via: Honor Them · On this day in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn history we lost 20 service men & women. Please help me to Pray for their Families and Honor them on this day so they are Never Forgotten. SALUTE!

https://youtu.be/lVx3mFxML80?si=TFWR7fPCO0Uhzh2c Take a 10 Min break. Then, go kick some ass. -The Fall In Skipper

https://www.facebook.com/art.reynolds/posts/pfbid02UzwdewU6AsMP6C14kPLcXT6zzuxuqCUfHDnnt6pQCA6dE3SC2aVQ4u6M9XDDeLRal

via: Freedom Isn't Free · Happy Birthday to our U.S.Navy SEABEES!!

via: The 75th Ranger Regiment · Honoring our Fallen Hero: Sergeant Bradley S. Crose Operation Anaconda March 3, 2002 Bradley S. Crose, 22, was from Orange Park, Florida, and volunteered for military service with the United States Army, June 6, 1998. He completed basic training and advanced individual training in the military operational specialty of infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia. Sergeant Crose volunteered for the second time to attend Airborne School and completed his airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia. On November 20, 1998, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. He earned his Ranger Tab at Fort Benning. He was also a graduate of the Primary Leadership Development Course. Sergeant Crose held many positions while assigned to 1st Battalion. He was killed while fighting the Taliban and Al-Qaeda during Operation Anaconda, the most intense fighting thus far in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He died March 3 in combat after enemy gunfire forced down a MH-47 Chinook helicopter, in which he and his fellow Rangers were aboard. As a Ranger, Sergeant Crose distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light-infantry unit and was a highly trained and motivated soldier. He is survived by his father Mr. Ricky Crose, and his mother Ms. Sheila Maguhn, both of Orange Park, Florida. Rangers Lead The Way!

https://sofmag.com/battle-of-takur-ghar/?fbclid=IwAR3uYweLRYes3nuwqCIv30vp19teXw_ZzMCk4U5bQPbH1dLDslkZTg0KZCQ

via: Combat Control Foundation · John Chapman, known to his friends as ‘Chappy’ joined the Air Force in 1985 and was trained as an Information Systems Operator. Chappy later retrained as an Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller in 1990. On March 4, 2002, Combat Controller Tech Sergeant John Chapman was involved in a grueling 17-hour firefight during the Battle of Takur Ghar supporting Operation Anaconda. The heroic actions Chappy decided to make that day, would end his life but would save the lives of 23 team members. John was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross for his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, and dedication to the service of his country. In March 2018, Chapman's family was notified that his Air Force Cross was to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant and his name was added to the Medal of Honor wall at the Air Force Memorial. He is the first Airman to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, and the only combat controller to receive the award. Learn more about MSgt John A. Chapman: https://buff.ly/3Tl9BDC #FirstThere #AFSPECWAR #AFSW #STS #CCT #CombatControl #CombatControlTeam #SpecialWarfare #Airmen #SpecialOperations #CombatController #SpecialTacticsAirmen #USAF #AFSOC #MedalofHonor #HeroicActions #Chapman

via: TSAF Industries · SPC Marc Anderson, 30, of Brandon, Florida was killed while fighting in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda during Operation Anaconda in the renowned Battle of Takur Ghar; where US Army Rangers were called upon to rescue and extract a Navy SEAL team under intense enemy fire. The MH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying a US Army Ranger Quick-Reaction-Force, including SPC Anderson, crash landed due to enemy fire. SPC Anderson and two other Rangers were killed by direct enemy fire as they fought their way out of the helicopter. The battle would endure for 12 hours, while Army Rangers and the surviving Navy Seals fought to secure and hold the peak of Takur Ghar, later named Roberts Ridge. SPC Anderson proudly served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Marc was born in Fort Benning, Georgia, and in 1978 when his father retired from the Army, his family relocated to Alliance, Ohio. Marc was a gifted athlete in High School, with a special talent in track and field. ''Physically, Marc was like an N.F.L. lineman,'' said Jim Polen, Marc’s former track coach, adding that despite his size, he could run the 40-yard dash in less than five seconds. But Marc had brains as well as brawn. ''He had the quick humor of a talk show host,'' Polen said, searching for words to describe what made Marc Anderson so special. ''He was as bright as a college professor. But he had the spirit of a little boy.'' Marc would go on to attend Case Western Reserve University, before transferring to Florida State University. He distinguished himself as a standout student-athlete. He was recognized as an All American in both football and track by the NCAA and won the Florida State student athlete of the year award in 1995. After obtaining his teaching degree from Florida State University, he taught math in Fort Myers. Marc was dedicated to his students and volunteered with Boys/Girls clubs during summer. Marc enlisted in the Army to assist in paying off his student loans. He is survived by his parents and two brothers. #Patriot #Hero #RLTW #suasponte #tsafindustries #tsafnation (Ref: andersonmcqueen.com/obituary; rangersremembered.com; leadthewayfund.org)

via: TSAF Industries · CPL Matthew Commons, 21, of Boulder City, Nevada was killed while fighting in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda during Operation Anaconda in the renowned Battle of Takur Ghar; where US Army Rangers were called upon to rescue and extract a Navy SEAL team under intense enemy fire. The MH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying a US Army Ranger Quick-Reaction-Force, including CPL Commons, crash landed due to enemy fire. CPL Commons and two other Rangers were killed by direct enemy fire as they fought their way out of the helicopter. The battle would endure for 12 hours, while Army Rangers and the surviving Navy Seals fought to secure and hold the peak of Takur Ghar, later named Roberts Ridge. CPL Commons was the youngest of seven American heroes killed in the battle, he proudly served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Matt moved to Colorado with his family when he was 7 years old. He developed a passion for soccer that endured through his high school graduation. Matt and his brother also played roller hockey in high school, where Matt spent a lot of time in the penalty box for roughing opponents. He said that hockey was the only sport where you could legally fight and only get a penalty for it. At home, Matt would enjoy playing video games with his brother and friends. His presence in the house was marked by constant noise, music, lively conversations, and laughter. In July 2000, Matt joined the Army with the goal of pursuing a career as an Army Ranger, a path he had long aspired to follow. His interest in the military had been a consistent aspect of his ambitions growing up. In early October 2001 Matt was scheduled to attend Ranger School for leadership training but was pulled to begin training for war. By the end of the year, he and 1st Ranger Battalion, A Company would be in Bagram, Afghanistan - Matt would celebrate his 21st birthday just two weeks before his death. He is survived by his mother Patricia, his father James and brother Aaron. RLTW! - NSDQ! #Patriot #Hero #RLTW #suasponte #tsafindustries #tsafnation (Ref: suaspontefoundation.org/memoriam/commons/, arits.org; www.arlingtoncemetery.net/macommons.htm)

via: Medal of Honor Valor Trail 5h · #OnThisDay In early March 2002, coalition forces launched Operation Anaconda to encircle remaining Taliban forces in Paktia province, Afghanistan. On March 3, a seven-man team of Navy SEALs and one Air Force combat controller John Chapman left by Chinook helicopter for a reconnaissance mission on the Takur Ghar mountain. Reaching the deployment ridge on the morning of March 4, the team, led by Senior Chief Britt Slabinski, came under heavy fire. Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts fell from the helicopter, which was soon forced to crash-land three miles away. Quickly, the team decided to return for Roberts, unaware he had been killed. Immediately coming under attack after re-engaging, Chapman and Slabinski charged up an incline in deep snow to successfully clear an enemy bunker. Soon after, a machine gun in a nearby strongpoint opened fire on the team. Chapman assaulted this bunker, exposed himself to the automatic fire, and was wounded in his efforts. Despite his injuries, Chapman kept fighting until mortally injured. For his bravery and ultimate sacrifice, Chapman was posthumously decorated with the Medal of Honor. With his team suffering casualties, Slabinski moved them to a stronger position and ordered nearby close air support. Enemy mortar attacks commenced at daybreak, forcing the group further down the mountain. Across rough terrain, Slabinski carried a seriously wounded comrade while directing airstrikes. For 14 hours, he helped stabilize casualties and battled off enemy attacks. Despite suffering killed and wounded men, a quick-reaction force of Army Rangers and Air Force troops moved up to Slabinski’s team. Together, they fought against Taliban assaults until 8:15 p.m. when all personnel, including the seven men killed, were extracted by helicopter. For his leadership and courage throughout the battle, Slabinski received the Navy Cross, which was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2018. Photo: "The Battle of Takur Ghar" by Keith Rocco, National Guard Heritage Painting