The True Story of the Battle of Takur Ghar

Published on April 15, 2026
Duration: 29:24

This video details the harrowing events of the Battle of Takur Ghar, focusing on the damage sustained by a Chinook helicopter and its crew during Operation Anaconda. It highlights the critical failure of multiple electrical systems due to RPG and machine gun fire, rendering AC-powered miniguns inoperable. The narrative emphasizes the crew's resilience and the pilot's skillful maneuvering to evade further enemy fire and execute a controlled crash landing, despite significant aircraft damage and the loss of a team member.

Quick Summary

During the Battle of Takur Ghar, a Chinook helicopter sustained critical damage from RPGs and machine gun fire, leading to a complete failure of its electrical systems. This rendered its AC-powered miniguns inoperable. The pilot executed a steep evasive dive to escape enemy fire, during which a Navy SEAL fell from the aircraft.

Chapters

  1. 00:00RPG Impact and Initial Damage
  2. 00:50RPG Trajectory and Aircraft Damage
  3. 01:33Electrical System Failure
  4. 02:03Defensive Posture and Crew Status
  5. 02:42Takeoff and Engine Issues
  6. 03:04Evasive Dive and Man Down
  7. 03:21Neil Roberts Falls from Aircraft
  8. 03:50Hydraulic Fluid and Bullet Damage
  9. 04:06Lost Man and Controlled Landing
  10. 04:25Crash Landing and Sit Rep
  11. 04:51Non-Airworthy Aircraft and Rescue
  12. 05:25Base of Takur Ghar and AC-130
  13. 06:09Enemy Activity Around Fallen Soldier
  14. 06:44Ground Team and AC-130 Communication
  15. 07:07Slab's Decision to Return
  16. 07:27Razer 4 Request
  17. 07:50Slab Returns to Gardez
  18. 08:03Beehive of Activity and Rescue Launch
  19. 08:21Sitrep: Enemy Surrounding Roberts
  20. 08:42Air Force Command Intervention
  21. 08:58Jethro Taking Heavy Fire
  22. 09:10Fire Support Approved
  23. 09:22AC-130 Hesitation and Aircraft Commander's Decision
  24. 09:33Radio Tapes and Command Structure
  25. 09:45Major's Command and Confusion
  26. 10:34Mortar Platoon and AC-130 Targeting
  27. 11:15101st Mortar Platoon and AC-130 Negative
  28. 11:32Preparing for Mountain Assault
  29. 11:44HH60 Medevac Hilo and Shooters
  30. 12:05Repeated 'Assault' Directive
  31. 12:13Words Matter in Combat
  32. 12:37Slab's Team Capabilities
  33. 13:04Slab's Aircraft Lifts Off
  34. 13:12Chapman and Purple Sat Comms
  35. 13:41Original Plan vs. Current Situation
  36. 14:07Loss of Communication
  37. 14:29QRF Launch and Mission Unknown
  38. 14:41Ranger QRF Deployment
  39. 15:04Helicopter Without Satcom
  40. 15:19Rangers Flying to Gardez
  41. 15:26Radio Transmission: AC Stay
  42. 15:50Rotor Wash and AC Pulling Off
  43. 16:03Ground Force Commander's Order
  44. 16:18AC-130 Already Returning
  45. 16:29QRF Arrives
  46. 16:32Rangers Head Back to Objective
  47. 16:43Radio Check from Gardez
  48. 17:07Confusion Over Aircraft and Coordinates
  49. 17:17Flight Lead's Uncertainty
  50. 17:23Razer 02 Sent to Gardez
  51. 17:31Briefing at Gardez
  52. 17:36Razer 01 Arrives, AC-130 Departs
  53. 17:42RPG to Right Engine
  54. 17:53Engine Loss and Pancake Landing
  55. 18:01Objective and Heavy Fire
  56. 18:06Rangers Take Heavy Casualties
  57. 18:09Flight Engineer Philac Killed
  58. 18:21Co-pilot Injured
  59. 18:38Down at Gardez, Building Speed Balls
  60. 18:49Resupply Plan
  61. 19:04Ranger Squad Composition
  62. 19:22Situation Settles, Recovery Plan
  63. 19:34Machine Gun Fire from Backside
  64. 19:42Cunningham Hit
  65. 19:47Platoon Commander's Radio Call
  66. 20:06No More Aircraft Launches
  67. 20:11Guy Going to Die
  68. 20:20Waiting Until Dark
  69. 20:28Cunningham Dies
  70. 20:30Video Evidence
  71. 20:4947 Lands in Same Spot
  72. 21:07Enemy Waits for Aircraft Takeoff
  73. 21:18Slab's Team Disorganized
  74. 21:22Video Footage Analysis
  75. 21:26Four Guys to Defilade, One to Bunker
  76. 21:34Chapman Charges Machine Gun Nest
  77. 21:40Two Days Later: Watching Tapes
  78. 21:54Chapman's Action at the Bunker
  79. 22:18Chapman's Confusion and Heroism
  80. 22:33Assault Directive Influence
  81. 22:49Second Nature vs. Newness
  82. 23:14Disorientation and Cacophony
  83. 23:39Chapman's Heroic Charge
  84. 23:51Slab Follows Chapman
  85. 24:11Chapman Reaches Bunker Two
  86. 24:16Bunker Two Identified as Stove/Cutout
  87. 24:36Slab Arrives Under Fire
  88. 25:01Another Slab Team Member Hit
  89. 25:14Crossfire from Three Directions
  90. 25:20Nighttime Exfil
  91. 25:26Recovery of Fallen Personnel
  92. 25:46Aircraft for Extraction
  93. 25:57Reporter Grenade Incident
  94. 26:16Journalist Transported to FOB
  95. 26:23Weatherman's Report
  96. 26:33Medic Attending to Journalist
  97. 26:39Low on Gas Warning
  98. 26:57Stabilization Decision
  99. 27:21Hilux Truck and Minefield
  100. 27:35Loading Sensitive Items
  101. 27:46Feeding Equipment Up Ramp
  102. 27:50Urgency to Depart
  103. 28:01Last Minigun Onboard
  104. 28:04Flight Engineer Trips on Body
  105. 28:15Flight Engineer's Reaction
  106. 28:25No Space Forward
  107. 28:29Shimmying into Spot
  108. 28:35Realization of Neil Roberts' Body
  109. 29:01Call to Action: Like, Comment, Subscribe

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the electrical failure on the Chinook helicopter during the Battle of Takur Ghar?

The Chinook helicopter suffered a complete loss of all three electrical systems due to a combination of RPG impacts and sustained machine gun fire. This damage rendered critical systems, including AC-powered miniguns, inoperable.

How did the crew of the Chinook helicopter evade further enemy fire after sustaining damage?

The pilot executed a steep 30-degree dive down the mountain to evade ground fire. This maneuver, while dangerous and close to the treetops, was crucial in getting the damaged aircraft away from the immediate threat.

What was the significance of the AC-130 gunship's role during the Battle of Takur Ghar?

The AC-130 provided aerial support and reconnaissance. However, its ability to engage enemy targets was limited by concerns over friendly fire and complex battlefield dynamics, leading to hesitation in providing direct fire support.

What tactical errors or confusions occurred during the Battle of Takur Ghar, as described in the video?

The video highlights confusion regarding friendly positions and the misuse of the term 'assault' for a mission that required reconnaissance and precision engagement. A major's misinterpretation of battlefield locations led to potentially dangerous targeting directives.

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