GRAPHIC VIDEO: RECON MARINES REPEL TALIBAN AMBUSH

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This is some of the more footage from a 3 hour long patrol in Upper Sangin Valley. The video begins just after Alpha Element is engaged in what turns out to be a small preliminary ambush.


A word about tactics:

The overwhelming majority of casualties in this area were from IED's. These were usually located in channelized areas between buildings and walls (where there was cover from gunfire). We stuck to open fields because it was easier to repel enemy fighters and treat gunshot wounds than it was to find IED's and treat blown off limbs.



*Side note: Names are muted for privacy, and aftermath footage was left out as a courtesy to both the viewers and the fallen (no Marine casualties).