1SG DeGroff was my 1SG in SWC for SF BNCOC before we went to Phase 1. I later saw him in Kuwait in early 2003 before the ground war kicked off. He was a CSM by then, surrounded with an entourage of E-7s. He started out as a Weapons Sergeant in 1st Bn, 5th Group. Big SCUBA guy with massive quads, pretty jacked. He went to SWC after that to run special methods of insertion oversight in 2nd Bn if I recall. Then he went to 3rd Group to be a SCUBA Team Daddy. Got promoted to 1SG where he was our NCO Academy NCOIC.
Been waiting a LONG time for someone to do a podcast interview of this team and team leader. Great interview HGP, Bulldog, ‘Ski, all those guys on this op were faced with real world decisions and they performed with professionalism. More old school; world; guys interviews pls.
I know I saw this story re-enacted on History channel or Military channel. Is that on youtube?? It's the same story. IT also focused on the F16 pilots trying to identify the target points, and their reluctance as it was all danger close.
Exactly!!! Danger close. It got quiet. No response. Then …..PERFECT HIT. OERFECT HIT. pilot was relieved. Then he hears. CAN YOU BRING IT IN A LITTLE CLOSER.
You guys probably won’t believe this but holy shit I’m not kidding as I’m listening to this in my backyard A BALD EAGLE FLEW 20 FEET OVER MY HEAD!!!! I live in the pnw so it’s not uncommon to see eagles around here but it’s dope one flew over as I was listening to this.
I love this man. I saw him speak in the Desert Storm documentary. He mentioned that they decided not to kill the "two young girls and the young Iraqi boy who looked into the peephole where two of the special forces team were hiding." So, he said to his men that this war "wasn't the children's war." That is why The Creator let them live without a scratch, because they showed kindness and humanity where their own life was going to be in serious danger. God bless him and his family and those professionals like him who always keep their military promise. Thank you for this magnificent interview. All the best.
This was ODA525 and the leader wasn't a "Sergeant Baldwin" but rather CW2 Balwanz. There is a podcast that I believe he is part of that covers this fight. ua-cam.com/video/Ksmg0U2ILo8/v-deo.html
You could speak on it if you ever served at that level otherwise be quiet about "professional outcomes" just listen and learn no op is the same as the next
A cool, calm headed highly intelligent leader Bulldog is . And ole Jimbo Hovermale I believe his name was. Bulldog thought lot his comrades and wanted make it priority 1 they get home alive and complete the mission . Wow . Technology has come so far since then . Even with satellites and drones now , you still got have eyes and ears on the ground to this day . God bless our soldiers and our great nation 🇺🇸
Btw, This is what happens when the intel is worth jack squat. Old sat photos, wrong type of soil, too many civilians about, etc, can get ya killed in actual combat. A clusterfuck of unexpected events.
I just have to say how excited i am that i found this. Chad is my cousin and he is not only a hero, but a genuine gentleman. ❤
How do you not have more subs? Your content is great.
I feel the same way brother, a great podcast without all the fluff and rambling! 👍
Tell us about it! :) Thanks for listening, and please spread the word!
Jay Bird thanks for listening, and thanks for the feedback! Spread the word!
Hey HPG new sub holy sh!t this interview was great! Criminal y’all don’t have more subs
Very Interesting. My brother was on this team. I never got the total story. Thank You - CW4 Balwanz.
Damn! Thanks for sharing…Think your brother would be interested in doing the podcast?
@@HazardGroundPodcast Sorry he passed away several years ago.
My dad was on that team
1SG DeGroff was my 1SG in SWC for SF BNCOC before we went to Phase 1. I later saw him in Kuwait in early 2003 before the ground war kicked off. He was a CSM by then, surrounded with an entourage of E-7s. He started out as a Weapons Sergeant in 1st Bn, 5th Group. Big SCUBA guy with massive quads, pretty jacked. He went to SWC after that to run special methods of insertion oversight in 2nd Bn if I recall. Then he went to 3rd Group to be a SCUBA Team Daddy. Got promoted to 1SG where he was our NCO Academy NCOIC.
I read about this back not long after Desert Storm in Soldier of Fortune. What an awesome story about some truly special men.
Been waiting a LONG time for someone to do a podcast interview of this team and team leader. Great interview HGP, Bulldog, ‘Ski, all those guys on this op were faced with real world decisions and they performed with professionalism. More old school; world; guys interviews pls.
Thank you, and thanks for listening and supporting the show! We're always looking for unique stories like Chad's, so keep an eye for more like his!
@Braydon Killeen hey If you are who I think you are we played basketball and your dad coached.
Another interesting and great video, thanks!
Thanks!!!
I'm friends with one of the guys from 525. Hell of a good man, and an even better Christian.
thank you .
I know I saw this story re-enacted on History channel or Military channel. Is that on youtube?? It's the same story. IT also focused on the F16 pilots trying to identify the target points, and their reluctance as it was all danger close.
Exactly!!! Danger close. It got quiet. No response. Then …..PERFECT HIT. OERFECT HIT. pilot was relieved. Then he hears. CAN YOU BRING IT IN A LITTLE CLOSER.
You guys probably won’t believe this but holy shit I’m not kidding as I’m listening to this in my backyard A BALD EAGLE FLEW 20 FEET OVER MY HEAD!!!! I live in the pnw so it’s not uncommon to see eagles around here but it’s dope one flew over as I was listening to this.
Jacob Ragazzo hell yeah!! 🦅
Some similarities between this story and the ill-fated Bravo Two Zero patrol, for sure.
I love this man. I saw him speak in the Desert Storm documentary. He mentioned that they decided not to kill the "two young girls and the young Iraqi boy who looked into the peephole where two of the special forces team were hiding." So, he said to his men that this war "wasn't the children's war." That is why The Creator let them live without a scratch, because they showed kindness and humanity where their own life was going to be in serious danger. God bless him and his family and those professionals like him who always keep their military promise. Thank you for this magnificent interview. All the best.
My dad was on that team they said they would not kill women or children
This was ODA525 and the leader wasn't a "Sergeant Baldwin" but rather CW2 Balwanz. There is a podcast that I believe he is part of that covers this fight.
ua-cam.com/video/Ksmg0U2ILo8/v-deo.html
Similar mission to B20.Similar compromise. Much more professional outcome. Bulldog brought all his men back.
You could speak on it if you ever served at that level otherwise be quiet about "professional outcomes" just listen and learn no op is the same as the next
Biggest difference is B20 was told to take vehicles multiple times. Balwanz’s SR mission required hide site overwatch according to the profile.
This man is factual
RIP Charlie Hopkins
A cool, calm headed highly intelligent leader Bulldog is . And ole Jimbo Hovermale I believe his name was. Bulldog thought lot his comrades and wanted make it priority 1 they get home alive and complete the mission . Wow . Technology has come so far since then . Even with satellites and drones now , you still got have eyes and ears on the ground to this day . God bless our soldiers and our great nation 🇺🇸
Btw, This is what happens when the intel is worth jack squat. Old sat photos, wrong type of soil, too many civilians about, etc, can get ya killed in actual combat. A clusterfuck of unexpected events.
And with technology we have now it’s still this way . Still lot a SNAFU ( situation normal all f’ed up ) your right sometimes it cost lives .