With the release of “12 Strong“, I’m replaying my interview with Bart Decker (Episode 008). He and his Special Operations team were some of the first men inserted into Afghanistan after 9/11. They arrived by helicopter and then realized horseback was the only way to move to their target location since many of the ledges were 2′-3′ wide. These men were covert operators named Task Force Dagger that joined up with the Northern Alliance to defeat the Taliban.
The team rode on horseback to capture the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Once they arrived, the Taliban had moved out and his team were welcomed as liberators. Bart also tells us how he controlled his emotions when interacting with John Walker Lindh, the American who converted to Islam and took part in a violent uprising after his capture in Afghanistan.
Decker is now retired after 20+ years serving in the Air Force. He said he wouldn’t go back and change a thing. He loved his time serving his country and has no regrets.
He and his team are forever honored at One World Trade center with a 13’ bronze statue of an American Commando on a horse. Glad to see this story finally making the big screen. I’m sure Decker won’t be mentioned or portrayed in the movie. After all, would you be surprised that an AF guy be highlighted whenever there are SF and/or SEALs in the picture? I don’t think Bart is complaining.
And here is a good article by Jack Murphy describing some controversies with the movie.
More info here:
“Horse Soldiers” by Doug Stanton
Americas Response Monument at One World Trade Center
Sgt Macs Bar on Horse Soldiers and Bart Decker
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Here in Part 2 we find out more about Mike Spann’s final moments in Qala-i-Jangi fortress. At one point, Mike was interviewing American traitor John Walker Lindh. Lindh knew of the uprising that was planned and could have saved Mike’s life, but he never said a word. Instead, when questioned, he remained silent, leading to Spann being overrun and killed.
As a CIA officer, Mike Spann (Johnny Micheal) was in the fortress of Qala-i-Jangi, where Taliban prisoners were being held and questioned. Although these captives had given themselves up, their pledge of surrender was a lie.