EP 98 * Rob Harrison * Medal of Honor events MSgt John Chapman & Roberts Ridge: The AC-130 Crewman Who Was There - Part 1

What really happened during John Chapman's final battle at Roberts Ridge? For the first time on Targeted Podcast, retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant **Rob Harrison** shares his firsthand account from aboard an AC-130H Spectre gunship during one of the most intense battles in U.S. Special Operations history. On March 4, 2002, Air Force Combat Controller **John Chapman** and a team of Navy SEALs became involved in a desperate battle on a frozen Afghan mountaintop during Operation Anaconda. While the fight unfolded on the ground, Rob Harrison and his crew aboard **GRIM 32** watched from above, coordinated communications, and faced extraordinary decisions under pressure. In this exclusive conversation with retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Joshua "Atlas" Aultman, Harrison describes what he witnessed, what the crew knew at the time, and why some decisions surrounding the Battle of Roberts Ridge remain controversial. **In this episode:** - What the AC-130 crew witnessed during John Chapman's final mission - The emergency Mayday call that changed everything - Navy SEALs, Combat Controllers, and the Battle of Takur Ghar - Why the landing zone decision mattered - How a deadly friendly-fire incident affected the following night's mission - Why communication failures can become life-or-death situations - What military leadership looks like when everything goes wrong - The difference between firsthand experience and the stories told afterward This isn't just a military history interview. It's a conversation about **courage, accountability, brotherhood, leadership, and the cost of decisions made under fire.** Whether you're interested in Navy SEALs, Air Force Special Operations, military history, combat leadership, or the mindset required to perform under extreme pressure, this episode offers a rare perspective from someone who was there. **Want the full extended interview?** This public episode is an edited version of a longer conversation. Contact the Targeted Podcast team at [email protected] to ask about access. Chapters: 1 Rob Harrison: The AC-130 Gunship Witness 2 The Mayday Call That Changed the Mission 3 John Chapman and the Navy SEAL Team 4 What Happened to Neil Roberts? 5 The AC-130 View of Roberts Ridge 6 The Landing Zone Decision 7 John Chapman's Advance Under Fire 8 Why the Gunship Couldn't Immediately Engage 9 The Friendly-Fire Tragedy Before Roberts Ridge 10 How the Rules of Engagement Changed 11 Who Made the Critical Decisions? 12 The Full Roberts Ridge Interview **ABOUT TARGETED PODCAST** Hosted by retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, TEDx speaker, and international bestselling author Joshua "Atlas" Aultman, Targeted Podcast explores leadership, resilience, mental toughness, discipline, and the experiences that forge stronger men. Subscribe for real conversations with combat veterans, elite performers, athletes, and leaders who understand what it takes to perform when it matters most. #JohnChapman #RobertsRidge #NavySEALs #AC130 #TargetedPodcast