The Outpost

Helicopter landing at Camp Keating, the location of the Battle of Kamdesh

There are actually a lot of movies about the United States in Afghanistan.  I don't know if the fact that I haven't seen but a few of them means that, like in regard to World War Two, there's a lot of bad ones, or just that I don't see very many movies.  But there are a lot.

The other day I saw The Outpost on Netflix.  This movie is centered on the real life battle of Kamdesh and portrays the actual soldiers who fought there.

The battle took place at a remote outpost which, as the movie depicts, was extraordinarily poorly located. The photos posted here of the actual location demonstrate that as well.  The base was located in a valley, a classic military blunder, and the subject of constant sniping.  On October 3, 2009, the Taliban attempted to overrun it which resulted in a pitched battle.  The resulting fighting was dramatic, and two Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded to American soldiers who fought there.

By all accounts this movie is a very good depiction of the actual battle, including the location. The film is well done and the portrayal of the soldiers extremely unvarnished.  The battle scenes are harrowing and gritty.  The modern U.S. Army including its equipment is very well portrayed.  Well worth watching.

SSG Clinton Romesha near the area where the battle was fought.  He would receive the Congressional Medal of Honor as a result of his heroism in the battle.