Hammerhead Six cover art

Hammerhead Six

How Green Berets Waged an Unconventional War Against the Taliban to Win in Afghanistan's Deadly Pech Valley

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Hammerhead Six

By: Ronald Fry, Tad Tuleja - contributor
Narrated by: Ronald Fry
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About this listen

Two years before the action in Lone Survivor, a team of Green Berets conducted a very different successful mission in Afghanistan's notorious Pech Valley. Led by Captain Ronald Fry, Hammerhead Six applied the principles of unconventional warfare to "win hearts and minds" and fight against the terrorist insurgency.

In 2003, the Special Forces soldiers entered an area later called "the most dangerous place in Afghanistan". Here, where the line between civilians and armed zealots was indistinct, they illustrated the Afghan proverb "I destroy my enemy by making him my friend." Fry recounts how they were seen as welcome guests rather than invaders. Soon after their deployment ended, the Pech Valley reverted to turmoil. Their success was never replicated.

Hammerhead Six finally reveals how cultural respect and hard work (and the occasional machine-gun burst) were more than a match for the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

©2016 Ronald Fry (P)2016 Hachette Audio Armed Forces Military Special & Elite Forces War Solider

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All stars
Most relevant  
A fantastic account of the realities of what is required for deconfliction between differing cultures.

Outstanding, insightful, humble and moving!

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A refreshingly unconventional story of soldiering with an emphasis on cultural deference and understanding that offers up an alternative vision for how the most recent war in Afghanistan might have been 'fought' and 'won'. Well written and very well-read. It took me a chapter or two to get into but is well worth the credit.

Outstanding

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Interesting and informative insight into how an unconventional war could be and should be undertaken. The most important aspect is understanding the ordinary people just want to live in peace but when pushed into a corner will, if they are given the opportunity, come out fighting. It's such a waste of lives, time and money when the hearts and minds approach is shunned by the body count merchants. After the experiences of Vietnam and Irag it saddens me that the military leaders in the United States refuse to learn.

Enlightened Approach

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A riveting narrative that was easy to digest and fascinating. Not a typical infantry account but a nuanced interpretation of how to most effectively use special forces and conduct counter-insurgency operations intelligently.

Riveting story and a naunced perspective

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Great story of a never to be forgotten history.
When do politics wake
up. They had it right and did the right thing

How it could be

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i always like books narrated by the author, the story always seems more authentic and genuine.
when i started this book i was expecting another story of intense fighting and sacrifice, but what i got was so much more. as an ex army nco i truly beleive this book should become a standard text for anyone of rank in any military ground force. the author's selfless leadership style, respect for his subordinates and willingness to fully understand the local culture in which he he operates, is both brilliant and humbling to listen to. if only we had more Ronald Fry's in this world....

genuinely enlightening

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One of the very best books I have read. Having read what the Red Bearded Commander managed to accomplish through care and protection over against gung-ho bravado it was not surprising that the follow up tours were more of the usual bullets, collateral damage and resentment, that's what the politicians want, it pays the bills. Awesome accomplishments from the professionals though and what they achieved. Brilliantly written with humility.

There is another way

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