Controversy & Clarity #17--Aaron Reep (Voices of HKIA Series)
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In this episode, we discuss the following topics.
*Aaron’s thoughts on the two-year anniversary of Copperhead Company’s arrival at HKIA
*His experiences as a rifle platoon commander with the 26th MEU and combat advisor with TF Southwest and how these influenced the way he led at HKIA
*C/1/8’s deployment with the 24th MEU prior to heading to HKIA
*The company’s training and preparations for the NEO
*TDGs and the benefits they provide for learning ROEs
*How TDGs translated to real-world application at HKIA
*When C/1/8 first got news it was heading to Kabul for sure and the reaction of the Marines
*Aaron’s understanding of the situation on the ground before getting to HKIA
*C/1/8’s first day there, 15 August
*The company’s role in the fight for the airfield and perimeter security
*1/8’s employment of maneuver warfare concepts and tools
*Aaron’s reaction to the National Strike Unit’s clearing of the airfield
*Instances where Coppehead Company came under fire
*Concerns that Coalition forces might have to carry out an “Alamo” operation in northern HKIA
*Aaron’s reaction to the news that Coalition forces would work with the Taliban
*Charlie Company’s opening of North and East Gates as evacuation control centers
*A detailed summary of events and commentary on gate operations at East Gate
*What it was like working with the Taliban
*The need to become emotionally hardened while working with the crowds
*How these crowds could quickly become the enemy in situations
*Charlie Company’s fight to provide and maintain a sense of calm, order, and process for the crowd
*The appearance of the NSU at East Gate
*The concepts of unity of command and battlespace and their application at East Gate
*Special operators and special missions and the effects these had on gate operations
*The decision to give up the picket line at East Gate
*The continued relevance of MCDP-1 Warfighting
*What C/1/8 was doing on 26 August, the day of the Abbey Gate Bombing, and how it responded to the situation
*The company’s actions between 27 August and its departure from HKIA
*The rules of engagement at HKIA
*What Aaron observed in himself and his Marines your Marines in the aftermath of the mission
*His advice for future leaders on talking to their people about going through situations like HKIA
*The role of mental health checks, mental services, and other kinds of support
*What it was like returning home to Camp Lejeune
*The influence and role of cell phones at HKIA
*The demil efforts
*The order to clean up trash
*The ROEs at HKIA
*Aaron’s interactions with the State Department
*Support provided by the BLT’s engineer platoon
*The MEU’s Female Search Team?
*Creating and maintaining a culture of discipline within Charlie Company
*The roles that exhaustion and discipline played at HKIA
*The actions of Coppehead Company that make Aaron proudest
*His self-assessment as a leader and decision-maker at HKIA
*The lessons he took away from HKIA, including those with potential implications for FD 2030
*Operating in a way that accounts for long-term implications of decisions
*The one thing Aaron would like Marines and other service members to know about what C/1/8 did at HKIA