On the road with a bomb-hunting unit in Afghanistan | 60 Minutes Archive

Last month was the most lethal yet for Last month was the most lethal yet for American forces in Afghanistan. And most American forces in Afghanistan. And most American forces in Afghanistan. And most of the Americans were killed by the of the Americans were killed by the of the Americans were killed by the deadliest weapon in the enemy's arsenal, deadliest weapon in the enemy's arsenal, deadliest weapon in the enemy's arsenal, the roadside bomb, or IED, an improvised the roadside bomb, or IED, an improvised the roadside bomb, or IED, an improvised explosive device. IEDs killed more than explosive device. IEDs killed more than explosive device. IEDs killed more than 40 American and coalition forces in 40 American and coalition forces in 40 American and coalition forces in October alone, up from five two years October alone, up from five two years October alone, up from five two years ago. In response, the US military has ago. In response, the US military has ago. In response, the US military has gone on the offensive. Search and gone on the offensive. Search and gone on the offensive. Search and destroy missions are carried out across destroy missions are carried out across destroy missions are carried out across Afghanistan by a small army of elite Afghanistan by a small army of elite Afghanistan by a small army of elite units called Task Force Paladin. Only units called Task Force Paladin. Only units called Task Force Paladin. Only volunteers are allowed to serve on volunteers are allowed to serve on volunteers are allowed to serve on Paladin teams because the mission is so Paladin teams because the mission is so Paladin teams because the mission is so dangerous. dangerous. dangerous. It was after midnight last month that Do It was after midnight last month that Do It was after midnight last month that Do Air Force Base in Delaware. President Air Force Base in Delaware. President Air Force Base in Delaware. President Barack Obama went to the base as Barack Obama went to the base as Barack Obama went to the base as America's war dead came home. Eight of America's war dead came home. Eight of America's war dead came home. Eight of the flag covered caskets contain the the flag covered caskets contain the the flag covered caskets contain the remains of Americans who have been remains of Americans who have been remains of Americans who have been killed by roadside bombs in Afghanistan. killed by roadside bombs in Afghanistan. killed by roadside bombs in Afghanistan. >> It's been a terrorist tool of choice for >> It's been a terrorist tool of choice for >> It's been a terrorist tool of choice for many, many years. many, many years. many, many years. >> A terrorist tool. Absolutely. >> A terrorist tool. Absolutely. >> A terrorist tool. Absolutely. >> Colonel Jeffrey Jarowski was in charge >> Colonel Jeffrey Jarowski was in charge >> Colonel Jeffrey Jarowski was in charge of Task Force Paladin when we visited of Task Force Paladin when we visited of Task Force Paladin when we visited Afghanistan.

Afghanistan. Afghanistan. >> Look at us. We can kill. We can maim. We >> Look at us. We can kill. We can maim. We >> Look at us. We can kill. We can maim. We can destroy when we want to. And the can destroy when we want to. And the can destroy when we want to. And the Americans can't stop us. Americans can't stop us. Americans can't stop us. >> That's their intent. Yes. We'll have >> That's their intent. Yes. We'll have >> That's their intent. Yes. We'll have front team again to the west and rear front team again to the west and rear front team again to the west and rear team to the east. team to the east. team to the east. >> The colonel says his squads are having >> The colonel says his squads are having >> The colonel says his squads are having more success finding those bombs. We more success finding those bombs. We more success finding those bombs. We spent two days on the road with Army spent two days on the road with Army spent two days on the road with Army Captain Dave Foster and his paladin Captain Dave Foster and his paladin Captain Dave Foster and his paladin team. They were on patrol for less than team. They were on patrol for less than team. They were on patrol for less than an hour when they discovered their first an hour when they discovered their first an hour when they discovered their first bomb. It would not be the last. bomb. It would not be the last. bomb. It would not be the last. >> The IED that we found had a 107mm rocket >> The IED that we found had a 107mm rocket >> The IED that we found had a 107mm rocket connected to a command wire. As the team connected to a command wire. As the team connected to a command wire. As the team was uh doing dismounting and ops, they was uh doing dismounting and ops, they was uh doing dismounting and ops, they found the command wire. 107 millimeter found the command wire. 107 millimeter found the command wire. 107 millimeter rocket has approximately about eight rocket has approximately about eight rocket has approximately about eight pounds of explosives in the warhead. pounds of explosives in the warhead. pounds of explosives in the warhead. >> They spotted it near a family's home. >> They spotted it near a family's home. >> They spotted it near a family's home. Staff Sergeant Max Cabrera found and Staff Sergeant Max Cabrera found and Staff Sergeant Max Cabrera found and then disconnected the command wire or then disconnected the command wire or then disconnected the command wire or detonation wire, disabling the bomb. Six detonation wire, disabling the bomb. Six detonation wire, disabling the bomb. Six Paladin soldiers have been killed in Paladin soldiers have been killed in Paladin soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since 2008 on similar Afghanistan since 2008 on similar Afghanistan since 2008 on similar missions. Despite the risk to himself, missions. Despite the risk to himself, missions. Despite the risk to himself, Cabrera picked up the bomb and to avoid Cabrera picked up the bomb and to avoid Cabrera picked up the bomb and to avoid civilian casualties, he carried it civilian casualties, he carried it civilian casualties, he carried it behind that abandoned building and blew behind that abandoned building and blew behind that abandoned building and blew it up.

>> You get scared, but when you got so many >> You get scared, but when you got so many things going through your mind, you just things going through your mind, you just things going through your mind, you just don't even know what what to concentrate don't even know what what to concentrate don't even know what what to concentrate on sometimes. on sometimes. on sometimes. >> You are scared. >> You are scared. >> You are scared. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Everybody is. Let you know you're still >> Everybody is. Let you know you're still >> Everybody is. Let you know you're still alive. alive. alive. >> Being scared lets you know you're still >> Being scared lets you know you're still >> Being scared lets you know you're still alive. alive. alive. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. Sergeant Cerra is 26. His home is on the Sergeant Cerra is 26. His home is on the Sergeant Cerra is 26. His home is on the island of Saipan in the West Pacific. island of Saipan in the West Pacific. island of Saipan in the West Pacific. >> You talk fast. >> You talk fast. >> You talk fast. >> Yes, I do, sir. >> Yes, I do, sir. >> Yes, I do, sir. >> Well, I guess in your business, you got >> Well, I guess in your business, you got >> Well, I guess in your business, you got to think fast, too, right? to think fast, too, right? to think fast, too, right? >> Roger, sir. >> Roger, sir. >> Roger, sir. >> What does it take to do that job, you >> What does it take to do that job, you >> What does it take to do that job, you think? think? think? >> A belief that you're making a >> A belief that you're making a >> A belief that you're making a difference. And uh a little bit of difference. And uh a little bit of difference. And uh a little bit of craziness. craziness. craziness. >> A little bit of crazy goes a long way in >> A little bit of crazy goes a long way in >> A little bit of crazy goes a long way in Afghanistan. Afghanistan. Afghanistan. >> Yes, sir. It does. In World War II and Korea, artillery and In World War II and Korea, artillery and shrapnel killed more American troops shrapnel killed more American troops shrapnel killed more American troops than any other weapon. In Vietnam, it than any other weapon. In Vietnam, it than any other weapon. In Vietnam, it was small arms fire. Here in was small arms fire. Here in was small arms fire. Here in Afghanistan, it's the roadside bomb that Afghanistan, it's the roadside bomb that Afghanistan, it's the roadside bomb that has caused more than 75% of the deaths has caused more than 75% of the deaths has caused more than 75% of the deaths of American and coalition forces. We of American and coalition forces. We of American and coalition forces. We were in eastern Afghanistan, post were in eastern Afghanistan, post were in eastern Afghanistan, post province, walking distance from the province, walking distance from the province, walking distance from the Pakistan border, where many of the bomb Pakistan border, where many of the bomb Pakistan border, where many of the bomb makers are trained.

makers are trained. makers are trained. >> You guys know the threat. There's a lot >> You guys know the threat. There's a lot >> You guys know the threat. There's a lot of stuff going on up there. On this of stuff going on up there. On this of stuff going on up there. On this mission, the Paladin squad was working mission, the Paladin squad was working mission, the Paladin squad was working with a Michigan National Guard unit to with a Michigan National Guard unit to with a Michigan National Guard unit to clear bombs from roads in the area. It's clear bombs from roads in the area. It's clear bombs from roads in the area. It's called Route Clearance Patrol, and there called Route Clearance Patrol, and there called Route Clearance Patrol, and there are 35 of them in Afghanistan. The are 35 of them in Afghanistan. The are 35 of them in Afghanistan. The Pentagon plans on sending 13 more this Pentagon plans on sending 13 more this Pentagon plans on sending 13 more this winter. Specialist Christopher Parsons winter. Specialist Christopher Parsons winter. Specialist Christopher Parsons has been a Guardsman for 3 years. has been a Guardsman for 3 years. has been a Guardsman for 3 years. >> I love the pressure and it puts a lot of >> I love the pressure and it puts a lot of >> I love the pressure and it puts a lot of pressure on me to make sure I do my job pressure on me to make sure I do my job pressure on me to make sure I do my job correctly. correctly. correctly. >> What skill does it take to do your your >> What skill does it take to do your your >> What skill does it take to do your your job? Honestly, uh I'm from Michigan, so job? Honestly, uh I'm from Michigan, so job? Honestly, uh I'm from Michigan, so I love to hunt and that helps a lot. I love to hunt and that helps a lot. I love to hunt and that helps a lot. >> So whether it's hunting deer in Michigan >> So whether it's hunting deer in Michigan >> So whether it's hunting deer in Michigan or hunting IEDs in Afghanistan, same or hunting IEDs in Afghanistan, same or hunting IEDs in Afghanistan, same skill set. skill set. skill set. >> Roger. >> Roger. >> Roger. >> One of his commanding officers told us, >> One of his commanding officers told us, >> One of his commanding officers told us, "Deer hunters like Parsons make the best "Deer hunters like Parsons make the best "Deer hunters like Parsons make the best bomb hunters." With his sharp vision, he bomb hunters." With his sharp vision, he bomb hunters." With his sharp vision, he was able to find one with a trigger was able to find one with a trigger was able to find one with a trigger smaller than his index finger. smaller than his index finger. smaller than his index finger. >> It was a close pin. >> It was a close pin. >> It was a close pin. >> 30 m away, you're moving at what speed? >> 30 m away, you're moving at what speed? >> 30 m away, you're moving at what speed? >> About about 10 15k. And you saw the >> About about 10 15k. And you saw the >> About about 10 15k. And you saw the clothes pin and thought what? clothes pin and thought what? clothes pin and thought what? >> I thought at first when I thought I >> I thought at first when I thought I >> I thought at first when I thought I thought trip wire right away and so I thought trip wire right away and so I thought trip wire right away and so I just started looking more and I saw the just started looking more and I saw the just started looking more and I saw the wire.

wire. wire. >> Thanks to Guardsman Parsons, the bomb >> Thanks to Guardsman Parsons, the bomb >> Thanks to Guardsman Parsons, the bomb was destroyed. The devices can be was destroyed. The devices can be was destroyed. The devices can be triggered by clothes pins, but the blast triggered by clothes pins, but the blast triggered by clothes pins, but the blast are often massive. That's why paladin are often massive. That's why paladin are often massive. That's why paladin teams travel in these specialized, teams travel in these specialized, teams travel in these specialized, highly armored vehicles. Each one costs highly armored vehicles. Each one costs highly armored vehicles. Each one costs nearly a million dollars. This one, nearly a million dollars. This one, nearly a million dollars. This one, called a buffalo, has a large claw-like called a buffalo, has a large claw-like called a buffalo, has a large claw-like arm that can dig for bombs in the road. arm that can dig for bombs in the road. arm that can dig for bombs in the road. Another can snag trip wires lying across Another can snag trip wires lying across Another can snag trip wires lying across the road. the road. the road. >> Thomas Lefay, captain of the National >> Thomas Lefay, captain of the National >> Thomas Lefay, captain of the National Guard unit, says the vehicles are Guard unit, says the vehicles are Guard unit, says the vehicles are targets every time they leave base. targets every time they leave base. targets every time they leave base. >> They know what my purpose is when I roll >> They know what my purpose is when I roll >> They know what my purpose is when I roll out with that buffalo, and they've out with that buffalo, and they've out with that buffalo, and they've watched it enough to know exactly what watched it enough to know exactly what watched it enough to know exactly what that vehicle does. that vehicle does. that vehicle does. >> You leave the gates and people are >> You leave the gates and people are >> You leave the gates and people are watching you, you think. watching you, you think. watching you, you think. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Yep. every time we leave. >> Yep. every time we leave. >> Yep. every time we leave. >> Every day they're going to be out there >> Every day they're going to be out there >> Every day they're going to be out there trying to kill you. trying to kill you. trying to kill you. >> Every time we leave, >> Every time we leave, >> Every time we leave, >> their job was to clear a road so the >> their job was to clear a road so the >> their job was to clear a road so the base commander could drive safely to a base commander could drive safely to a base commander could drive safely to a meeting with a local official 12 mi meeting with a local official 12 mi meeting with a local official 12 mi away. Outside a village, the Buffalo, away. Outside a village, the Buffalo, away. Outside a village, the Buffalo, the most highly armored vehicle in the the most highly armored vehicle in the the most highly armored vehicle in the convoy and the biggest target, stopped convoy and the biggest target, stopped convoy and the biggest target, stopped to dig for a bomb because the squad was to dig for a bomb because the squad was to dig for a bomb because the squad was attacked here just the week before.

attacked here just the week before. attacked here just the week before. >> No bomb. The convoy moved on. But 6 >> No bomb. The convoy moved on. But 6 >> No bomb. The convoy moved on. But 6 minutes later, minutes later, minutes later, Buffalo. >> The buffalo filled with smoke as two >> The buffalo filled with smoke as two powerful bombs buried in the dirt road powerful bombs buried in the dirt road powerful bombs buried in the dirt road exploded, engulfing the vehicle in a exploded, engulfing the vehicle in a exploded, engulfing the vehicle in a huge cloud of dust. Despite their huge cloud of dust. Despite their huge cloud of dust. Despite their training and experience, the squad never training and experience, the squad never training and experience, the squad never saw it coming. saw it coming. saw it coming. >> 366. We're good. We're good. >> 366. We're good. We're good. >> 366. We're good. We're good. >> 10:00 is a guy running 10:00 >> 10:00 is a guy running 10:00 >> 10:00 is a guy running 10:00 >> above our vehicle. >> above our vehicle. >> above our vehicle. >> Look at the tree line. Watch the tree >> Look at the tree line. Watch the tree >> Look at the tree line. Watch the tree line. line. line. >> Shoot them sons of [ __ ] Two bombers >> Shoot them sons of [ __ ] Two bombers >> Shoot them sons of [ __ ] Two bombers got away. The buffalo, which collapsed got away. The buffalo, which collapsed got away. The buffalo, which collapsed in a huge hole, lost its wheel and drive in a huge hole, lost its wheel and drive in a huge hole, lost its wheel and drive shaft. But all three soldiers inside shaft. But all three soldiers inside shaft. But all three soldiers inside survived. One of them, Sergeant Daniel survived. One of them, Sergeant Daniel survived. One of them, Sergeant Daniel D. Roach, that's him with the drive D. Roach, that's him with the drive D. Roach, that's him with the drive shaft, was relieved, but frustrated. shaft, was relieved, but frustrated. shaft, was relieved, but frustrated. >> Same goddamn spot that happens every >> Same goddamn spot that happens every >> Same goddamn spot that happens every time we roll up here. time we roll up here. time we roll up here. >> How many times is that for you? >> How many times is that for you? >> How many times is that for you? >> This is my second hit. >> This is my second hit. >> This is my second hit. >> Cat got the mouse this time, I guess you >> Cat got the mouse this time, I guess you >> Cat got the mouse this time, I guess you could say. could say. could say. Sergeant Cabrera found the detonation Sergeant Cabrera found the detonation Sergeant Cabrera found the detonation wires buried in the road. Easy to do wires buried in the road. Easy to do wires buried in the road. Easy to do here because there are so many dirt here because there are so many dirt here because there are so many dirt roads in Afghanistan. Cabrera and his roads in Afghanistan. Cabrera and his roads in Afghanistan. Cabrera and his partner, Specialist Joshua Gross, told partner, Specialist Joshua Gross, told partner, Specialist Joshua Gross, told us the first bomb hit its target, but us the first bomb hit its target, but us the first bomb hit its target, but the second one, 30 yards away, missed.

the second one, 30 yards away, missed. the second one, 30 yards away, missed. >> This right here was the first explosion >> This right here was the first explosion >> This right here was the first explosion that went off. This right here was the that went off. This right here was the that went off. This right here was the second one. second one. second one. >> In this instance, did the trigger man >> In this instance, did the trigger man >> In this instance, did the trigger man make a mistake or were you guys just make a mistake or were you guys just make a mistake or were you guys just lucky? lucky? lucky? >> Trigger man made a mistake. >> Trigger man made a mistake. >> Trigger man made a mistake. >> And we were lucky. And we're lucky he >> And we were lucky. And we're lucky he >> And we were lucky. And we're lucky he made a mistake. made a mistake. made a mistake. >> Lucky because it's usually the second >> Lucky because it's usually the second >> Lucky because it's usually the second bomb that causes the most casualties. bomb that causes the most casualties. bomb that causes the most casualties. After the first explosion, men like After the first explosion, men like After the first explosion, men like Sergeant Cer go to investigate, and Sergeant Cer go to investigate, and Sergeant Cer go to investigate, and that's when insurgents often set off the that's when insurgents often set off the that's when insurgents often set off the second bomb. second bomb. second bomb. >> Something with your name on it. >> Something with your name on it. >> Something with your name on it. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Meant to maim or kill you? >> Meant to maim or kill you? >> Meant to maim or kill you? >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. Roadside bombs are also meant to prove Roadside bombs are also meant to prove Roadside bombs are also meant to prove to Afghans the United States with its to Afghans the United States with its to Afghans the United States with its superior military still cannot protect superior military still cannot protect superior military still cannot protect its own troops or them. its own troops or them. its own troops or them. >> How much do you think it cost to make a >> How much do you think it cost to make a >> How much do you think it cost to make a IED in Afghanistan? IED in Afghanistan? IED in Afghanistan? >> I would say maybe $10 US. >> I would say maybe $10 US. >> I would say maybe $10 US. >> $10. You could lose your life over >> $10. You could lose your life over >> $10. You could lose your life over >> $10. >> $10. >> $10. One soldier we talked to had been hit by One soldier we talked to had been hit by One soldier we talked to had been hit by IEDs on the same road within a half IEDs on the same road within a half IEDs on the same road within a half kilometer three times. Right. Well, the kilometer three times. Right. Well, the kilometer three times. Right. Well, the the enemy is relentless in the way he the enemy is relentless in the way he the enemy is relentless in the way he employs these. And so you you can't employs these. And so you you can't employs these. And so you you can't stop. Ours is a fight of constant stop. Ours is a fight of constant stop. Ours is a fight of constant consistent pressure where we have to be consistent pressure where we have to be consistent pressure where we have to be relentless just as that enemy is. This relentless just as that enemy is. This relentless just as that enemy is. This is not a fast fight. It's warfare at a is not a fast fight. It's warfare at a is not a fast fight. It's warfare at a snail space. We stopped so often we snail space. We stopped so often we snail space. We stopped so often we averaged just 2 miles an hour. Captain averaged just 2 miles an hour. Captain averaged just 2 miles an hour. Captain Foster thought there might be a bomb Foster thought there might be a bomb Foster thought there might be a bomb hidden in this field. The local farmers hidden in this field. The local farmers hidden in this field. The local farmers seemed friendly enough, but a bomb wire

seemed friendly enough, but a bomb wire seemed friendly enough, but a bomb wire was found on their land. was found on their land. was found on their land. >> It's still sitting here all on the >> It's still sitting here all on the >> It's still sitting here all on the school on the east side of the road. school on the east side of the road. school on the east side of the road. >> We're pulling security on uh the east >> We're pulling security on uh the east >> We're pulling security on uh the east side of the road. You're watching their side of the road. You're watching their side of the road. You're watching their back now. Roger. back now. Roger. back now. Roger. >> One of the vehicles dug for explosives >> One of the vehicles dug for explosives >> One of the vehicles dug for explosives but couldn't find any. With darkness but couldn't find any. With darkness but couldn't find any. With darkness falling, it was up to Sergeant Cabrera falling, it was up to Sergeant Cabrera falling, it was up to Sergeant Cabrera again. So, he put on his 80 lb bombsuit again. So, he put on his 80 lb bombsuit again. So, he put on his 80 lb bombsuit and took what soldiers call the long, and took what soldiers call the long, and took what soldiers call the long, lonely walk. The road appeared safe, but lonely walk. The road appeared safe, but lonely walk. The road appeared safe, but to be sure, he set off two explosive to be sure, he set off two explosive to be sure, he set off two explosive charges. Turns out there wasn't a bomb connected Turns out there wasn't a bomb connected to the command wire. The convoy presumed to the command wire. The convoy presumed to the command wire. The convoy presumed the road was clear enough to move on the road was clear enough to move on the road was clear enough to move on when another bomb exploded behind us. when another bomb exploded behind us. when another bomb exploded behind us. >> Looks like we got out of there in time. >> Looks like we got out of there in time. >> Looks like we got out of there in time. >> Just before midnight, we made it safely >> Just before midnight, we made it safely >> Just before midnight, we made it safely to an old farmhouse turned military to an old farmhouse turned military to an old farmhouse turned military outpost. While his men slept, we talked outpost. While his men slept, we talked outpost. While his men slept, we talked with Captain Foster about a difficult with Captain Foster about a difficult with Captain Foster about a difficult 17-hour day.

17-hour day. 17-hour day. >> So, did you accomplish your mission >> So, did you accomplish your mission >> So, did you accomplish your mission today? today? today? >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> So, after mortars, IEDs, this was a good >> So, after mortars, IEDs, this was a good >> So, after mortars, IEDs, this was a good day. day. day. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. Everybody came home safe. Everybody came home safe. Everybody came home safe. >> You seem a bit somber >> You seem a bit somber >> You seem a bit somber >> or you just exhausted? >> or you just exhausted? >> or you just exhausted? >> Uh, no. It's at the end of the day >> Uh, no. It's at the end of the day >> Uh, no. It's at the end of the day knowing that all my soldiers are safe. knowing that all my soldiers are safe. knowing that all my soldiers are safe. That's when I sit down in a quiet time That's when I sit down in a quiet time That's when I sit down in a quiet time and thank God for watching over them. and thank God for watching over them. and thank God for watching over them. >> Yeah, roger that. He said uh to pull >> Yeah, roger that. He said uh to pull >> Yeah, roger that. He said uh to pull forward. forward. forward. >> Hours later, near the end of their >> Hours later, near the end of their >> Hours later, near the end of their mission, Captain Foster's men were mission, Captain Foster's men were mission, Captain Foster's men were attacked again. attacked again. attacked again. vehicles were hit. vehicles were hit. vehicles were hit. >> Around that bend in the road, the smoke >> Around that bend in the road, the smoke >> Around that bend in the road, the smoke in the distance meant that a massive in the distance meant that a massive in the distance meant that a massive bomb had exploded under the lead vehicle bomb had exploded under the lead vehicle bomb had exploded under the lead vehicle just 2 m from the base. The vehicle just 2 m from the base. The vehicle just 2 m from the base. The vehicle appeared to be total. All three men on appeared to be total. All three men on appeared to be total. All three men on board were injured. Within minutes, board were injured. Within minutes, board were injured. Within minutes, soldiers climbed bridges on both sides soldiers climbed bridges on both sides soldiers climbed bridges on both sides of the road looking for the bomber. of the road looking for the bomber. of the road looking for the bomber. >> They went looking for the trigger man. >> They went looking for the trigger man. >> They went looking for the trigger man. >> But your expectation is that someone had >> But your expectation is that someone had >> But your expectation is that someone had to be eyeballing this convoy in order to be eyeballing this convoy in order to be eyeballing this convoy in order for it to go off?

for it to go off? for it to go off? >> Yes, sir. as the initial expectation. >> Yes, sir. as the initial expectation. >> Yes, sir. as the initial expectation. >> Several men and a child in a car nearby >> Several men and a child in a car nearby >> Several men and a child in a car nearby were questioned and released. In our two were questioned and released. In our two were questioned and released. In our two days on the road, the bomb squad days on the road, the bomb squad days on the road, the bomb squad encountered five bombs. Three soldiers encountered five bombs. Three soldiers encountered five bombs. Three soldiers were injured, two others shaken up. One were injured, two others shaken up. One were injured, two others shaken up. One US vehicle was damaged, another wrecked. US vehicle was damaged, another wrecked. US vehicle was damaged, another wrecked. Not a single bomber was captured or Not a single bomber was captured or Not a single bomber was captured or killed. You've been briefed on the killed. You've been briefed on the killed. You've been briefed on the mission we went on. Was it successful? mission we went on. Was it successful? mission we went on. Was it successful? Overall, yes. It was successful in that Overall, yes. It was successful in that Overall, yes. It was successful in that that force was able to find IEDs. that force was able to find IEDs. that force was able to find IEDs. >> Did they find the IEDs or the IEDs find >> Did they find the IEDs or the IEDs find >> Did they find the IEDs or the IEDs find them? them? them? >> Some of both. Uh, some were found and >> Some of both. Uh, some were found and >> Some of both. Uh, some were found and rendered safe and I think we destroyed rendered safe and I think we destroyed rendered safe and I think we destroyed them and at least one of them. Uh, them and at least one of them. Uh, them and at least one of them. Uh, others we found the hard way. others we found the hard way. others we found the hard way. >> For the American people who see those >> For the American people who see those >> For the American people who see those scenes of the scenes of the scenes of the explosions, vehicles being damaged, you explosions, vehicles being damaged, you explosions, vehicles being damaged, you say, "America just got his butt kicked say, "America just got his butt kicked say, "America just got his butt kicked that day." You say, "What?" Not at all. that day." You say, "What?" Not at all. that day." You say, "What?" Not at all. A vehicle getting blown up, doing what A vehicle getting blown up, doing what A vehicle getting blown up, doing what it was designed to do to absorb that it was designed to do to absorb that it was designed to do to absorb that blast is not us getting our butts blast is not us getting our butts blast is not us getting our butts kicked. It's us removing that threat.

kicked. It's us removing that threat. kicked. It's us removing that threat. >> Do you ever think this is a fight you >> Do you ever think this is a fight you >> Do you ever think this is a fight you can't win? They go out, they place a can't win? They go out, they place a can't win? They go out, they place a bomb, you remove it. The next day, they bomb, you remove it. The next day, they bomb, you remove it. The next day, they put out another bomb. put out another bomb. put out another bomb. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. I mean, I I try not to think about it I mean, I I try not to think about it I mean, I I try not to think about it too much because it doesn't really help too much because it doesn't really help too much because it doesn't really help anybody, you know. anybody, you know. anybody, you know. >> What do you think? Is this the fight you >> What do you think? Is this the fight you >> What do you think? Is this the fight you can win? can win? can win? >> It's me, >> It's me, >> It's me, >> I guess. Guess I guess winning to me is >> I guess. Guess I guess winning to me is >> I guess. Guess I guess winning to me is going home. Really? After our going home. Really? After our going home. Really? After our deployment's done is going home. deployment's done is going home. deployment's done is going home. >> Going home life. >> Going home life. >> Going home life. >> That's how you measure success in >> That's how you measure success in >> That's how you measure success in Afghanistan. Afghanistan. Afghanistan. >> Yes, sir.