42 C. J. Chivers, "Karzai Cites Taliban Shift to Terror Attacks," C. J. Chivers, "Karzai Cites Taliban Shift to Terror Attacks," New York Times, New York Times, June 20, 2007. June 20, 2007.

43 Named after the weapon called a mace, a kind of bludgeoning club. Two other observation posts in the area were named at the same time: OP Hatchet and OP Brick. Named after the weapon called a mace, a kind of bludgeoning club. Two other observation posts in the area were named at the same time: OP Hatchet and OP Brick.

44 First Lieutenant Matthew Ferrara, twenty-four, of Torrance, California; Sergeant Jeffrey Mersman, twenty-three, of Parker, Kansas; Specialist Sean Langevin, twenty-three, of Walnut Creek, California; Specialist Lester Roque, twenty-three, of Torrance, California; Private First Cla.s.s Joseph Lancour, twenty-one, of Swartz Creek, Michigan; and Marine Sergeant Phillip Bocks, twenty-eight, of Troy, Michigan. First Lieutenant Matthew Ferrara, twenty-four, of Torrance, California; Sergeant Jeffrey Mersman, twenty-three, of Parker, Kansas; Specialist Sean Langevin, twenty-three, of Walnut Creek, California; Specialist Lester Roque, twenty-three, of Torrance, California; Private First Cla.s.s Joseph Lancour, twenty-one, of Swartz Creek, Michigan; and Marine Sergeant Phillip Bocks, twenty-eight, of Troy, Michigan.

45 Actually "Want," but this book will use the more common version of the name. Actually "Want," but this book will use the more common version of the name.

46 Named after Sergeant Jay Blessing, an Army Ranger killed by an IED attack in 2003. Named after Sergeant Jay Blessing, an Army Ranger killed by an IED attack in 2003.

47 Afghan media reported the casualties as follows: Dr. Nematullah, a doctor at Bella Village's clinic; Kalam Ma.s.si, a guard at the clinic; Naeem Ma.s.si, a clinic nurse; Sonkra, a landowner near Bella; Rafiullah, Sonkra's son; Sonkra's wife; Noorullah, Rafiullah's son; one of Sonkra's grandchildren, who was eight months old; Sulaiman Klorik, a shopkeeper; Hazrat Ali, a driver; Shoaib Sondi, a shopkeeper; Kafayatullah, a driver; Tabgul, a driver; Dr. Najeebullah, a doctor at Bella's clinic; Sanaullah, a shopkeeper; and two other civilians. Wounded were Wiaullah Muraluddin, a landowner near Bella; Dr. Zainab, a female employee at Bella's clinic; Dr. Nematullah's daughter Asma, eight; Abdullah, a son of Mira Jan, a shopkeeper in Bella; Rohullah, a worker in Waygal; and Ansarullah, a shopkeeper. Afghan media reported the casualties as follows: Dr. Nematullah, a doctor at Bella Village's clinic; Kalam Ma.s.si, a guard at the clinic; Naeem Ma.s.si, a clinic nurse; Sonkra, a landowner near Bella; Rafiullah, Sonkra's son; Sonkra's wife; Noorullah, Rafiullah's son; one of Sonkra's grandchildren, who was eight months old; Sulaiman Klorik, a shopkeeper; Hazrat Ali, a driver; Shoaib Sondi, a shopkeeper; Kafayatullah, a driver; Tabgul, a driver; Dr. Najeebullah, a doctor at Bella's clinic; Sanaullah, a shopkeeper; and two other civilians. Wounded were Wiaullah Muraluddin, a landowner near Bella; Dr. Zainab, a female employee at Bella's clinic; Dr. Nematullah's daughter Asma, eight; Abdullah, a son of Mira Jan, a shopkeeper in Bella; Rohullah, a worker in Waygal; and Ansarullah, a shopkeeper.

48 As quoted in Greg Jaffe, "The Battle of Wanat," As quoted in Greg Jaffe, "The Battle of Wanat," Washington Post, Washington Post, October 4, 2009. For details about the battle of Wanat, the author is indebted to Jaffe's reporting, the work of the U.S. Army Combat Studies Inst.i.tute, and Mark Bowden's "Echoes from a Distant Battlefield," which appeared in the December 2011 issue of October 4, 2009. For details about the battle of Wanat, the author is indebted to Jaffe's reporting, the work of the U.S. Army Combat Studies Inst.i.tute, and Mark Bowden's "Echoes from a Distant Battlefield," which appeared in the December 2011 issue of Vanity Fair Vanity Fair.

49 The dead were First Lieutenant Jonathan Brostrom, twenty-four, of Honolulu, Hawaii; Sergeant Israel Garcia, twenty-four, of Long Beach, California; Corporal Jonathan R. Ayers, twenty-four, of Snellville, Georgia; Corporal Jason M. Bogar, twenty-five, of Seattle, Washington; Corporal Jason D. Hovater, twenty-four, of Clinton, Tennessee; Corporal Matthew B. Phillips, twenty-seven, of Jasper, Georgia; Corporal Pruitt A. Rainey, twenty-two, of Haw River, North Carolina; Corporal Gunnar W. Zwilling, twenty, of Florissant, Missouri; and Specialist Sergio S. Abad, twenty-one, of Morganfield, Kentucky. The dead were First Lieutenant Jonathan Brostrom, twenty-four, of Honolulu, Hawaii; Sergeant Israel Garcia, twenty-four, of Long Beach, California; Corporal Jonathan R. Ayers, twenty-four, of Snellville, Georgia; Corporal Jason M. Bogar, twenty-five, of Seattle, Washington; Corporal Jason D. Hovater, twenty-four, of Clinton, Tennessee; Corporal Matthew B. Phillips, twenty-seven, of Jasper, Georgia; Corporal Pruitt A. Rainey, twenty-two, of Haw River, North Carolina; Corporal Gunnar W. Zwilling, twenty, of Florissant, Missouri; and Specialist Sergio S. Abad, twenty-one, of Morganfield, Kentucky.

50 The first investigation into what happened at Wanat found no fault with the chain of command. A second investigation, conducted at the behest of First Lieutenant Brostrom's father, a retired Army colonel, concluded with letters of reprimand for Preysler, Ostlund, and Myer for failing to prepare adequate defenses for the outpost. A third investigation by the U.S. Army revoked those letters of reprimand, with General Charles Campbell insisting that the officers had not been negligent. "To criminalize command decisions in a theater of complex combat operations is a grave step indeed," he wrote. "It is also unnecessary, particularly in this case. It is possible for officers to err in judgment-and to thereby incur censure-without violating a criminal statute. This is particularly true where the errors are those of omission, where the standards come from multiple nonpunitive doctrinal publications, where there is less than complete and certain knowledge of enemy capabilities and intent, and where commanders enjoy wide discretion in their exercise of their command prerogatives and responsibilities." The first investigation into what happened at Wanat found no fault with the chain of command. A second investigation, conducted at the behest of First Lieutenant Brostrom's father, a retired Army colonel, concluded with letters of reprimand for Preysler, Ostlund, and Myer for failing to prepare adequate defenses for the outpost. A third investigation by the U.S. Army revoked those letters of reprimand, with General Charles Campbell insisting that the officers had not been negligent. "To criminalize command decisions in a theater of complex combat operations is a grave step indeed," he wrote. "It is also unnecessary, particularly in this case. It is possible for officers to err in judgment-and to thereby incur censure-without violating a criminal statute. This is particularly true where the errors are those of omission, where the standards come from multiple nonpunitive doctrinal publications, where there is less than complete and certain knowledge of enemy capabilities and intent, and where commanders enjoy wide discretion in their exercise of their command prerogatives and responsibilities."

51 p.r.o.nounced "YES-kess." p.r.o.nounced "YES-kess."

52 Not his real name. Not his real name.

53 Not his real name. Not his real name.

54 The lack of IEDs was likely due to the fact that the Kamdesh insurgency was ultimately led by local Nuristanis, who did not understand the technical side of IED construction and emplacement. They knew more about, and were more comfortable with, direct-fire ambushes-the same tactic that had been employed to oust the Soviets years earlier. Moreover, IEDs would have destroyed the only road there was, a supply route used more by insurgents-especially after Kolenda stopped ground resupply-than it was by U.S. and Afghan government forces. The lack of IEDs was likely due to the fact that the Kamdesh insurgency was ultimately led by local Nuristanis, who did not understand the technical side of IED construction and emplacement. They knew more about, and were more comfortable with, direct-fire ambushes-the same tactic that had been employed to oust the Soviets years earlier. Moreover, IEDs would have destroyed the only road there was, a supply route used more by insurgents-especially after Kolenda stopped ground resupply-than it was by U.S. and Afghan government forces.

55 "Six" is how the commander is commonly referred to over the radio. "Six" is how the commander is commonly referred to over the radio.

56 After a few days' recovery at Bagram, Briley would serve out the rest of his deployment at Forward Operating Base Bostick, replacing his commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ty Edwards. One week before Briley was wounded, Edwards himself had been shot in the head in an ambush-an injury that he, too, survived. After a few days' recovery at Bagram, Briley would serve out the rest of his deployment at Forward Operating Base Bostick, replacing his commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ty Edwards. One week before Briley was wounded, Edwards himself had been shot in the head in an ambush-an injury that he, too, survived.

57 Not his real name. Not his real name.

58 Not his real name. Not his real name.

59 Shir would ultimately be remanded to Afghan custody. Three years after Yllescas was targeted, according to intelligence sources, Amin Shir was still being held by the Afghan government and awaiting trial. Shir would ultimately be remanded to Afghan custody. Three years after Yllescas was targeted, according to intelligence sources, Amin Shir was still being held by the Afghan government and awaiting trial.

60 Following events from afar, Kolenda wondered how much of 6-4's skepticism about the Hundred-Man Shura became self-fulfilling. Many of the unit's leaders had never seemed willing to listen and learn, he thought, and being a new unit, they had a lot of basics to sort out. "Sadly, the insurgents achieved their intended goal of driving a wedge between the people and the Americans and Afghan forces when they [targeted] Rob," he later wrote. Following events from afar, Kolenda wondered how much of 6-4's skepticism about the Hundred-Man Shura became self-fulfilling. Many of the unit's leaders had never seemed willing to listen and learn, he thought, and being a new unit, they had a lot of basics to sort out. "Sadly, the insurgents achieved their intended goal of driving a wedge between the people and the Americans and Afghan forces when they [targeted] Rob," he later wrote.

61 As first recalled by National Security Adviser Tom Donilon to David Sanger, "Charting Obama's Journey to a Shift on Afghanistan," As first recalled by National Security Adviser Tom Donilon to David Sanger, "Charting Obama's Journey to a Shift on Afghanistan," New York Times, New York Times, May 19, 2012. May 19, 2012.

62 Although as a candidate, Obama had run against his predecessor's foreign policy, he not only embraced t Bush's military command structure, in Mullen and Petraeus, but also took the unusual step of asking Bush's secretary of defense, Robert Gates, and White House adviser General Lute to stay on board. Although as a candidate, Obama had run against his predecessor's foreign policy, he not only embraced t Bush's military command structure, in Mullen and Petraeus, but also took the unusual step of asking Bush's secretary of defense, Robert Gates, and White House adviser General Lute to stay on board.

63 Governor Nuristani's immediate replacement was Hazrat Din Noor, who died in a car crash in September 2008. Badr followed Noor in the post. Governor Nuristani's immediate replacement was Hazrat Din Noor, who died in a car crash in September 2008. Badr followed Noor in the post.

64 The name was taken from the Pashto word The name was taken from the Pashto word baryalay, baryalay, meaning "successful." meaning "successful."

65 Sergeant James Pirtle of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Specialist Ryan King of Dallas, Georgia, both of whom had spent some time at Observation Post Fritsche earlier in their deployment. William Vile was from Philadelphia; he had served in the Korangal with 1-32 Infantry a couple of years before. The Latvians killed were Sergeant Voldemrs Anevics and Private First Cla.s.s Andrejs Merkuevs. They were the second and third Latvian troops to die in Afghanistan during this war. Sergeant James Pirtle of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Specialist Ryan King of Dallas, Georgia, both of whom had spent some time at Observation Post Fritsche earlier in their deployment. William Vile was from Philadelphia; he had served in the Korangal with 1-32 Infantry a couple of years before. The Latvians killed were Sergeant Voldemrs Anevics and Private First Cla.s.s Andrejs Merkuevs. They were the second and third Latvian troops to die in Afghanistan during this war.

66 COIN was Army shorthand for "counterinsurgency." COIN was Army shorthand for "counterinsurgency."

67 The History of the Peloponnesian War, The History of the Peloponnesian War, by Thucydides, written in 431 B.C.E., translated by Richard Crawley. The quote is from book 2, chapter 40. by Thucydides, written in 431 B.C.E., translated by Richard Crawley. The quote is from book 2, chapter 40.

68 Captain Sean Grimes, thirty-one, of Southfield, Michigan; Sergeant First Cla.s.s Donald W. Eacho, thirty-eight, of Black Creek, Wisconsin; Corporal Stephen M. McGowan, twenty-six, of Newark, Delaware; and Specialist Wade Michael Twyman, twenty-seven, of Vista, California. Captain Sean Grimes, thirty-one, of Southfield, Michigan; Sergeant First Cla.s.s Donald W. Eacho, thirty-eight, of Black Creek, Wisconsin; Corporal Stephen M. McGowan, twenty-six, of Newark, Delaware; and Specialist Wade Michael Twyman, twenty-seven, of Vista, California.

69 Scherer underwent twenty-six separate operations and had to relearn how to walk, talk, and even swallow. "Whatever hit my brain scrambled it," he told me in a 2011 interview, after his remarkable recovery. Scherer underwent twenty-six separate operations and had to relearn how to walk, talk, and even swallow. "Whatever hit my brain scrambled it," he told me in a 2011 interview, after his remarkable recovery.

70 Jacops ultimately lost seven teeth from the right side of his mouth-six on top and one on the bottom-plus part of his jawbone. He kept his eye and would eventually return to 3-61 Cav. Jacops ultimately lost seven teeth from the right side of his mouth-six on top and one on the bottom-plus part of his jawbone. He kept his eye and would eventually return to 3-61 Cav.

71 In a June 7, 2012, In a June 7, 2012, Rolling Stone Rolling Stone story by Michael Hastings, Bergdahl was revealed to have been completely disillusioned by the war, having sent his parents an email shortly before his disappearance that said, "Life is way too short to care for the d.a.m.nation of others, as well as to spend it helping fools with their ideas that are wrong. I have seen their ideas and I am ashamed to even be American.... I am sorry for everything here. These people need help, yet what they get is the most conceited country in the world telling them that they are nothing and they are stupid, that they have no idea how to live." He then walked off his base and was ultimately captured by Taliban insurgents. As of the summer of 2012, he was still missing in action, though there were reports of negotiations between ISAF and the Taliban to free him. story by Michael Hastings, Bergdahl was revealed to have been completely disillusioned by the war, having sent his parents an email shortly before his disappearance that said, "Life is way too short to care for the d.a.m.nation of others, as well as to spend it helping fools with their ideas that are wrong. I have seen their ideas and I am ashamed to even be American.... I am sorry for everything here. These people need help, yet what they get is the most conceited country in the world telling them that they are nothing and they are stupid, that they have no idea how to live." He then walked off his base and was ultimately captured by Taliban insurgents. As of the summer of 2012, he was still missing in action, though there were reports of negotiations between ISAF and the Taliban to free him.

72 p.r.o.nounced as "STEFF-in." p.r.o.nounced as "STEFF-in."

73 In the Army's cla.s.sification system for lunar illumination, Red Illume refers to those times when the moon is not visible at all; Amber Illume to when it's partly showing; and Green Illume to when it's full. By May 2009, helicopters wouldn't fly to COP Keating during Green or Amber Illume, only during Red. In the Army's cla.s.sification system for lunar illumination, Red Illume refers to those times when the moon is not visible at all; Amber Illume to when it's partly showing; and Green Illume to when it's full. By May 2009, helicopters wouldn't fly to COP Keating during Green or Amber Illume, only during Red.

74 Two years before, Fabrizi's sons Jason Allen, nine, and Tyler, six, had lost their stepfather, Specialist Ryan Bell, twenty-one, of Colville, Washington, after he and five other soldiers were killed by an IED in Samarra, Iraq. Two years before, Fabrizi's sons Jason Allen, nine, and Tyler, six, had lost their stepfather, Specialist Ryan Bell, twenty-one, of Colville, Washington, after he and five other soldiers were killed by an IED in Samarra, Iraq.

75 This att.i.tude and these advisers would ultimately bring about the end of McChrystal's military career. He resigned in the summer of 2010, after This att.i.tude and these advisers would ultimately bring about the end of McChrystal's military career. He resigned in the summer of 2010, after Rolling Stone Rolling Stone published "The Runaway General" by Michael Hastings, in which the general and hisadvisers were quoted making a number of disparaging comments about officials in the Obama administration, from President Obama himself to Vice President Biden to Jones and on and on. McChrystal was replaced as commander of ISAF by Petraeus. published "The Runaway General" by Michael Hastings, in which the general and hisadvisers were quoted making a number of disparaging comments about officials in the Obama administration, from President Obama himself to Vice President Biden to Jones and on and on. McChrystal was replaced as commander of ISAF by Petraeus.

76 Others believe Sadiq fled to Pakistan in fear of U.S. forces in 2002. It's possible that both theories are true, given the porous border and the frequent trips made back and forth between Afghanistan and Pakistan by declared enemies of the United States and the Afghan government. Others believe Sadiq fled to Pakistan in fear of U.S. forces in 2002. It's possible that both theories are true, given the porous border and the frequent trips made back and forth between Afghanistan and Pakistan by declared enemies of the United States and the Afghan government.

77 Some U.S. intelligence sources insist that there is no evidence for Amin's son's belief; others maintain that throughout the war with the USSR, HIG repeatedly tried to scuttle Mohammed Anvar Amin, and that Anvar's killer was indeed backed by Sadiq. Some U.S. intelligence sources insist that there is no evidence for Amin's son's belief; others maintain that throughout the war with the USSR, HIG repeatedly tried to scuttle Mohammed Anvar Amin, and that Anvar's killer was indeed backed by Sadiq.

78 Named after Specialist James Finley, twenty-one, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Private First Cla.s.s Andrew Shields, nineteen, of Battleground, Washington, both of whom were killed by an IED on May 31, 2008, in Jalalabad. Named after Specialist James Finley, twenty-one, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Private First Cla.s.s Andrew Shields, nineteen, of Battleground, Washington, both of whom were killed by an IED on May 31, 2008, in Jalalabad.

79 Not his real name. Not his real name.

80 This seemed to last until April 2010, when McChrystal and his aides made disparaging comments about the president and his top advisers to Rolling Stone reporter Michael Hastings, resulting in the June publication of "The Runaway General," which cost the McChrystal his job. (See footnote on page TK.) This seemed to last until April 2010, when McChrystal and his aides made disparaging comments about the president and his top advisers to Rolling Stone reporter Michael Hastings, resulting in the June publication of "The Runaway General," which cost the McChrystal his job. (See footnote on page TK.)

81 "Target sixty" was an instruction to get on the 60-millimeter mortar tube and start firing. "Target sixty" was an instruction to get on the 60-millimeter mortar tube and start firing.

82 Some of the shorthand in these mIRC messages has been spelled out-"FRI AND KEA" becoming "FRITSCHE AND KEATING," for instance. Some of the shorthand in these mIRC messages has been spelled out-"FRI AND KEA" becoming "FRITSCHE AND KEATING," for instance.

83 An "AH" is an Apache helicopter. An "AH" is an Apache helicopter.

84 CAS CAS stands for "close air support." stands for "close air support."

85 CCA stands for "close combat attack," or helicopters. CCA stands for "close combat attack," or helicopters.

86 "Stand-to" is the period during dawn and dusk when extra guards are added. At this time, Stand-To Truck 1 was parked at the southern edge of the camp, with its gun facing north. "Stand-to" is the period during dawn and dusk when extra guards are added. At this time, Stand-To Truck 1 was parked at the southern edge of the camp, with its gun facing north.

87 Technically called JTACs, for "joint tactical air controllers," these radiomen communicate with the pilots and tell them where to target their munitions. Technically called JTACs, for "joint tactical air controllers," these radiomen communicate with the pilots and tell them where to target their munitions.

88 TOW stands for tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided. TOW stands for tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided.

89 Not her real name. Not her real name.

90 Specialist Devin "Twiggy" Snyder, twenty, of Cohocton, New York; Corporal Christopher Bell, twenty-one, of Red Bay, Alabama; Private First Cla.s.s Robert Voakes, Jr., twenty, of L'Anse, Michigan; and Sergeant Joshua Powell, twenty-eight, of Quitman, Texas, were killed on June 4, 2011. Specialist Devin "Twiggy" Snyder, twenty, of Cohocton, New York; Corporal Christopher Bell, twenty-one, of Red Bay, Alabama; Private First Cla.s.s Robert Voakes, Jr., twenty, of L'Anse, Michigan; and Sergeant Joshua Powell, twenty-eight, of Quitman, Texas, were killed on June 4, 2011.

91 "Physical Training" clothes-shorts and a T-shirt. "Physical Training" clothes-shorts and a T-shirt.