A "never-before-told true story of an army aviation task force during combat in the Afghan War, told by the commanding officer who was there. Set in the very valleys where the attacks of 9/11 were conceived, and where ten Medals of Honor have been earned since that fateful day the war began, the narrative races from ferocious firefights and bravery in battle to the quiet moments where the courageous men and women of Task Force Pale Horse catch their breath before they take to the skies again" -- From the publisher.

Includes index. Includes maps of: [Afghanistan-Pakistan Border, Paktiya-Nangahar-Konar and Vicinity].

Surrounded by talent -- Pre-deployment site survey -- Wanat -- Air cavalry reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquistion -- A cavalry state of mind -- A hateful day -- Leaving -- It all begins -- Counterinsurgency -- Korengal -- Learning the hard way -- Cowboys and Indians -- Bari Ali -- Mountain warrior -- The plan begins to unravel -- The watapur -- Summer -- Ganjgal and Shuryak -- Getting out of Nuristan -- COP Keating -- COP Lowell -- Bittersweet goodbye.