On March 2, 2002, Airforce PJ Jason Cunningham was killed during a combat rescue operation in Afghanistan. On the remote mountain top of Takur Ghar, Jason gave his life so "that other's may live". During the initial hours of Operation Anaconda, Navy SEALs attempted to insert onto Takur Ghar and while exiting their helo were met with withering enemy fire. Navy Seal Niel Roberts fell from the ramp of the helo onto the ground. The helo, suffering badly, crashed on the desert floor, four miles from Roberts who was now in a fight for his life against Taliban fighters. Niel was alone and even though he was eventually captured and killed, he was not left alone for long.
Several attempts were made to get back to the mountain top to rescue Niel. Each attempt was met with devastating fire. QRF forces responded and an additional helo crashed on the summit. Jason began treating the gruesomely wounded men as the battle raged. While treating the men, Jason was struck with a bullet that destroyed his liver and mortally wounded him. He disregarded his own pain and continued his life saving efforts. Jason administered plasma to the soldiers, the same plasma that could have saved his life. All soldiers that Jason treated lived at the expense of his life.
The battle of Takur Ghar is a classic example of special operations winning "the war". Navy Seals, AirForce PJs, Air Force Combat Controllers, 160th SOAR and Rangers all working together to get "it" done. Surgical air strikes are great but the time comes when you have to send men, not bullets down range into the death ground to make it happen.
The battle of Takur Ghar raged for 17 hours and a total of 7 special operations soldiers were killed. These soldiers gave there lives to bring Niel home. The enemy was killed and Takur Ghar belonged to US forces. Although a high price was paid, that is what these professionals do. They offer their lives so that we can enjoy freedom and never have to step into the dark scary world of combat.
If you want a good example of what goes into the creation of a special operations soldier and their sacrifices to become the elite soldiers of the world, then I suggest the following reading: Dick Couch documents in great detail the making of a warrior in his books, "The Warrior Elite", "The Finishing School", "Down Range" and "Chosen Soldier". If you want a detailed description of the events of Takur Ghar then I suggest reading "None Braver" and "Roberts Ridge".
"The Lord said, whom shall I send and who will go for us? I said, here I am Lord, send me."
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