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Pale Horse: Hunting Terrorists and Commanding Heroes with the 101st Airborne Division
Pale Horse is the remarkable 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.
Jimmy F. Blackmon writes with a power and hard-hitting honesty that leaps off the page. He has the respect of the men and women of his brigade, and a command of the narrative to tell their story. From pilots of lethal Apache attack helicopters who strike fear in their enemies to the medevac soldiers who risk their lives daily, these are warriors from a variety of backgrounds who learned selflessness and found the closest brotherhood they ever knew through the crucible of war. Pale Horse both honors and commemorates the service of this elite task force from the unique vantage point of the commander who led them in battle.
Jimmy F. Blackmon writes with a power and hard-hitting honesty that leaps off the page. He has the respect of the men and women of his brigade, and a command of the narrative to tell their story. From pilots of lethal Apache attack helicopters who strike fear in their enemies to the medevac soldiers who risk their lives daily, these are warriors from a variety of backgrounds who learned selflessness and found the closest brotherhood they ever knew through the crucible of war. Pale Horse both honors and commemorates the service of this elite task force from the unique vantage point of the commander who led them in battle.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
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530 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 3, 2016
I’ve appreciated those involve with the US Army combat aviation after reading this book in ways that I never did before. There doesn’t seem to be that many books on combat helicopter pilots so I imagine this book would have staying power as books recommend for military officers’ professional reading. If this book isn’t in any professional reading list yet I think it should be soon as recommended reading at some level of the military.
The author of this book was the former commander of Task Force Pale Horse, an Army aviation unit from the 101st Air Assault Division. The task force was named after a biblical passage in Romans of one of the Four Horsemen in the book of Revelation. The Pale Horse brings about death. This book tells the story of the task force’s war in Afghanistan in 2009. They were assigned to one of the most dangerous area in Afghanistan in the Kunar valley and Nuristan. These areas witnessed some of the most intense fight in the whole US-Afghan war. It’s the region where Lone Survivor takes place. It’s the area where combat post Restrepo is located at, which itself is the subject of a popular documentary. It’s also the region where most American service members was fighting in that was awarded the Medal of Honor.
I love the way the author told the stories of his men. I didn’t feel it was a focus on his own pride and prestige. Rather the author did a good job in giving us a window of the lives of his soldiers and pilots. I realize that at times those who are in the infantry can make of those who are not grunts; I think grunts and former grunts should read this book to appreciate the men and women who go above and beyond their limits in providing close combat air support for those down in the ground. There are so many stories of pilots getting shot up in their aircraft going back into the combat zone because they couldn’t let the infantry down. This book was also very emotional to read with accounts of those injured, wounded and killed. I appreciated how the author has had many combat deployments in Iraq and elsewhere before his deployment to Afghanistan. With his experience and background, for him to describe how the combat was more difficult in Afghanistan than his previous deployments made me realize just how horrific their combat was in Afghanistan. One of the points that stood out to me as I read this book was the author stating more than once of how surprising it is that soldiers handle the deaths of comrades. Some soldiers seems like they would handle it well but it turn out otherwise. Meanwhile some soldiers seems like they are going to totally breakdown turn out that they handle it much better than expected. I also appreciate the book discussing the emotional draining moments of bringing an intense deployment to a close. This book was emotional for me to read. I salute those who are in the Air Calvary and those involved in close air support. Of course that appreciation for these guys wouldn’t have been possible in a deeper way if it wasn’t for this book.
The author of this book was the former commander of Task Force Pale Horse, an Army aviation unit from the 101st Air Assault Division. The task force was named after a biblical passage in Romans of one of the Four Horsemen in the book of Revelation. The Pale Horse brings about death. This book tells the story of the task force’s war in Afghanistan in 2009. They were assigned to one of the most dangerous area in Afghanistan in the Kunar valley and Nuristan. These areas witnessed some of the most intense fight in the whole US-Afghan war. It’s the region where Lone Survivor takes place. It’s the area where combat post Restrepo is located at, which itself is the subject of a popular documentary. It’s also the region where most American service members was fighting in that was awarded the Medal of Honor.
I love the way the author told the stories of his men. I didn’t feel it was a focus on his own pride and prestige. Rather the author did a good job in giving us a window of the lives of his soldiers and pilots. I realize that at times those who are in the infantry can make of those who are not grunts; I think grunts and former grunts should read this book to appreciate the men and women who go above and beyond their limits in providing close combat air support for those down in the ground. There are so many stories of pilots getting shot up in their aircraft going back into the combat zone because they couldn’t let the infantry down. This book was also very emotional to read with accounts of those injured, wounded and killed. I appreciated how the author has had many combat deployments in Iraq and elsewhere before his deployment to Afghanistan. With his experience and background, for him to describe how the combat was more difficult in Afghanistan than his previous deployments made me realize just how horrific their combat was in Afghanistan. One of the points that stood out to me as I read this book was the author stating more than once of how surprising it is that soldiers handle the deaths of comrades. Some soldiers seems like they would handle it well but it turn out otherwise. Meanwhile some soldiers seems like they are going to totally breakdown turn out that they handle it much better than expected. I also appreciate the book discussing the emotional draining moments of bringing an intense deployment to a close. This book was emotional for me to read. I salute those who are in the Air Calvary and those involved in close air support. Of course that appreciation for these guys wouldn’t have been possible in a deeper way if it wasn’t for this book.
May 10, 2020
An excellent read that kept me engaged from the beginning. One can easily imagine themselves standing in the TOC, sitting in one of the helicopters during a mission, or lying in your bed with your thoughts. One of my biggest take-aways was the amount of trust and confidence he built within his organization by allowing every level of leadership to make critical decisions and not second guess themselves. The details of people throughout this book that he knew, within his command and those he met once during a mission, are striking. A book that is now on the list for my sons to read when the time comes.
March 12, 2022
I've read numerous autobiographies written by US veterans of the war in Afghanistan.
This autobio was written by a Ltn. Colonel, the commander of all aviation in the Kandahar & Komesh valleys in southern Afghanistan; directly across the border from Pakistan. I've read other books that have focused on specific battles that are included in this book. Blackmon's book is about his one year tour of duty in Afghanistan (his 3rd or 4th tour), it's a VERY detailed account of how he trains pilots, infantrymen, how he works with intelligence officer (a woman).
Throughout the book he reminisces about his childhood growing up in the mountains of Northern Georgia; where he learned to hunt & survival skills. His childhood story is woven throughout the book whenever there's a parallel between his life and the soldier that he's writing about.
Blackmon, like many other officers that are good leaders whose books I've also read, is emotionally involved with ALL his men. Jimmy knows their names, their families, their wives are friends with his wife. When his men are wounded or killed, it's painful for him. He discusses how different soldiers deal with grief (over the loss of a brother in arms) differently and that it's impossible to predict how that man will deal with grief by knowing him.
The reason this book gets 3* and not more because there's far TOO MUCH detail about the names of every soldier, the rank of every soldier that he encounters throughout his tour.
I know Blackmon's intention was to not miss the contribution of every man by going through his and THEIR journals, so his story is accurate. The problem is, the ranks, titles, names take up so MUCH of the book, it doesn't leave space for him to develop the personalities because we never come to KNOW these people because there's at least a 100 of them throughout the book.
Blackmon needed a ghost writer & an EDITOR, to remove all these names & ranks, so he could focus on the personalities and make the book interesting because the characters are developed. Other than the intelligence officer, the only woman, with whom he works watching the battles remotely, we don't get to know others.
I've read books about the assault on COP Keating & other FOB (forward operating bases) that were overrun by terrorists... some of them are scary as hell to read. I've read two that were so intense that I had to take a break because my heart was pounding.
Blackmon's book is an OVERVIEW of these famous battles & his view is from the air because his POV is via his helicopter pilots (Apache, Blackhawk, Chinhook, Kiowa). His ability to SEE hundreds of well-armed, battle-hardened Taliban terrorists running down the mountain to overrun the FOB that were mostly BUILT AT THE BOTTOM of valleys surrounded by 12,000' mountains on all sides, is frightening. It's amazing how he's able to direct so many different aircraft into these battles, especially since a few of the helicopters are shot down or the men inside then mortally wounded.
This book is another indictment of Gen. Petreaus's STUPID policy of ordering US troops to establish FOB & COP bases in the MOST VULNERABLE places in the region of Afghanistan that was held by the Taliban; HOURS away from Baghram Air Force Base (increasing the risk of death of the wounded because the flight was so long).
Jimmy Blackmon's goal at the outset of his tour is to CLOSE all these death trap FOBs that are in regions of southern Afghanistan that was of NO strategic value to the US or the Afghan government; these regions are filled with tribes, some of who don't even know the government exists. These tribes live by ancient laws, as they have for centuries and nothing is going to change that.
The point of the book is that due to the stupidity & ego of some generals, hundreds of American (probably British too) lives were lost fighting for territory that was of NO VALUE to the goals of America or Afghanistan. The same stupidity happened in Vietnam, where the US military had the infantry take hills and valleys, lose many soldiers only to pack up & abandon the area after the battle.
This one is better suited to someone who's served in the military.
This autobio was written by a Ltn. Colonel, the commander of all aviation in the Kandahar & Komesh valleys in southern Afghanistan; directly across the border from Pakistan. I've read other books that have focused on specific battles that are included in this book. Blackmon's book is about his one year tour of duty in Afghanistan (his 3rd or 4th tour), it's a VERY detailed account of how he trains pilots, infantrymen, how he works with intelligence officer (a woman).
Throughout the book he reminisces about his childhood growing up in the mountains of Northern Georgia; where he learned to hunt & survival skills. His childhood story is woven throughout the book whenever there's a parallel between his life and the soldier that he's writing about.
Blackmon, like many other officers that are good leaders whose books I've also read, is emotionally involved with ALL his men. Jimmy knows their names, their families, their wives are friends with his wife. When his men are wounded or killed, it's painful for him. He discusses how different soldiers deal with grief (over the loss of a brother in arms) differently and that it's impossible to predict how that man will deal with grief by knowing him.
The reason this book gets 3* and not more because there's far TOO MUCH detail about the names of every soldier, the rank of every soldier that he encounters throughout his tour.
I know Blackmon's intention was to not miss the contribution of every man by going through his and THEIR journals, so his story is accurate. The problem is, the ranks, titles, names take up so MUCH of the book, it doesn't leave space for him to develop the personalities because we never come to KNOW these people because there's at least a 100 of them throughout the book.
Blackmon needed a ghost writer & an EDITOR, to remove all these names & ranks, so he could focus on the personalities and make the book interesting because the characters are developed. Other than the intelligence officer, the only woman, with whom he works watching the battles remotely, we don't get to know others.
I've read books about the assault on COP Keating & other FOB (forward operating bases) that were overrun by terrorists... some of them are scary as hell to read. I've read two that were so intense that I had to take a break because my heart was pounding.
Blackmon's book is an OVERVIEW of these famous battles & his view is from the air because his POV is via his helicopter pilots (Apache, Blackhawk, Chinhook, Kiowa). His ability to SEE hundreds of well-armed, battle-hardened Taliban terrorists running down the mountain to overrun the FOB that were mostly BUILT AT THE BOTTOM of valleys surrounded by 12,000' mountains on all sides, is frightening. It's amazing how he's able to direct so many different aircraft into these battles, especially since a few of the helicopters are shot down or the men inside then mortally wounded.
This book is another indictment of Gen. Petreaus's STUPID policy of ordering US troops to establish FOB & COP bases in the MOST VULNERABLE places in the region of Afghanistan that was held by the Taliban; HOURS away from Baghram Air Force Base (increasing the risk of death of the wounded because the flight was so long).
Jimmy Blackmon's goal at the outset of his tour is to CLOSE all these death trap FOBs that are in regions of southern Afghanistan that was of NO strategic value to the US or the Afghan government; these regions are filled with tribes, some of who don't even know the government exists. These tribes live by ancient laws, as they have for centuries and nothing is going to change that.
The point of the book is that due to the stupidity & ego of some generals, hundreds of American (probably British too) lives were lost fighting for territory that was of NO VALUE to the goals of America or Afghanistan. The same stupidity happened in Vietnam, where the US military had the infantry take hills and valleys, lose many soldiers only to pack up & abandon the area after the battle.
This one is better suited to someone who's served in the military.
April 18, 2016
This book struck me on multiple levels. Part story of tactical combat action, part story of the human element of combat, and part story of leadership in the most formidable of environments – all told with a clarity and prose which make you feel as if you are part of the action. Many of the battles and heroes described in the book (Wanat, Bari Ali, Watapur, Ganjgal, Shuryak, Keating and Lowell) have been covered in depth from the ground view many times over, but Pale Horse gives us the perspective of the Army aviators who flew those missions. Included throughout is the telling of the harsh realities of the things soldiers/leaders say, think and do in the midst of a fight and in the hours, days and weeks which follow. COL Blackmon tells the story in such a way that you feel like you are in the cockpit with the pilots while simultaneously also in his head whether he is flying the mission or in his command post. Regardless if you have served in the military… if you have ever been on a team, or if you are a student of leadership, or if you have ever truly been responsible for others in what are many times life and death situations this book is for you. If you are an American this book is for you! This book brings home the reality that the names of the men and women fighting halfway around the world which scroll across the bottom of the screen during the nightly news are real people with real friends and families and on the days when it really matters they are doing incredibly brave things for each other and the nation they love. Simply stated, Pale Horse is a must read.
March 28, 2018
Great book about modern warfare. I went through a rut with 3 star books and this book brought me back into reading. I recommend this book for military aviators in order to understand tactics and warfare. So many battles of today’s warfare that will be lost in history, I am glad this book highlights modern history.
January 25, 2018
So many memories of that deployment. My greatest honor was to serve along those heroes. Death Rides.
November 20, 2024
The Battle of Wanat
Never heard of it? Read about it. There are also multiple Youtube videos about it. Most Americans have never heard of it. This book covers that and so much more. Air cavalry is an intricate part of the Army ground forces. Jimmy Blackmon commanded s combat aviation operation called Pale Horse in some of the worst terrain and tactically unsound areas in Afghanistan. The 101st Airborne has a storied past for decades and contain some of America's greatest, never-heard-of heroes in America's greatest engagements.
I am an Army veteran and still stand in awe of the bravery contained in this book. The sheer will to complete the mission and hold the ground ordered to be held is in the division's DNA. The gut-wrenching aspect of this book is the blood and sacrifice of young men, only to be told to leave it after years of fighting. Families changed forever, friends gone and the physical and mental anguish are shared by Blackmon; and, I feel, he is begging for them not to be swept into the dustbin of history, as "decisions" are made in Washington D.C. and then with a shrug of suited shoulders the kid in a forward observation post is forgotten after his body is flown back to family. For what?
Never heard of it? Read about it. There are also multiple Youtube videos about it. Most Americans have never heard of it. This book covers that and so much more. Air cavalry is an intricate part of the Army ground forces. Jimmy Blackmon commanded s combat aviation operation called Pale Horse in some of the worst terrain and tactically unsound areas in Afghanistan. The 101st Airborne has a storied past for decades and contain some of America's greatest, never-heard-of heroes in America's greatest engagements.
I am an Army veteran and still stand in awe of the bravery contained in this book. The sheer will to complete the mission and hold the ground ordered to be held is in the division's DNA. The gut-wrenching aspect of this book is the blood and sacrifice of young men, only to be told to leave it after years of fighting. Families changed forever, friends gone and the physical and mental anguish are shared by Blackmon; and, I feel, he is begging for them not to be swept into the dustbin of history, as "decisions" are made in Washington D.C. and then with a shrug of suited shoulders the kid in a forward observation post is forgotten after his body is flown back to family. For what?
March 24, 2018
Absolutely fascinating view of military conflict through the narrative of a commanding officer in a 101st airborne aviation task force. During his time in Afghanistan Jimmy Blackmon led men and machines during a difficult time in the Afghan war. Many books of this war tell of boots on the ground. Many do so very well but until now not many have done so from the cockpits of Apache’s, Kiowa’s, Blackhawks, and Chinooks. Without these helicopters and the men & women that pilot them many more of our grounds troops might not have come home. To say that our war fighters owe a debt of graditute to the helicopters, jets, surveillance craft, & artillery men is made obvious by books like this and men like Jimmy Blackmon. If your interested in modern military like I am, I suggest you read this book.
February 1, 2018
This was an excellent view of army aviation. A story well told, and fits in really neatly with Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor. The final section of Pale Horse describes the aviation crew's views of what was happening during the events of Red Platoon.
June 14, 2018
Captivating story in depth following a deployment with our very own 159 CAB stationed out of Ft. Campbell, KY. Well written for any audience to understand and follow along. It’s authentic, honest and eye opening. The stories of our heroes are honoring, exciting, heartbreaking and hopeful. A could not put down book. Highly recommend.
July 11, 2020
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I made it about 3/4 of the way through before I had to stop. There were too many names, acronyms, and technical terms for me to be able to follow what was going on. There were definitely interesting parts, and if I were more versed in military terms I think I would’ve found this much more engaging.
March 24, 2018
Loved it and after reading several of the books on battles during OEF this filled in a lot of details for me and gave a great perspective from a Air-CAV point of view! 101st AA has amazing soliders!
September 7, 2018
A bunch of stories from the Afghan War as told from the perspective of 101st airborne helicopter support task force. True American heroes putting their lives on the line (and giving their lives) in support of Freedom and the country we love.
...and killin’ some terrorists. Hells yeah.
...and killin’ some terrorists. Hells yeah.
November 17, 2021
Pale Horse is great read about our heroic men and women in the service. This book had so much detail put in to it and it truly makes you appreciate the sacrifices our Military members make to protect our freedoms each and every day. Great read!
October 26, 2017
Very good book about a number of courageous heros!
July 9, 2018
Super technical book that I did not finish. Very jargon-y. Did not seem to be a "light read" at all.
September 12, 2018
jimmy takes you on an awe-inspiring, epic journey. def recommended to anyone interested in the afghan theater. hard to put down once you get sucked in!
December 11, 2022
Listened to this book! Very insightful and interesting facts!
June 7, 2025
This book discusses Task Force Pale Horse and their support for ground forces during the attack on COP Keating. If you have not read Red Platoon, you should. This book is another point of view of this event from those in the air. I thought this book was really interesting and moving, as I knew what had happened at COP Keating prior to reading this.
September 26, 2016
Super book
Read it in two days, what an incredible look into he lives of the airmen fighting for our freedom. Their successes, their failures, the raw emotions and the impact of their actions in shaping the war in Afghanistan. Great read.
Read it in two days, what an incredible look into he lives of the airmen fighting for our freedom. Their successes, their failures, the raw emotions and the impact of their actions in shaping the war in Afghanistan. Great read.
June 12, 2016
Great to see an air cavalry squadron commander telling his and his unit's GWOT story. It's rare to read much about Iraq or Afghanistan from either the battalion-level perspective or the aviation perspective, and Colonel Blackmon does both. His unit, TF Pale Horse, built around 7-17 Cavalry, provided the Kiowa, Apache, Black Hawk, and Chinook support to some key events in Kunar/Nuristan in 2009: the overrun of OP Bari Alai, Operation Dragon Fire into Barg-e Matal, battle of COP Keating, major engagements in the Korengal and Watapur valleys, pullout from Gowardesh where a Chinook was downed, and so on.
Colonel Blackmon went to impressive lengths to make this book more than a memoir, interviewing many former members not only of his own aviation task force but of the infantry and cavalry units they supported on the ground in order to paint a fuller picture of events that at the time he only understood through a narrow lens. There are factual errors here and there, typically having to do with the ground units and the history of Kunar/Nuristan, but they are much fewer and more minor than the ones infantry-focused books and authors probably often make about aviators.
As the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior goes the way of the Sea Cow, this book is all the important for serving as a record of the important and qualitatively different type of close support that Kiowa crews provided infantry on the ground in Afghanistan (where the Army for years was wrongly reluctant to deploy the Kiowa at all) from Apaches and other platforms that work from greater standoff range. OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, RIP!
Colonel Blackmon went to impressive lengths to make this book more than a memoir, interviewing many former members not only of his own aviation task force but of the infantry and cavalry units they supported on the ground in order to paint a fuller picture of events that at the time he only understood through a narrow lens. There are factual errors here and there, typically having to do with the ground units and the history of Kunar/Nuristan, but they are much fewer and more minor than the ones infantry-focused books and authors probably often make about aviators.
As the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior goes the way of the Sea Cow, this book is all the important for serving as a record of the important and qualitatively different type of close support that Kiowa crews provided infantry on the ground in Afghanistan (where the Army for years was wrongly reluctant to deploy the Kiowa at all) from Apaches and other platforms that work from greater standoff range. OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, RIP!
April 20, 2016
My brother who served with the DOJ in both Iraq and Afghanistan highly recommended this book. I love a good memoir, so bought it immediately. This book did not disappoint. The author has a way of telling the story with both technical descriptions and humanity. I was in awe at the strategic mentality and the vast organization it takes. But also touched by the emotional experience of what war means to soldiers and their families. I'm so glad I read this book, I will be thinking about this for a long time.
May 1, 2016
Wow! What a great read! This was an excellent book about bravery--pilots...soldiers....those in the 101st Air Assault. This book was written by the man who commanded the 101st in Afghanistan. Medals of Honor were won! These soldiers should be honored for the heroism that they showed as they risked their lives over and over to bring back our wounded and dead. What an emotional story. Great explanations...I felt like I was there as a first-hand witness! I highly recommend this book!
July 19, 2016
I don't usually read these kind of war memoirs, but a co-worker of mine was reading it and mentioned her sister-in-law was in the book. So I may be rounding up a bit because I thought that was a cool connection.
In any case, this was an easy to read book of war stories. Very enjoyable read about a year in the life of the air cavalry. I didn't always follow exactly where they were fighting in Afghanistan, but this wasn't a book about the overall strategy of the war. Really amazing what these helicopter crews go through.
In any case, this was an easy to read book of war stories. Very enjoyable read about a year in the life of the air cavalry. I didn't always follow exactly where they were fighting in Afghanistan, but this wasn't a book about the overall strategy of the war. Really amazing what these helicopter crews go through.
March 20, 2016
Won this on goodreads. You know, these are true stories right from the point of conflict. The average person has no idea what is involved in these endeavors. The stress, strain, and fatigue on these men and women are close to unbearable, but the job gets done. I know volumes of books describing theses incidents could be written and there are untold heros we will never hear about. All we can do is hope and pray that someday this world will be at peace.
March 18, 2016
This is about the 101st Airborne Division deployed to Afghanistan for a year. They put their lives on the line daily, protecting outposts, flying in supplies, flying out wounded. Their lives and the lives of those they were protecting depended on working together like a well-oiled machine. I have much more knowledge and appreciation for the men and women that protect us than ever before. I didn't want to put the book down until the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2016
Pale Horse is a great memoir by Jimmy Blackmon. It accurately captures the stress and heavy decisions required of a field commander during war. I appreciated a book written from the aerial perspective rather than a boots-on-the-ground narrative driven by high-intensity firefights. The story from the air doesn't give the same blood-pounding adrenaline rush that books like House To House give, but it does provide a unique perspective often missing from the American conflict narratives.
February 29, 2016
This is a Goodreads win review. This is an excellent book about hunting terrorists and commanding heroes within the 101st Airborne Division during combat in the Afghan war. This book tells real life stories of the battles of the brave Apache helicopters pilots and also recounts their bravery which won ten medals of honor.
June 13, 2016
Reading as a military spouse this book is very enlightening. It articulates engagements many service members experience, but are unable to share. Beyond the missions readers are able to understand the emotional toil these individuals experienced. Many pages brought tears but overall a sense of pride for our soldiers and their unwavering dedication to duty as expressed by the authors' account.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews