The Panjwai Podcast
The Panjwai Podcast is an interview-based podcast series documenting the experiences of combat veterans in the Panjwai District of Kandahar, Afghanistan. The series seeks to explore a human, emotional, and accurate retelling of veterans’ experiences. Guests range from enlisted privates, to senior leaders, helicopter pilots, special operators, support personnel, engineers, EOD, medics and other forces that supported or witnessed combat in the Panjwai District. Military history buffs will relish in the detailed descriptions of terrain and the history of the area, and fans of Serial and other documentary style podcasts will appreciate the attention to detail and highlighting of the human aspect of warfare on young soldiers. The Panjwai Podcast is the story of the grunts fight in a true Infantry battlefield. Episodes available weekly.
Listen on:
Episodes
Thursday Jun 10, 2021
Thursday Jun 10, 2021
Season 2 continues with Part 2 of our Three part interview with James Alexander and Brandon Chong, who served under SSG Robert Bales at VSP Belambai in 2012. Episode 2 picks up where Episode 1 left off, with the soldiers of Bales' squad waking up in the early hours of March 11th to mass confusion. James and Brandon walk us through the events of that day, the hours and days to come, and the immediate aftermath of the Panjwai Massacre.
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The views expressed by guests do not reflect the views and opinions of The Panjwai Podcast
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Also Available on:
Apple: https://buff.ly/3gTXet9
Spotify: https://buff.ly/2Kx6cjR
Google: https://buff.ly/3b29R4z
Podbean: https://buff.ly/2WoN0aF
iHeartRadio: https://buff.ly/3nc5Wo1
Check out the video version of the podcast at : https://www.youtube.com/thepanjwaipodcast
For maps, photos and more information about Panjwai go to : https://www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/about-panjwai
You can donate and support the podcast on Patreon for as little as $3.00 a month. visit www.patreon.com/thepanjwaipodcast to learn more.
Direct donations can also be sent via venmo @thepanjwaipodcast
Be sure to like, follow, and/or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Youtube, TuneIn, Amazon Music and many more. visit www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/listen for more information.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Instagram: @thepanjwaipodcast
Twitter: @panjwaipodcast
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Sunday Jun 06, 2021
Sunday Jun 06, 2021
We're back! Season 2 Returns with Part 1 of a 3 part interview with former Infantrymen James Alexander and Brandon Chong, as they give us an unprecedented first hand account of the events leading up to and after the Panjwai Massacre in 2012. James and Brandon served under SSG Robert Bales at VSP Belambai, just west of FOB Zangabad in the Horn of Panjwai, supporting a Special Forces mission. James and Brandon talk to us about their time serving under Bales prior to the events of March 11th, including their time in Fort Lewis, WA and the months and weeks leading up to the event. James and Brandon have never spoken publicly about their experience, and they have some shocking insights. Be sure to tune in for more information.
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The views expressed by guests do not reflect the views and opinions of The Panjwai Podcast
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Also Available on:
Apple: https://buff.ly/3gTXet9
Spotify: https://buff.ly/2Kx6cjR
Google: https://buff.ly/3b29R4z
Podbean: https://buff.ly/2WoN0aF
iHeartRadio: https://buff.ly/3nc5Wo1
Check out the video version of the podcast at : https://www.youtube.com/thepanjwaipodcast
For maps, photos and more information about Panjwai go to : https://www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/about-panjwai
You can donate and support the podcast on Patreon for as little as $3.00 a month. visit www.patreon.com/thepanjwaipodcast to learn more.
Direct donations can also be sent via venmo @thepanjwaipodcast
Be sure to like, follow, and/or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Youtube, TuneIn, Amazon Music and many more. visit www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/listen for more information.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Instagram: @thepanjwaipodcast
Twitter: @panjwaipodcast
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Thursday Apr 15, 2021
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
On this episode, hosts Luke and Curtis reflect on the experiences of making Season 1 of the podcast, as well as discuss the current events in Panjwai and Kandahar. We talk about our aspirations for Season 2, and generally converse on the topics of the Taliban, Peace in Panjwai, our military service and what we've come to appreciate most about this project. Stay tuned, because Season 2 premieres on May 17th, 2021!
Also Available on:
Apple: https://buff.ly/3gTXet9
Spotify: https://buff.ly/2Kx6cjR
Google: https://buff.ly/3b29R4z
Podbean: https://buff.ly/2WoN0aF
iHeartRadio: https://buff.ly/3nc5Wo1
Check out the video version of the podcast at : https://www.youtube.com/thepanjwaipodcast
For maps, photos and more information about Panjwai go to : https://www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/about-panjwai
You can donate and support the podcast on the Podbean patron for as little as $1.00 a month. For more information on how to support the podcast directly go to : https://patron.podbean.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Direct donations can also be sent via venmo @thepanjwaipodcast
Be sure to like, follow, and/or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Youtube, TuneIn, Amazon Music and many more. visit www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/listen for more information.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Instagram: @thepanjwaipodcast
Twitter: @panjwaipodcast
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Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
On this week's episode we speak to Dustin Smothers. Dustin was an infantryman with B/1-64 and served in 2nd Squad, 1st Platoon under SSG Nincehelser. Dustin talks to us about his experiences and the difficulties he faced, as well as perseverance. It was a privilege to have Dustin on as our final Season 1 guest .
Check out the video version of the podcast at : https://www.youtube.com/thepanjwaipodcast
For maps, photos and more information about Panjwai go to : https://www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/about-panjwai
You can donate and support the podcast on the Podbean patron for as little as $1.00 a month. For more information on how to support the podcast directly go to : https://patron.podbean.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Direct donations can also be sent via venmo @thepanjwaipodcast
Be sure to like, follow, and/or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Youtube, TuneIn, Amazon Music and many more. visit www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/listen for more information.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Instagram: @thepanjwaipodcast
Twitter: @panjwaipodcast
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Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
This week we sit down with Eric Boyce, a former 13F Forward Observer, or Fister, who spent his time as the Radio Telephone Operator for 1st Platoon, B Company, 1-64 at COP Sperwan Ghar in 2012. Eric talks to us about the difficulty in not getting to do his actual job (Fister vs RTO), the challenges of mental fatigue, and the day he was shot on a patrol in Skecha.
Check out the video version of the podcast at : https://www.youtube.com/thepanjwaipodcast
For maps, photos and more information about Panjwai go to : https://www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/about-panjwai
You can donate and support the podcast on the Podbean patron for as little as $1.00 a month. For more information on how to support the podcast directly go to : https://patron.podbean.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Direct donations can also be sent via venmo @thepanjwaipodcast
Be sure to like, follow, and/or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Youtube, TuneIn, Amazon Music and many more. visit www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/listen for more information.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Instagram: @thepanjwaipodcast
Twitter: @panjwaipodcast
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Friday Mar 26, 2021
Friday Mar 26, 2021
This week we finish our conversation with SGT(R) Tom Evans by talking about two iconic missions from the 2012 Deployment. We talk in length about "Low Crawl Day" which serves as an all inclusive anecdote for combat in Panjwai in 2012. We then talk about the final major mission of the deployment, Operation Ghalra Sook, or "Throat Chop", where Tom's time in Afghanistan came to a close.
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Check out the video version of the podcast at : https://www.youtube.com/thepanjwaipodcast
For maps, photos and more information about Panjwai go to : https://www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/about-panjwai
You can donate and support the podcast on the Podbean patron for as little as $1.00 a month. For more information on how to support the podcast directly go to : https://patron.podbean.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Direct donations can also be sent via venmo @thepanjwaipodcast
Be sure to like, follow, and/or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Youtube, TuneIn, Amazon Music and many more. visit www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/listen for more information.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Instagram: @thepanjwaipodcast
Twitter: @panjwaipodcast
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Thursday Mar 18, 2021
Thursday Mar 18, 2021
This week we share Part 1 of a 2 part interview with SGT(R) Thomas Evans. Tom was a team leader, and briefly a squad leader for 1st Platoon, B Company 1-64th Armor at COP Sperwan Ghar in Panjwai, Afghanistan in 2012. Tom showed up as attrition was gutting our ranks, and brought fresh eyes and perspectives to a platoon that was beginning to struggle. In this episode, Tom talks to us about his experiences before Sperwan Ghar, how he earned his Combat Infantryman Badge in Iraq, and how he “actually” earned his CIB in Panjwai. Tom talks to us about the realities of combat, the difficulties of filling in to an experienced platoon three months into a deployment, and the excitement of using weaponry he had not been able to use before.
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Also Available on:
Apple: https://buff.ly/3gTXet9
Spotify: https://buff.ly/2Kx6cjR
Google: https://buff.ly/3b29R4z
Podbean: https://buff.ly/2WoN0aF
iHeartRadio: https://buff.ly/3nc5Wo1
Check out the video version of the podcast at : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOcr1t6H38v9PDf8OoAbrMw
For maps, photos and more information about Panjwai go to : https://www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/about-panjwai
You can donate and support the podcast on the Podbean patron for as little as $1.00 a month. For more information on how to support the podcast directly go to : https://patron.podbean.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Direct donations can also be sent via venmo @thepanjwaipodcast
Be sure to like, follow, and/or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Youtube, TuneIn, Amazon Music and many more. visit www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/listen for more information.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Instagram: @thepanjwaipodcast
Twitter: @panjwaipodcast
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Thursday Mar 11, 2021
Thursday Mar 11, 2021
This week we sit down with U.S. Army retired Sergeant Kevin Jaye. Kevin served in 3rd Platoon, B Company 1-64 at COP Sperwan Ghar in Panjwai, Afghanistan in 2012. Kevin shares his experiences before and during the deployment, including the day he stepped on a pressure plate IED and lost his leg. More importantly, Kevin talks to us about his battle on Capitol Hill, lobbying for the inclusion of In-Vitro Fertilization procedures in funding for the Department of Veteran Affairs. It was unique to talk with Kevin and realize how much of an impact his injuries had on his life, and how hard he fought to have the family he loves.
Check out the video version of the podcast at : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOcr1t6H38v9PDf8OoAbrMw
For maps, photos and more information about Panjwai go to : https://www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/about-panjwai
You can donate and support the podcast on the Podbean patron for as little as $1.00 a month. For more information on how to support the podcast directly go to : https://patron.podbean.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Direct donations can also be sent via venmo @thepanjwaipodcast
Be sure to like, follow, and/or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Youtube, TuneIn, Amazon Music and many more. visit www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/listen for more information.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Instagram: @thepanjwaipodcast
Twitter: @panjwaipodcast
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Thursday Mar 04, 2021
Thursday Mar 04, 2021
This week our guest is CW3 Avery Johnston, currently an AH-64 Apache Helicopter Pilot, and formerly an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Pilot. Avery, who served as an OH-58D pilot in 2012, talks about his experiences supporting the ground force in Panjwai and surrounding areas, how it matured him as an officer and an aviator, and how it shaped his future as an Army Aviator. Avery's insight into the war in Afghanistan in 2012, flying out of Kandahar airfield, is an enlightening window into the scale of the fight in 2012.
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Check out the video version of the podcast at : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOcr1t6H38v9PDf8OoAbrMw
For maps, photos and more information about Panjwai go to : https://www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/about-panjwai
You can donate and support the podcast on the Podbean patron for as little as $1.00 a month. For more information on how to support the podcast directly go to : https://patron.podbean.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Direct donations can also be sent via venmo @thepanjwaipodcast
Be sure to like, follow, and/or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Youtube, TuneIn, Amazon Music and many more. visit www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/listen for more information.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Instagram: @thepanjwaipodcast
Twitter: @panjwaipodcast
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Thursday Feb 25, 2021
Thursday Feb 25, 2021
This week we finish our conversation with our former Company Commander, U.S. Army LTC Brian Kitching. LTC Kitching served as the Company Commander of Bayonet Company, 1-64 Armor from 2011 to 2013. Kitching commanded the Bayonets as they served at COP Sperwan Ghar in Panjwai, Afghanistan during combat operations in 2012. LTC Kitching speaks about the uncommon valor that is surprisingly common in men in combat, the effect IED's had on his ability to patrol and accomplish the mission, and some of the memories that stick with him from that deployment.
**The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests only and do not represent the views or policy of the US Army, Department of Defense, or United States Government**
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Check out the video version of the podcast at : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOcr1t6H38v9PDf8OoAbrMw
For maps, photos and more information about Panjwai go to : https://www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/about-panjwai
You can donate and support the podcast on the Podbean patron for as little as $1.00 a month. For more information on how to support the podcast directly go to : https://patron.podbean.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Direct donations can also be sent via venmo @thepanjwaipodcast
Be sure to like, follow, and/or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Youtube, TuneIn, Amazon Music and many more. visit www.thepanjwaipodcast.com/listen for more information.
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepanjwaipodcast
Instagram: @thepanjwaipodcast
Twitter: @panjwaipodcast
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