Haunted by Heroes - Exclusive interview with NYT bestselling author Eric Blehm on new finding in Extorsion 17 events and more

What really happened around Extortion 17—and what can still be learned from the deadliest loss of American Special Operations forces in U.S. history? In Part 2 of this extraordinary Targeted Podcast interview, Atlas Aultman sits down with New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Eric Blehm to go deep inside his new book, Haunted by Heroes. Blehm is the bestselling author of Fearless, the story of Navy SEAL Adam Brown. While researching that book, he interviewed members of Brown's elite SEAL team. Seven of the men Blehm spoke with would later be killed in the Extortion 17 helicopter shootdown in Afghanistan. Years later, Blehm returned to those interviews, recordings, documents, memories, and sources. What emerged became Haunted by Heroes. In this conversation, Blehm discusses Extortion 17, Adam Brown, DEVGRU, Gold Squadron, the Rangers operating in the Tangi Valley, mission planning, the CH-47 Chinook, the questions that remained after the official investigation, and information he says changed his own understanding of the mission. Atlas brings a unique perspective to the discussion as a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who served in Afghanistan and worked in the White House during this era. This isn't a conspiracy-theory discussion. It's a conversation about history, brotherhood, sacrifice, leadership, mission planning, institutional learning, and remembering the Americans behind the names. Eric also tells the emotional story of learning that the SEALs he had recently interviewed had been killed. After being told something had happened to the men downrange, he asked whether one of them had died. The answer: "No. All of them did." The conversation also explores: • Why the Extortion 17 mission remains so heavily discussed 15 years later • What Eric Blehm learned that he says he had never previously seen reported • Why the Rangers were already operating in a dangerous part of Afghanistan • Questions surrounding the mission planning and landing zone • Why the SEALs were aboard the same aircraft • The difference between documented facts and Extortion 17 conspiracy theories • The personalities behind the operators—not simply the mythology • Adam Brown and the story behind Fearless • Brian Bill, Kevin Houston, John "Fozy" Faas, Heath Robinson, Chris Campbell and other fallen warriors • How elite Special Operations teams operated after years of combat • The enormous loss of experience and mentorship caused by Extortion 17 • Why Blehm waited years to return to this story • Jack Carr and the origins of The Terminal List • Blehm's concerns about AI rewriting history • Why primary sources and serious long-form research still matter • The responsibility authors carry when writing about fallen service members • Why the families of fallen warriors still want their names spoken Haunted by Heroes is scheduled for release December 1. If you read the book and learn the story of one of these men, Eric has a simple challenge: remember his name—and let his family know he hasn't been forgotten. Subscribe to Targeted Podcast for long-form conversations with military leaders, Special Operations veterans, bestselling authors, fighters, champions, and people who have lived the lessons most of us only read about. *SUBSCRIBE:* More of the Eric Blehm interview is on the way. #EricBlehm #HauntedByHeroes #Fearless #AdamBrown #NavySEALs #SEALTeamSix #SpecialOperations #MilitaryBooks #MilitaryHistory #TargetedPodcast LINKS: https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/haunted-by-heroes IG: ericblehmofficial SPECIAL OFFERS: getFIGHTscrub.com– 10% off with code FIGHTSCRUBATLAS BUCKEDup.com Supplements: 20% off with code ATLAS25 GUEST APPLICATIONS: win@leaders-kit.com As host Atlas Aultman says "Aim for excellence. Stay on target."