Hello Richard, I viewed the video from Korengal Outpost and it was amazing and very intense. It was interesting to see how the soldiers sleep and how your producer doesn't have much in the way of privacy. I was very scared when you had to run zi-zaging down the open part of the mountain area. I admire your bravery and dedication always. God Bless all the brave and dedicated soldiers of Viper Company. To be under such horrendous conditions and stay with their mission. And to be part of your crew one must be fit. Always under intense firing from the Taliban is so very dangerous for everyone at that outpost and I am very happy your cameraman was okay Big Thank You to Madeleine,Bredun and you for giving such superb excellent reporting! PLEASE ALWAYS KEEP EXTRA SAFE RICHARD!!! I ALWAYS PRAY EXTRA HARD FOR YOUR SAFETY!! EXCELLENT REPORTING AS ALWAYS! PEACE TO YOU AND TO ALL!
YOUR HUGE SUPPORTER FROM ALPHARETTA,GEORGIA
LISA  

Dear Richard,

I really enjoyed this "behind-the-scenes" look at your work in Afghanistan.  I must say, Madeleine is a real trooper to bunk with all you smelly boys.  Ha, ha.  As for Bredun, I completely sympathize with his comment about being "unfit."  I, too, would fail to qualify for work on The Richard Engel Show - thin does not mean the same thing as in shape!  In any case, you would have to be one mean mofo to make those hikes on a daily basis.  (And Lara Logan did it at six months pregnant!)  I'm glad you all made it through okay, and it was interesting to see more of the soldiers' living quarters.  Today and Nightly News posted, on their websites, an address for sending care packages.  At the current moment, the APO AE zip code is incorrect, but I'm sure they'll make a correction soon.  There are lots of eager viewers who want to send some love to the Korengal valley!

THANK YOU!!!  Take care, and be safe in Iraq.  Among other things, I always like to see your live stand-ups from the bureau in Baghdad.  Over your shoulder, one can see the flocks of birds flying past.  That just always stands out to me; I'm not sure why.  Life goes on, I guess.  

P.S. - Could you do a story on the National Museum, which was looted during the initial invasion?  I always kind of wondered if it ever recovered, or if any of the stolen artifacts have resurfaced.  Just a thought.

laurel

Finally, some reporting on Afghanistan.  I am a military wife with a hubby currently deployed in Afghanistan.  It seems that this war is underreported and the world has no idea how bad it really is in Afghanistan.  Thank you for supporting our troops and reporting on the unforgotten war.  It brings me comfort and more understanding of the sacrifice our men and women in uniform are experiencing in an area that is so remote.  Phone calls are few, mail takes 21 days at the earliest to be received by the troops and families are desperate for more information as to what is going on.

Thank You Richard for putting another "FACE" on this terrible conflict. My husband and I enjoy watching Nightly News but this was a very disturbing story of reality that all of us take for granted. ... until YOU brought it forth! I am the Registrar for our local D.A.R. Chapter in the Florida Keys.... I would appreciate any "addresses" you could give me for these unfortunate troops... we have 60 members who would love to send care packages to them- we have the supplys- we just need addresses.. PLEASE !!!!!
Do they have email?? I know they sit upon a Mountain top, but any communication is welcome I would think.  My family ( all gone now) were in the Military too. I have two sons 27 and 35 who are not in the Military. However we do have a couple of soldiers who are over there somewhere. I count my blessings that I have my sons... All I could think of is "I'll bet the families who are watching this video are ecstatic that they are getting to see their loved ones for a brief video moment"- tears came to our eyes on that thought !
Our brave military men and women have put thier freedoms on hold  to fight for ours so that we can enjoy our freedom here at home.
I do hope for a response from anyone SOON !!!!

TO ALL THE SOLDIERS. I PRAY FOR YOUR SAFETY AND WELL BEING... I WISH YOU ALL WELL and MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP ALL OF YOU SAFE AND BRING YOU HOME IN GOOD SHAPE!!! I'm praying that this war be over just as fast as it has started and all of you are deployed home.  My youngest son just join the Army and I am terrified that he will be deployed there or Iraq....I feel that you all don't belong "apart" of this horrible war. But it is your mission/assignment.  Be well...

Richard Engel: As always your reports are great!!  Keep your head down!! Stay safe!!

As myself a Marine Vietnam War Veteran, believe me I am at your side. You young men are brave, unique and I have the fullest respect for you.  Take care and get 'em before they get you.

Hurry home.

Ben Fonseca

THank you to Richard, Madeleine and Bredun for having the courage to report from the most dangerous place in Afghanistan. The Korengal Valley has not changed. The 173rd Airborne and 10th Mountain Div went through the same intense fighting and austere conditions on their deployments. These guys live thru hell everyday, but have the courage to do it again and again. They deserve our utmost gratitude and respect. Thank you for showing America how bravely their sons serve OUR country. With harsh winter conditions approaching, Viper Company needs our support more than ever. Please visit www.anysoldier.com and go to the forums-visit the Korengal Valley thread. There is information there on how to support the soldiers featured in these reports,as well as correct addresses. Stay safe, Richard. We need you to get the word out.

my Grandson just spent 15 months over there. We need to hear more about what is going on in that part of the war............they need our prayers and support.

I watched the recent NBC segment depicting the Viper Company with a lot of interest. I could not agree more with the comment made earlier in this blog which categorized the conflict in Afghanistan as The “Forgotten War”.  

I lived through the Vietnam War, I also spent a year in Afghanistan in 2004-2005 and can attest to the fact that here again, just like Vietnam in the 60s and 70s, we are involved in a conflict that has no strategic or economic gain for the U.S or our allies.

The county was invaded by the USSR in 1978 and occupied by the Soviets for ten years. The only drawback was the U.S boycotting the 1978's Moscow Olympics, depriving our athletes of an opportunity to potentially win a few gold medals.  Afghanistan was never a strategic spot on the world's map; it was used as a staging area by the British invaders on their way to Pakistan and India, while the Czar of Russia kept Afghanistan as a buffer zone between the motherland and the British Army in the south in Pakistan and India. Other than that Afghanistan has NO real strategic or economic value to the western world, except for the heroine that is produced in record quantity with the tacit approval of the government in Kabul.

To see our men and women climbing to a hill top in Afghanistan with such a vigor reminds me of our Special Forces outposts in South Vietnam in the 70s. how brain washed we were to believe that we were there to hold back on the progress of Communism. Forty years later, did we see the world turn communist? NO.  I wonder what our men and women in Afghanistan today are told, what are we doing there, what are our objectives, what are we looking to achieve in the short run and long run?  We should all ask ourselves, what are we doing there? After 8 years of occupation 2001-2008 and 120 billion dollars, we are NO closer to “victory” today than we we landed and occupied in 2004.  The country is not freer, our troops and diplomats are still not allowed to walk freely through the streets of Kabul, Herat or Khandahar, and are still living behind monstrous walls of sand bags. We are not safer today nor will we be safer in 10 years from now. It is time for our troops to pack-up and leave. Let the Afghanis, a sovereign nation, run the country the way they want to.  We could sure use those billions of dollars right here at home!

   

Richard-your reporting is by far the best. Thank you and your crew for giving us a front row seat. I think people sometimes forget that there is a person behind the camera and a producer that are apart of this whole package. We are so engrossed in politics and the economy, I think some media outlets have forgotten there is a war out there. Thanks for keeping us informed! Be careful and come home soon to all the soldiers and poeple covering this war!Maybe one day you will do a package on the camera people that cover these wars and what it really takes. Be Safe

I am going to start of with saying that I was angered when I first saw your report. I spent 4 years on active duty as a Army Ranger and Sniper and am currently serving as a Sniper Team Leader in the National Guard. I just cant stop thinking of why did we not see any type of sniper support on that hill top. It would be a prime location for a sniper team as well as a great deterrent and psychological advantage for the US troops to have. In a target rich environment like that a sniper could change the in-tire situation on that hilltop. Picture yourself as a insurgent and every time you fired at the FOB you or a fellow insurgent were killed by a well placed single round from a 50cal sniper rifle. It would take only a short time to figure out that you should not be attacking the outpost.

My comments are mixed.  On the one hand, I appreciate you & your team for taking the risk, as civilians, to place yourself in harms way to report on these valiant young men. As one other poster mentioned, we don't hear much about the goings-on in Afghanistan.  Iraq gets most of the press anymore. But as I said, my comments are mixed.  So, on the other hand, I am upset that you felt the need to show them being fired upon & even allowing the sound of those boys that got hit in the house. The families of those men were watching. Can you imagine the pain that caused the Penich family & the families of the other men that were injured? To watch that piece, hoping to catch a glimpse of their loved one, only to hear them cry out in pain & there wasn't a thing they could to but just watch & listen. I believe you could have gotten many points across without the need to be THAT graphic. There's good journalism, such as you bringing to light the immense need of support from home other than just the words "Thank you."  Then there's irresponsible journalism that subjects those mens' families to have to listen to them suffer & even lose their life. Ask Sgt. Penich's family how they felt when they heard those screams.  Something to consider when you report next.

How soon some people forget that the attacks on 9/11 were planned here by UBL and followers. Our troops know what there duties are and the American public should support there efforts and enjoy the comforts of living in our great country.  Freedom is not free.

As a mother of a son serving in Afghanistan I was totally shocked and outraged as to what my child is going through.  To hear the screams of the wounded was heartbreaking.  Don'r you have any compassion for the worried parents that live in constant fear that the causalty officers will come knocking at our doors?  Yes, I realize I made the choice to watch the videos and I knew he was in danger but as to the extent of the danger - that was news for me.   Can you imagine what it would be like to hear your child screaming and not be able to help?

My grandson just returned from Afghanistan after 15 months.  I have another soon to leave.  Please keep them and their families in your prayers.  Pray that they come home safely and sane.  So many can no longer deal with the ugly situations that they have been through!  God bless and be with them all.

For anyone wanting to support the troops go to Anysoldier.com. From the main page go to "where to send. You will see a list of soldier who have signed up. Their posts tell you the types of items they need, so you can sent what they need. (You can also sort them by branch of service, country, etc.) It is a great way to support our servicemen and women in harm's way.

Dear Richard,

I've been doing some research, and I believe the correct APO AE zip code for FB Restrepo, Korengal Outpost is 09354.  APO AE 09254 is invalid, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

Thanks!

laurel

Thanks Richard,Bredun and Madeleine for your bravery.  Your reports have been outstanding!   I'm no expert, but I would recommend that you bring a camouflage backpack next time you go zigzaging across mountain clearings in a war zone instead of your bright red one.  Please stay safe!

My nephew was over there now he is in Iraq. It is hard at times to watch any videos, although we are also told to be strong and brave for you all. It is still hard. My nephew and the rest of you are trained a certain way to process all of this. But I know his true feeling will come out once he returned into a safe environment. I agree with Charles. Bring them back.Prayers to all of you.

Thank-you so much for this fine reporting, I am grateful for reporters who risk their lives to bring the American public non-biased coverage of war on terrorism first hand.

My heart and my prayers are with these brave soldiers as they fight this horrible enemy. I thank each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart for their service and sacrifice. Knowing that they endure this for my freedom is very humbling.

From the heart...thanks guys...we are behind you in all you do for us.

Respectfully,

Michael Wood
3/325th Inf & 82nd FIN Co
82nd ABN Div
1983 to 1987

Thank you for sharing this with the world no matter what their views on being there are! We know that many men and women are doing their duties and staying strong! I am a military spouse with a deployed husband. We are certainly proud of him and the many other soldier's in his unit. We are glad that they show different sides to this war. I am also glad they show the PROGRESS in Iraq and that our men and women are coming home soon. Things like this take time, it's not easy being apart, but it's easy knowing that the men and women I husband serves with BELIEVES in what they are doing and are only too too too happy to share that with the media! God Bless our Troops, God Bless the USA...and God Bless Richard Engel, Madeleine Haeringer and Bredun Edwards stay safe!!

The conduct of our men and women in uniform may be one of the few things Americans can feel good about during these times and gives us pause to consider what is truly important. My son is a marine and is returning home from Iraq this week. The reputation of our country has been sullied by poor leadership, corporate greed and a lack of honor and integrity. This is not true of our military. They are rock solid and can be trusted to do what they have always done. If their mission is not being supported properly in Afghanistan, we need to know why.

I am a Blackhawk helicopter pilot who returned from Afghanistan in February of this year. The KOP, or Korengal Outpost, was one of the areas we supported out of Bagram/Jalalabad. Several of our helicopters were shot up while doing resupply missions to the outpost. The reporting from there is awesome. I am glad somebody is getting the story out there so that America can see what the guys are going through. The only bad thing, though, is that watching the videos is much like watching a horror movie. Once the movie is over and talked about for a few minutes, it is easy for something else to capture the attention of the viewer. These brave guys are living this stuff 24/7. Keep them (and all of our guys) in your thoughts and prayers as they are experiencing things that will forever haunt them. I know first hand. While I am not one of the guys who was on the ground all day, I was one of the guys who had to go pick up the "fallen comrades" from time to time.

To Charles Poli and all of his ilk: For suggesting that our troops are brainwashed or that they are are losing (in effect what you said with your "no closer to "victory"" comment, you need to be taught a lesson in respect. If you were indeed there in 2004-2005, your head was buried in the sand. Further, if you don't feel like you are safer as the result of the efforts of our military, pack your things and move to Mexico or something. I'll help you pay your move if you would like. By the way, I am not digging on the word "occupation" in the context you used it. Sounds really disrespectful.

Having lived now in India for close to 4 years (I am a U.S. Citizen) I perhaps have a different slant on what the U.S. is trying to do in Afghanistan.  You cannot fight 'terrorism' from these people, until you do alot more to underswtand their frustrations.  The war against terror will never be won by a gun, or
by forcing our way of life (how ever good or bad) on these people.  While our core ideals are laudable, the way we are trying to enforce our way of life on these people is flawed.  For instance, how can you fault the poor farmer who grows poppy, or the Warlord who protects him, when it is the folks who creat the 'demand' for the product who are at fault.
These poor people are so far below the poverty line it is incredible and unimagineable to us in our ivory towers, and they, in their personal, daily desparation, and ignorance of events beyond their own villages and families, have no thought about what they are doing on the world stage.  You cannot pontificate to empty bellys.  And most of them actually welcome a bullet.  It is we who need to change, and then change will come to them, in the right ways.   Will it ever happen......I doubt it.
When you look at the Greed, the Corruption, and the decadence in our own society (as they do) how can we lead by example.  Perhaps, in reality, what they are doing is simply following our example, with the only difference being the tools at hand.  

I salute you my friend, see you in the after life.

Cpl., Angelo J. Vaccaro 23, of Deltona, Fla., died on Oct. 2 in Korengal, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered during combat operations. Vaccaro was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Kudos to Richard and his crew for showing an honest repesentation of what life is like in the Korengal
province.As a member of the 76th Infantry Brigade
Embedded as a trainer for the ANA (Afghan National Army)04-05, I know first hand what trials and tribulations
the fine soldiers of Viper Company are experiencing.
Viper Company You guys ROCK! Keep your heads down and your powder dry. I pray that you all return home safe,and will keep your families in my prayers as well. SEMPER GUMBY!

As a soldier I respectfully say great job. Its good to see that the rest of America can see exactly what we are going through. As for people complaining about hearing the injuried soldiers, they need to know that is real life. What those people didn't focus on was the sounds of the soldiers buddies and medics trying to save their lives while under fire. As a medic and a soldier I do agree its hard for the injuried soldiers families to hear that but just imagine what we feel and hear while right beside them.
I can only hope to have great reporters with us during this tour in Iraq. I have great respect for the ones with us during OIF II.
To all soldiers take care and stay safe.

Nice work and thank's for all you and the troops go through to keep us informed.

I think there should be a site for what we can send troops from home like care package info so that those troops who have no one to send them things can get things as well to let them all know we are thinking of them .

It should be on every night on tv as a reminder how to help or troops over there.

If someone know's of a place I can find a soldier to sponser or send a package to please post it.

I have not been to Korengal, but wat you saw on TV is the truth. Its left better men than me angry, frustrated, it will break some guys. They are like ghosts, they are there...then gone. The guys from 10th Mountain were left muttering to themselves, shaken by friends who were killed, and the thirst for revenge. It can drive one mad. Restrepo needs more troops, RELIABLE weapons, and yes, where is the overwatch? The plan Engel described, as drawn up by Restrepo's CO, to draw them out then pummel them with arty or mortars was a good one, it just ended tragically with a "blue on blue" [friendly fire] incident. Richard Engel, you have cojones of steel, and I would share a hole with you ANYDAY. Please, don't take too many risks, we want you, and all the 1st Infantry Soldiers to make it back from Restrepo. Keep your s*it wired tight and ur heads down.

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