JUNE 2012. AT BAGRAM AIRFIELD, ZURKOWSKI AND HIS WINGMAN PREPARE THEIR A-10S FOR FLIGHT.
BUT MOMENTS AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ROUTINE MISSION TURNS INTO SOMETHING MORE.
ZURKOWSKI: We were re-rolled to what is called troops in contact.
That meant somebody on the ground was taking fire and they were requesting support.
THAT SOMEBODY IS A NINETY-MEMBER SPECIAL OPERATIONS TEAM.
THEY’RE RETURNING FROM A MISSION DEEP IN TALIBAN TERRITORY.