On today’s Combat Story we have a deep dive into intense fighting that took place in Afghanistan in the treacherous Arghandab River Valley with Andrew Bragg, a former Army infantryman who served back to back tours to two distinct places in Afghanistan, both with plenty of kinetic activity.
Andrew’s book The Devil’s Playground is about one of his deployments with the 82nd Airborne to the Arghandab River Valley where his unit experienced 50% casualties, including 6 KIA. Andrew traveled the country in his car to interview members of his unit from 12 years prior, many of whom had not seen each other since. Their common bond was the impact that the Valley had on each of them.
I think you’re going to really enjoy this recounting of some incredibly challenging fighting experienced by just one of several units to survive the ‘Dab with Andrew Bragg.
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Find Andrew Bragg Online:
Book The Devil's Playground: The Story of Two Charlie and The Arghandab River Valley https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Playground-Charlie-Arghandab-Valley/dp/1636244718
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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Show Notes:
00:00 Intro00:30 Introduction to Combat Story00:49 Meet Andrew Bragg02:06 The Devil's Playground02:59 Andrew's Journey to Reunite with His Unit04:16 The Heavy Toll of Combat04:57 Andrew's Early Life and Military Beginnings05:45 First Deployment with the 173rd06:35 The Impact of 9/1107:14 Writing the Book: A Collective Effort07:38 Reuniting with Fellow Soldiers12:50 The Argandab River Valley Deployment14:34 The Harsh Realities of War22:12 The Aftermath of Combat32:40 A New AO: The Argandab River Valley41:08 Arrival During Hibernation42:09 Learning the Terrain and Locals43:07 The Return of Conflict43:49 Escalation and IED Threats45:30 Close Calls and Ambushes48:47 Operation: Loveless Shot in the Face54:29 The Valley's Grip59:05 Reflections and Reunions01:11:08 The Healing Process01:20:15 Final Thoughts and Book Release
