EPISODE 26
THE FINAL MISSION OF EXTORTION 17
LOOKING FOR AN OPTIC?
Lessons from Ruby Ridge
One of the most emotional stand-offs in US history is the one between the Weaver family and the FBI at Ruby Ridge, Idaho. This all started when a group of US Marshals were attempting to arrest Randy Weaver for a weapons offense. After an exchange of gunfire that left people on both sides dead, the FBI HRT responded to resolve the issue in what became one of the most polarizing cases that touched everything from gun control, the use of deadly force by law enforcement, and federal oversight and over-reach.
Disaster Prep
Jim lays out the planning you need to do before a disaster strikes – arguing for a sane approach to “prepping.”
MJ the Marine Round 2
This is the second time MJ has joined Mike and Jim on the show. Today we discussed some of the differences between Air Force and Marine Corps culture. Obviously very different – but MJ and Jim are both pilots so there are some similarities in that regard. There are reasons for both and they each have their advantages and disadvantages. We also discuss how this applies to other areas, and of course relate it all back to the philosophy of John Boyd.
Ed Darack is an author and war reporter who has embedded with US forces in Afghanistan and written a couple books about it. Extortion 17 was a US Chinook helicopter that was shot down by a lucky hit by a Taliban fighter with an RPG. 38 US and Afghan personnel and a military working dog were killed in what became the largest single loss of Special Operations personnel in Afghanistan. Just so happens, Jim was deployed at the time of the incident and has personal connections with the story. In the aftermath, several rumors and conspiracy theories surfaced about the incident, and Ed wrote an article and then a book to get the story right and honor the memories of the personnel and crew who were killed that night.
The article, The Final Flight of Extortion 17
The book, The Final Mission of Extortion 17
For an overview on Afghanistan, Ed’s book Victory Point
Remember that we publish new episodes on the 1st and the 15th of every month! Find us on Facebook @TacTangents or email us at info@tacticaltangents.com
Intro music credit: Bensound.com
Photo Credit: Ed Darack and Luke Downey (used with permission)
The Final Mission of Extortion 17, has brought relief to so many parents who were disgusted with the baseless and ignorant conspiracy theories. We were needlessly tortured by the thought it was a setup, when those that really bothered to interview the soldiers, and from soldiers that were there the night of the shoot down.
So our sincere thanks to you for telling the truth in a book, that factually reported it was just a lucky shot. Not some dumb thing attached to Bengasi.
thank you too for remembering those in other branches of the service that lost their lives that night.