All Culture Current Affairs Environment Health History Non-Profit Science Series

Inside the Green Berets: Afghanistan

Green Berets Slideshow 09.jpeg

INSIDE THE GREEN BERETS: AFGHANISTAN

  • Writer / Director: Steve Hoggard

  • Director of Photography: Ryan Hill

  • Executive Producers: Daphna Rubin, Steve Hoggard, Howard Swartz

In a remote outpost in south-central Afghanistan, 24 Americans work to ‘pacify’ a hostile river valley the size of Rhode Island.

They are Green Berets: U.S. Army Special Forces charged with battling the Taliban and Al Qaeda while winning the hearts and minds of locals who often see the Americans as simply the latest of a string of invaders dating back centuries.

The Pentagon normally limits media embeds with Navy SEALs and Green Berets to 48-hours. The Hoggard team was given 10 days in the combat zone to chronicle the lives of these war-hardened Special Force troopers.

But in the dead of night, on a distant Afghan ridge, the trip is cut brutally short, leaving 8 Green Berets and two of our film crew dead or wounded in the worst mass casualty event to date for Special Forces in Afghanistan.

PROJECT SLIDESHOW
The morning after the attack. This is all that remains of the team's up-armored communications humvee after being hit by an IED.

The morning after the attack. This is all that remains of the team's up-armored communications humvee after being hit by an IED.

The Hoggard crew prepares to board the CH-47 Chinook that will take them from Kandahar to Firebase Cobra.

The Hoggard crew prepares to board the CH-47 Chinook that will take them from Kandahar to Firebase Cobra.

Surrounding Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan offers stunning scenery. The Taliban use many hilltops to 'keep eyes' on US patrols, passing on the information via walkie talkie.

Surrounding Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan offers stunning scenery. The Taliban use many hilltops to 'keep eyes' on US patrols, passing on the information via walkie talkie.

Steve Hoggard catches some sleep aboard a CH-47 packed with a resupply of ammo and grenades.

Steve Hoggard catches some sleep aboard a CH-47 packed with a resupply of ammo and grenades.

Steve Hoggard talks with Green Beret comm sergeant 'Chris' before heading outside the wire at Firebase Cobra.

Steve Hoggard talks with Green Beret comm sergeant 'Chris' before heading outside the wire at Firebase Cobra.

Steve Hoggard carries spare batteries from one gun truck to another while filming a combat patrol...

Steve Hoggard carries spare batteries from one gun truck to another while filming a combat patrol...

Suddenly, elders from the surrounding villages appeared at Firebase Cobra's gates, wanting to negotiate with the Green Beret Team.

Suddenly, elders from the surrounding villages appeared at Firebase Cobra's gates, wanting to negotiate with the Green Beret Team.

Educators across Afghanistan have been attacked by the Taliban, especially those who teach girls.

Educators across Afghanistan have been attacked by the Taliban, especially those who teach girls.

Green Beret Captain 'Rob' directs the Hoggard camera crew to follow two men into the suspected Taliban compound.

Green Beret Captain 'Rob' directs the Hoggard camera crew to follow two men into the suspected Taliban compound.

The Hoggard crew follows the Green Berets into an Afghan compound they suspect of harboring a Taliban bomb-maker.

The Hoggard crew follows the Green Berets into an Afghan compound they suspect of harboring a Taliban bomb-maker.

Six hours from base, the Green Berets take this suspected Taliban spotter into custody.

Six hours from base, the Green Berets take this suspected Taliban spotter into custody.

An Afghan National Army soldier interrogates the suspected spotter.

An Afghan National Army soldier interrogates the suspected spotter.

An Afghan elder at the impromptu 'jirga' held at Firebase Cobra.

An Afghan elder at the impromptu 'jirga' held at Firebase Cobra.