Danger Close: Tactical Air Controllers in Afghanistan and Iraq
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Narrated by:
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Claton Butcher
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By:
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Steve Call
About this listen
"America had a secret weapon," writes Steve Call of the period immediately following September 11, 2001, as planners contemplated the invasion of Afghanistan. This weapon consisted of small teams of Special Forces operatives trained in close air support (CAS) who, in cooperation with the loose federation of Afghan rebels opposed to the Taliban regime, soon began achieving impressive - and unexpected - military victories over Taliban forces and the al-Qaeda terrorists they had sponsored. The astounding success of CAS tactics coupled with ground operations in Afghanistan soon drew the attention of military decision makers and would eventually factor into the planning for another campaign: Operation Iraqi Freedom.
But who, exactly, are these air-power experts and what is the function of the TACPs (Tactical Air Control Parties) in which they operate? Danger Close provides a fascinating look at a dedicated, courageous, innovative, and often misunderstood and misused group of military professionals.
Drawing on the gripping first-hand accounts of their battlefield experiences, Steve Call allows the TACPes to speak for themselves. He accompanies their narratives with informed analysis of the development of CAS strategy, including potentially controversial aspects of the interservice rivalries between the Air Force and the Army, which have at times complicated and even obstructed the optimal employment of TACP assets. Danger Close makes clear, however, that the systematic coordination of air power and ground forces played an invaluable supporting role in the initial military victories in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
This first-ever examination of the intense, life-and-death world of the close air support specialist will introduce listeners to a crucial but little-known aspect of contemporary warfare and add a needed chapter in American military history studies.
This book is published by Texas A&M University Press. It is part of the Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series.
©2007 Steve Call (P)2012 Redwood AudiobooksListeners also enjoyed...
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They landed in a dust storm so thick the pilot used dead reckoning and a guess to find the ground. Welcomed by a band of heavily armed militiamen, they climbed a mountain on horseback to meet the most ferocious warlord in Asia. They plotted a war of nineteenth-century maneuvers against a twenty-first-century foe. They trekked through minefields, sometimes past the mangled bodies of local tribesmen who'd shared food with them hours before. The men they helped called them brothers. Hollywood called them the Horse Soldiers. They called themselves Green Berets—Special Forces ODA 595.
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Very timely
- By Mary E. Dasaro on 08-08-22
By: Mark Nutsch, and others
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Masters of Chaos
- The Secret History of Special Forces
- By: Linda Robinson
- Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
- Length: 14 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Special Forces soldiers are daring, seasoned troops from America's heartland, selected in a tough competition and trained in an extraordinary range of skills. They know foreign languages and cultures and unconventional warfare better than any US fighters, and while they prefer to stay out of the limelight, veteran war correspondent Linda Robinson gained access to their closed world. She traveled with them on the frontlines, interviewed them at length on their home bases, and studied their doctrine, methods, and history.
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Story of Special Forces
- By Austin Pearson on 02-28-18
By: Linda Robinson
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Run to the Sound of the Guns
- The True Story of an American Ranger at War in Afghanistan and Iraq
- By: Nicholas Moore, Mir Bahmanyar
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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As part of an elite special operations unit at the fighting edge of the Global War on Terrorism, Nicholas Moore spent over a decade with the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. In this compelling biography, a detailed narrative of grueling life on the ground combines with accounts of some of the most dramatic search and rescue operations of the period to tell the true story of life on the line in the War on Terror.
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A Modern Ranger story, honest and candid
- By Tony on 06-24-19
By: Nicholas Moore, and others
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No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy
- The Life of General James Mattis
- By: Jim Proser
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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The first in-depth look at the marine hero who has become one of the most beloved and admired men in America today: Secretary of Defense James Mattis. In this illuminating biography, Jim Proser looks beyond Mattis’ professional competence to focus on the driving element behind Mattis’ success: his unimpeachable character - a formidable personal integrity that fosters universal confidence. Proser carefully examines the events of Mattis’ life and career to reveal a man who leads with insight, humor, fighting courage, and fierce compassion.
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Final 7 minutes is all that covers SecDef
- By jeffrey jones on 08-11-18
By: Jim Proser
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Modern American Snipers
- By: Chris Martin
- Narrated by: Peter Larkin
- Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Most people think of snipers as shooters perched in urban hides, dealing out death unseen from a considerable distance. But this description barely scratches the surface. Special operations snipers are men with stacked skill sets who have the ability to turn the tide of battles, even when they aren't pulling the trigger. Snipers have played an outsized role in the War on Terror that has earned them the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and countless other honors.
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More detail on stories you've already read
- By Steve on 03-09-15
By: Chris Martin
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Day of the Rangers
- The Battle of Mogadishu 25 Years On
- By: Leigh Neville, Matt Eversmann - foreword
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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On October 3, 1993, Task Force Ranger was dispatched to seize two high-profile lieutenants of a Somali warlord. Special Forces troops were transported by ground vehicles and helicopters, and the mission was meant to be over within the hour. They quickly found themselves under heavy fire, and two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down. With a hastily organized relief column many hours away, the American troops faced a desperate battle for survival.
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Wow. Great story
- By dexter on 09-21-18
By: Leigh Neville, and others
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Relentless Strike
- The Secret History of Joint Special Operations Command
- By: Sean Naylor
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 19 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Relentless Strike tells the inside story of Joint Special Operations Command, the secret military organization that, during the past decade, has revolutionized counterterrorism, seamlessly fusing intelligence and operational skills to conduct missions that hit the headlines and those that have remained in the shadows - until now. Because JSOC includes the military's most storied special operations units - Delta Force, SEAL Team Six, the 75th Ranger Regiment - as well as America's most secret aviation and intelligence units, this is their story, too.
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Horrible narrator
- By Michael on 08-19-19
By: Sean Naylor
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Abandoned in Hell
- The Fight for Vietnam's Fire Base Kate
- By: William Albracht, Marvin Wolf
- Narrated by: Brian O'Neill
- Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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In October 1969, Captain William Albracht, the youngest Green Beret in Vietnam, took command of a remote hilltop outpost called Fire Base Kate, held by only 27 American soldiers and 150 Montagnard militiamen. He found their defenses woefully unprepared. At dawn the next morning, three North Vietnamese Army regiments - some 6,000 men - crossed the Cambodian border and attacked.
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Amazing story
- By Effie on 04-12-16
By: William Albracht, and others
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Heroes Among Us
- Firsthand Accounts of Combat from America's Most Decorated Warriors in Iraq and Afghanistan
- By: Chuck Larson
- Narrated by: Lloyd James
- Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Over one million Americans have served in Iraq and Afghanistan in the past four years, but fewer than 500 from this group have earned a Silver Star, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, or the Medal of Honor. Those who have been awarded these distinguished honors all demonstrated an extraordinary courage under fire in the worst of circumstances.
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Wow!
- By John on 01-28-10
By: Chuck Larson
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American Soldier
- By: General Tommy R. Franks, Malcolm McConnell
- Narrated by: Eric Conger
- Length: 19 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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The Commander in Chief of the United States Central Command from July 2000 through July 2003, General Tommy Franks made history leading American and Coalition forces to victory in Afghanistan and Iraq, the decisive battles that launched the war on terrorism.
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even more proud of our military
- By Brian on 08-12-04
By: General Tommy R. Franks, and others
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Kill Bin Laden
- A Delta Force Commander's Account of the Hunt for the World's Most Wanted Man
- By: Dalton Fury
- Narrated by: David Drummond
- Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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This work offers a firsthand account of the Battle of Tora Bora and an insider's look at the extraordinary nature of America's supersecret counterterrorist unit---an elite and mysterious group known as Delta Force.
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Ex-military that can relate.
- By William on 02-10-15
By: Dalton Fury
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The Fighting 69th
- By: Sean Michael Flynn
- Narrated by: Erik Steele
- Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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On the eve of September 11, 2001, New York City's famous National Guard regiment, the fighting 69th Infantry, was not fit for duty. Most of its soldiers were immigrant kids with no prior military experience, and their equipment was derelict. The thought of deploying such a unit was laughable. Sean Flynn, himself a member of the 69th, memorably chronicles the transformation of this motley band of amateur soldiers into a battle-hardened troop at work in one of the most lethal quarters of Baghdad.
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Impressive and inspiring
- By Gryphon on 02-23-08
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The Fires of Babylon
- Eagle Troop and the Battle of 73 Easting
- By: Mike Guardia
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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On the morning of August 2, 1990, Iraqi armored divisions invaded the tiny emirate of Kuwait. The Iraqi Army, after its long war with Iran, had more combat experience than the US Army. The Kuwaitis had collapsed easily enough, but the invasion drew fierce condemnation from the United Nations, which demanded Hussein's withdrawal. Undeterred by the rhetoric, the Iraqi dictator massed his forces along the Saudi Arabian border and dared the world to stop him.
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Good picture of Desert Storm unit action
- By Brent on 05-11-18
By: Mike Guardia
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Navy SEALs: Their Untold Story
- By: Dick Couch, William Doyle
- Narrated by: Will Damron
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Written with the unprecedented cooperation of the Naval Special Warfare community, here is the definitive history of the U.S. Navy SEALs, a thrilling chronicle that reveals the inside story behind the greatest combat operations of our nation’s most celebrated warriors.
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Credit BUSTER
- By John-Michael on 11-24-14
By: Dick Couch, and others
What listeners say about Danger Close: Tactical Air Controllers in Afghanistan and Iraq
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- who care
- 07-21-24
Great narrator
Finally a narrator who can read acronyms correctly. Also a very detailed look into skill of combat air controlling.
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- Ray
- 02-12-13
Riveting, Enlightening, and Sobering
Listening to Danger Close by Steve Call and narrated by Claton Butcher was an incredible experience for me. I had heard of some of the heroic things that took place in Afganistan and Iraq, but to listen to the 1st hand accounts of these men in life and death situations putting their lives on the line for their comrades and using their training, knowledge and ingenuity to make a major difference in these wars was inspiring. I listened to the book as I was driving to and from appointments during work, and I found that sometimes I didn't want to turn it off because I was caught up so much in the battle that was taking place.
Steve did a tremendous job of explaining the role of the TACPes and using the 1st hand experiences to bring to life the responsibility and the ability they had and how they made a difference in the battles. I came away with a new appreciation for what our men in uniforms do in the battlefields and the real danger that they face in those battles. I also came to understand this un-known team of men that make a major impact on the success of the United States in these wars.
Claton did a great job of narrating the book. He was able to read it with enough emotion to keep it alive, but was able to let me get my emotions tied up in the story. His voice is alive and really read well with the book.
I noticed that there was a one star rating. I don't how anyone who reads or listens to this book can come away without being in awe of what these men do to fulfill their duty and protect freedom around the world. I would recommend that if you haven't listened to this book that you do so and you to will be amazed at the wonderful work this special team of men do to make a real difference in the wars that are fought. Danger Close was written well by Steve Call and read well by Claton Butcher.
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6 people found this helpful
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- noah
- 04-17-18
good book
I liked it alot, but the narrating was dry and made it hard to finish.
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2 people found this helpful
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- David
- 05-28-23
Great Story; Clinical Presentation
Great story. The writing lacked a bit of polish, but very interesting and well done.
The actually audio presentation has a couple of repeated sections and several blank sections. If these were redacted sections, there should be a beep or something to let the user know that it’s not simply poor production quality.
The speaker lacked any sort of enthusiasm. Reminds me of the teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Given all of this, it’s still worth getting and listening to as the subject matter Carrie’s the book.
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- BT
- 12-27-19
Old & Outdated
The info presented is dated and lacking in critical detail. Additionally, battle details seem to be adjusted for the glorification of a defunct position (ALO).
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1 person found this helpful
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- Nickolas Williamson
- 07-08-22
Like listening to a child trying to read Dr. Seuss
I usually always take narrator reviews with a grain of salt. But this is utterly horrible. Not only does the guy have zero emotion towards the reading, but it feels like he struggles with reading in general. It's like having a kid try to sell vacuum cleaners door to door and read off of a pamphlet. Who thought this was a good idea??
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- KansasRancher
- 10-01-13
Need a new Narrator
What would have made Danger Close: Tactical Air Controllers in Afghanistan and Iraq better?
A narrator with some feeling in his voice. Less political history and more stories of the actual air controller battle history. The narration was deadpan!
How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?
More battlefield action or technical explanation as to what it takes to bring various air assets on targets.
What didn’t you like about Claton Butcher’s performance?
Deadpan and monotonous
You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?
I found some of the stories to be excellent. I just wish someone else would have told them.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Beth Harker
- 04-14-15
No story or characters.
The narrator speaks so slowly and the facts presented are FAR from engaging that I had to speed up the audio to get through this book. Horrible! So bad-I actually returned the audio book.
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2 people found this helpful