
Love your investigative journalism reports , Chris! You remind me of another channel that I watch which has commentaries on the War in the Ukraine by Retired Army Col. Macgregor. He clearly states that the Ukraine is losing the war against Russia which is in contradiction to mainstream media reports.
I was there last year, thank you for covering for this
It's always a good sign when people take responsibility for their country. Sometimes the voice of the people in the streets is more democratic than a constitution they don't participate in shaping.
First human comment I’ve seen so far.
Democracy is absolute. If Niger wants the Russians, we have to allow it. Fact is 300 years of western influence have made it a country that jockies for worst country alongside Haiti and Afghanistan, despite it being rich in resources and powering Europe near singlehandedly.
I like the fact you mentioned the unnamed Niger soldiers who died as well - especially because they were literally fighting against their oppression. Good job.
Well done video. Good job
Thank you for supporting our National heroes by telling their stories to the people of this US Republic; we the people need to know all about the wrong doing that the DOD failed to keep track and neglected to truthfully report stupid decisions from big wigs CO and then blamed our heroes for their failures! Thank you for your support! We need more support from people like you! (Our National Heroes doesn’t need any FUBAR situation like this)
You're just getting better and better with the authoritativeness of your presentations. Also, love the edge of the report. Well done in your mission to enlighten us.
No he’s not. He told a bunch of falsehoods. More like western propaganda regarding Niger.
Thanks I’m trying to improve ! . But yeah I wouldn’t call what I do authoritative , Im just trying to figure out what’s happening im pretty in the darkl
Thoughts with the American forces and relatives.
We have to face facts. What is going on in West Africa is complicated. No matter how simplified people try to make it look to audiences
He’s speaking about what he heard not what he knows.
It is easy. Go out. close ALL your bases abroad. You only make things worse.
@@germancarrasco2028 No, because that would create a power vacuum that far more nefarious parties (Iran, China, Russia, etc.) would be all too happy to fill.
Jelly Roll, Need a Favor anthem
@@MelodusDethicus so what stay by force , they want you out , they asked you to leave . its their choice what they do in their country and who they allow in.
Excellent coverage.
I’ve actually seen the footage it was leaked well before Any of this came to light and I remember specifically coming across it on Reddit like 3 or so years ago. I can also admit and testify that they went out like true soldiers and when times were rough the were tough until the end. True heroes
How can I find this?
@@SaraSara-oe6il it's on wikipedia in the infobox for the battle
@@SaraSara-oe6il there you go that guy had it, personally I found it on Reddit, but the subreddit got taken down.
It's crazy how fast Niger's population is growing. in 1960 it was 3 million and today its 25 million with 99% of that growth being natural and with next to no immigration. Today its birth rate still remains at its 1960s level at 7.0 children per family but with a much higher life expectancy.
That's actually a big problem.
That will lead to war and massacre.
@@pierredelato5356not a problem at all. Africa has all the natural resources to survive, they just need to get other folks out.
@@princesstaleia9259 having the natural ressources doesn't mean they'll survive...
Must never saw Africa to think that it will end up good for them.
Between the ethnics and socials tension it will only end up in massacre if occidentals aren't helpinh them
Maybe other places in Africa have the natural resources Niger does not. It is dry almost impossible to grow anything. Also one or two uranium mines is not enough to support 25 million people. It is cheaper to mine other places that have better infrastructure.
@@mshepard2264 the secret is to keep digging, there's water,etc. Why do think other countries have this vested interest. Africans are finally waking up.
The frustration of the other operators forced to standby knowing their fellow brothers in arms were getting the shit kicked out of them by some amateurs that had to outnumber them 10 to 1. It must have been gut wrenching
Very thorough! Good job, sir.
"The french saved our bacon " Unknown US source.
I read the thumbnail so wrong 😂
Bruh was like "this will def get clicks"
He knew what he was doing lol
It's a usual occurrence in t h o s e kinds of neighborhoods
Excellent coverage. The official explanation never sat right with me. Great job Cappy.
Love the digital visuals of the battle
Knowing that the US SF on the ground -who were sent on a risky mission had to rely on French air support from another country and had unarmed drones makes my blood boil. Those are bad decisions that were made at a much higher level.
This is another great video!
I feel bad about risking SF in nameless places for they don’t get recognition for their sacrifices. Yet, much like those in riskier espionage jobs, one person in the right place can make as much impact as a battalion in theater later in time. SF will have to bear with bloody noses from time to time to prevent greater blood loss in the future.
Looking forward to your next clip on NIGER Coup. It’s looking like countries are stacking up over this one, like two gangs in the street squaring off each other… I’ll be make sure to watch your video twice.
Pay attention to the fact the people aren't waving Stars And Stripes in the streets.
We ask so much of our military personnel.
Especially those who have served and continue to serve overseas.
From those small quick acting SF’s teams to Air assets (such as myself), to intelligence and all support personnel.
As I have gotten older I realize just how much we ask of our young people to serve in areas far away from home.
To all those back home in the U.S. please don’t forget that these service personnel are our next door neighbors and to never forget about them and their needs upon their return home.
✌🏽🇺🇸🙏
@@markbranham7355 you make some valid points for sure!
@@markbranham7355or borders are no longer like they use too be. Our citizens and economy rely on other countries and economies so it's in our interest to help our partners remain stable so we can.
Nice job. Very well done.
Another great report mate! In Australia between the end of the Vietnam war & the global war on terror our SF units (SASR) were looking for something to do (at that stage the commando units were both reserve units). Some of their officers even suggested they could go into foreign countries and hunt down drug operations etc. They were after all a recon force with not much to do & Australia was busy peace keeping. They did maintain a CT capability & may have also conducted some training overseas but it was all low key, with some even questioning why they still existed. Then the war on terror started and suddenly political leaders discovered that they could use SF forces (including a new regular army commander unit created out of one of the reserve units), to participate in operations without the normal media exposure that happens when battle groups deploy!
They became known as the force of choice - with the rest of the army playing a support role. Unfortunately since then some less than professional (& legal) activities have come to light and senior commanders have managed to avoid the consequences similar to that general in Africa.
I think SF are considered a relatively cheap & low risk by our politicians but I really question the use of them conducting operations that are more than just deep recon, sabotage & other dirty trick warfare.
Again excellent video
Actual SF (not the cocky media attention seekers like seals) are force multipliers. Instead of sending a battalion of soldiers, establishing a base etc etc and engaging in combat you send a squad or a company of actual sf who use very few resources and do intense damage to the enemy
@@charlesreid9337 yep when the situation calls for it, I agree. But without support, this sought of thing happens. There was an Australian battle in Vietnam, where a company bumped into a much larger force (look up Long Tan) and prevailed through excellent leadership, bravery & training and also what’s not really talked about - the backup of a taskforce with arty, armour and helo’s. Without that support they wouldn’t have survived.
Now in this case they didn’t have access to alternative forms of support, once the choppers were grounded due to weather. So yes with support a definite force multiplier. But without?
And it was very sad that the families were told different rumours and stories - that should never have happened!
Finally at the end of the day it was protecting western assets - again
yep unfortunately they became very popular with politicians in that period and well more or less given carte blanche to do whatever they wanted. also seems to have been a global problem with almost everybody in iraq and afghanistan to some degree having some less than savoury activities by their special forces exposed.
Excellent reporting as always. Even more respect for Mattis - thankfully he had the balls ( and the power) to keep the higher-ranking officers from dumping on the lower-level officers.
Yet they did and weren’t punished
@@tomhenry897 Yes they were punished, Perozeni's superior LTC David Painter had his COL promotion denied, and Painter's boss COL Brad Moses has his promotion to BG denied too.
That thumbnail made me really confused then i remembered the slur is 2 G's not one lmao
You bring more information about that continent in 2 episodes than western education and journalism did in my lifetime. Thanks and please shed more light.
The bodycam footage of this ambush is still some of the most disturbing I've ever seen, even after everything coming out of Ukraine.
They fought to the very end.
As a 100% disabled and homebound, decorated, combat veteran, we have no business being there, or anywhere else. We aren't the good guys.
O'Barry created Isis.
As an African comments like this is why I don't hate American vets. They've been to most vocal at exposing these foreign wars. As I understand most sign up for genuine patriotic duties but the leaders are the problem. Wish you have a great day.
All the borders England and France drew were problematic as hell. And conflicts have festered in all of these regions since.
But it's America's fault D:
@@economiccrisis9267It is partly Americas fault
Exactly and using them as vassals US is responsible for their behavior!
Conflicts festered before. New to African history?
@@marcosburgos8415 that's a big nope
All this for someone else’s oil when we have plenty of oil here. We need to use all our energy resources for our own security. Thanks for explaining this and thanks to all who served in this very difficult mission.
I didn't even know this happened.
I wasn't into geopolitics back then.
It’s all on video too
It was a big deal at the time; a bunch of supposedly badass US SOF folks killed by 'rebels'.
It was briefly mentioned on network news while "Crooked Hillary" was smashing her unsecured phones with a hammer over Benghazi
The Dictator Gadaffi?? Strange how the word is attached to anyone that opposes US
I did enjoy your video but as an African I always wonder if US/France is in these countries because of the extremists or because of the oil and resources you so briefly mentioned?
Likewise, it was written form a western perspective and was misleading in terms of that issue. France and the USA fund these renegade groups and destabilisw the region in order to justify their presence in the region otherwise they were there to secure the looting of Niger's uranium and resources.
They are the so-called terrorist groups, they need a reason to justify their presence in the country/region and continue exploiting it until the end of the natural resources.
During Gaddafi's era, Libyans used to have free villas, free school, free water and electricity, free health care and interest free loans. Gaddafi's government used to import food and other necessities during the unjust imbargo imposed by the west, and distribute those goods in the Libyan markets for half price of purchase.
If he was a dictator, then what do you call your politicians than have killed coz you cannot afford treatment or you die in the street coz you are homeless, or you go to jail coz you cannot pay your school loan...?
The footage from this ambush is some of the most actually heartbreaking shit I’ve ever seen, and the screams stick with you bad
The screams were added by isis to demoralize the soldiers. In fact the original unedited video didn’t have any audio.