Border Checkpoint Engagement

• 🚀 A border checkpoint at 2911 meters (10,000 feet) elevation was subjected to a rocket attack, with approximately 20 rockets landing nearby.
• 🚧 Initially, the soldiers lacked Hesco barriers for protection, relying on the mountain's elevation and makeshift cover.
• 🔍 Following the attack, a Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) patrol was conducted, leading to the discovery of enemy rocket positions.
• 🎯 During the BDA, an enemy patrol was spotted, prompting the setup of a hasty ambush, which was inadvertently compromised by an Afghan soldier.

Inadvertent Border Crossing

• 🎥 An enemy video camera was recovered, containing intelligence on their reconnaissance of US positions and equipment, including surface-to-air missile components.
• 💡 After observing enemy lights on the mountain that night, 105mm artillery rounds were fired at their suspected location.
• 🗺️ During a subsequent BDA patrol, the platoon leader realized they had inadvertently crossed the border into Pakistan while following a trail.
• ⚠️ An enemy patrol was then sighted, moving in a tactical formation, leading to a tense standoff.

Intense Firefight and Challenges

• 💥 The firefight began when an interpreter loudly charged his AK, immediately drawing enemy attention and leading to initial engagements and kills.
• 📞 The platoon leader received a radio call from Bravo 6, ordering them to "get the hell out of Pakistan now".
• 🤯 The situation quickly escalated as the platoon realized they were heavily outnumbered and being enveloped, with bullets flying from multiple directions.
• 📻 Radio communications were lost, preventing calls for artillery support amidst intense enemy fire, including grenades.

Tactical Withdrawal Under Fire

• 🏃‍♂️ Despite being in excellent physical shape, the soldiers were severely exhausted and short of breath due to heavy gear and high altitude, making running impossible.
• 🤕 A LAW rocket fired by Sergeant Miller temporarily halted the intense firefight, providing a brief respite.
• 🩸 Private Smith sustained a face injury but bravely continued to fight, refusing to leave his platoon.
• 📉 Facing critically low ammunition and overwhelming enemy pressure, Sergeant Zimmerman provided covering fire with a SAW, allowing the platoon to withdraw to their trucks.

Aftermath and Reflection

• ✅ Upon reaching the trucks, radio contact was re-established, and an ACE report confirmed the dire ammunition situation.
• Decision was made to pull out due to lack of ammunition, support, and a casualty, a choice that weighed heavily on the platoon leader.
• 📍 The incident occurred near the Duran Line, with the platoon leader humorously referring to their withdrawal point as the "Fernandez Line."