December 8th, 2011
03:20 PM ET

Exclusive look at front lines in Afghanistan

A Marine Corps cameraman was able to capture a rare, firsthand glimpse into a battle with the Taliban. The footage offers an unfiltered look at the Marine’s experience when faced with a surprise attack by the Taliban on November 22, 2011.

Lance Cpl. Jacob Lagoze captured footage of the Marines of 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment as they engaged in a firefight with the Taliban for more than three hours at a remote outpost in southern Afghanistan.

The Marines stationed at Patrol Base Georgetown found themselves under fire from Taliban forces embedded in caves across the Helmand River. This video offers a glimpse into the grim realities of war, and includes sound from several Marines as they reflect on their combat experience. The Marine regiment was forced to call in an airstrike to provide backup fire during the battle. While the unit did suffer some injuries as a result of the conflict, all marines are currently recovering or have returned to duty.

 Post by:
Filed under: Afghanistan • Gotta Watch • Marines • Military • Taliban • Uncategorized • War
soundoff (173 Responses)
  1. Jared Wittwer

    How much shooting are these guys doing? The machine gunner in this video is about to have some really hot brass ejected onto him. It would be more thoughtful to shoot farther to the M-60's left, or even from the other side.

    December 9, 2011 at 4:29 pm | Report abuse |
    • Denman

      You're Monday monring quarterbacking a firefight? Un-freaking-believable.

      December 9, 2011 at 4:39 pm | Report abuse |
    • Tom A

      Well, I can't see the actual video since I'm at work, but the screen shot shows a Marine manning a 240G in the prone position, and another Marine to his left with an M16. The 240G ejects to the right. The belt feeds into the left side of the weapon, and hot brass is ejected to the right. So the Marine on his knee is on the proper side of the machine gun.

      That being said, he's enough back that the brass probably wouldn't affect him, even if he was on the right side.

      December 9, 2011 at 4:43 pm | Report abuse |
    • HelmandVet

      It's a 240 dipstick.. the rounds eject to the right.. and who cares about a little hot brass anyway.

      December 9, 2011 at 4:43 pm | Report abuse |
    • Rupert

      Had you considered the marine with the scope might be calling out targets to the machine gunner? M16/M4 brass is going to be thrown out at 1-2 o clock, the guy would be fine. At any rate I'd say they've been in more firefights than you have. Not including your time serving your country playing Modern Warfare 3.

      December 9, 2011 at 4:58 pm | Report abuse |
    • Muldoon

      I'm going to assume that Jared is saying that the guy shooting firing the M4 is about to eject brass on the 240 gunner to his right. Except that the maximum effective range of the M4 is 500 meters and the enemy is over a mile away so it is unlikely the guy with the M4 intends to fire. It is far more likely he is using his scope to be a spotter for the 240 gunner, which would perfectly explain why he is positioned as he is. Good work, jarheads – carry on.
      -Tabbed

      December 9, 2011 at 5:13 pm | Report abuse |
    • cjbigcat

      Jared....are you really that dumb or do you try to be? The one guy is obviously only using his rifle to sight in targets. Go back to eating your Subway sandwiches.

      December 9, 2011 at 5:24 pm | Report abuse |
    • Marine5484

      That is not a M60 it's a M240G and when it come to a firefight using overwhelming, superior firepower will give you the best chance to accomplish the mission.

      December 9, 2011 at 11:21 pm | Report abuse |
    • John

      Actually guys it's not the 240G. It's the 240B. The golf has a solid forend where as the bravo has the rail system. Attention to detail.

      Semper fi

      October 14, 2012 at 11:17 pm | Report abuse |
  2. rashid

    His final words, 'a deadend day, we're the ones out here'. Waste of time in a dump country full of junk people. 10 years of this. Step it up, win it, or come on home.

    December 9, 2011 at 4:41 pm | Report abuse |
    • Tom A

      Win it? What exactly does that mean?

      December 9, 2011 at 4:45 pm | Report abuse |
  3. qabb

    So, with all these sophisticated artillery weapons they still have to resort to airpower? And they are fighting some guys with flip flops and used AK's. hmmm...

    December 9, 2011 at 5:02 pm | Report abuse |
    • Muldoon

      Huh? Are you suggesting that our guys should only use artillery (which means medium-sized rounds as opposed to big bombs that only aircraft can carry)? Or that, given the relatively unsophisticated nature of the enemy, we should limit ourselves to something smaller, like spitballs? What exactly is your point?

      December 9, 2011 at 5:26 pm | Report abuse |
    • Pete/Ark

      Hey! Muldoon ! Dude never served...thinks spitballs are dangerous...I never heard a grunt complain that my 105 was overkill.

      December 9, 2011 at 5:49 pm | Report abuse |
  4. B

    Thanks to you guys on the front line. Hate or love Afghanistan or the job, you guys are doing what is asked. We look forward to having you all home safe and will never forget the people who who died in the line of fire.

    December 9, 2011 at 5:09 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Pete/Ark

    "Semper Gumby" Marines ! Stay flexible and keep a sense of humor...it got me through a tour in 'Nam,it got my daughter through her 4-in th'-Corps...and it will help you through Arf-Sand-is-grand. Do your job,come home, and just like me you'll get to talking to young Marines about how it was in "The Old Corps".

    December 9, 2011 at 5:35 pm | Report abuse |
  6. tif31

    ?

    December 10, 2011 at 12:00 am | Report abuse |
  7. OregonTom

    Come home safe.

    December 10, 2011 at 11:50 am | Report abuse |
  8. JLP

    I have read with interest some of the comments that have been made regarding this video. One profound statement made by someone is that we are fighting unsophisticated, flip-flop wearing, AK welding fighters. Well they have done a fine job of inflicting casualties to a lot ISAF troops. So lets not forget that our enemies can inflict just as much damage with their limited firepower. In the fight, there is a need for mutual respect for our foes, since they will inflict just as much pain as we will inflict on them.

    December 11, 2011 at 8:50 am | Report abuse |
1 2 3 4 5 6
« Back to main