Chris White - The truth about Blackwater in Najaf Iraq - The Bridge #14

Join Travis Haley with special guest, Chris White, as they reflect on the events that took place 20 years ago in Al-Najaf, Iraq.
April 4th, 2024 will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Battle of Al-Najaf, Iraq. It was on that day in 2004 that a small team of coalition forces and Blackwater Contractors faced off against the overwhelming force of the Mahdi Army. In spite of the many obstacles stacked against them, acts of courage, duty, and perseverance enabled the defending coalition and Blackwater Contractors to hold off the Mahdi Army while Blackwater Air Teams provided critical sustainment equipment and life saving evacuation efforts. The Battle of Al-Najaf represents one of the largest insurgent attacks during the Iraq War, we stand together on 4/4 in remembrance of the brave men who selflessly risked everything to save their brothers.
Bridging gaps within our industry one conversation at a time. The Bridge is not a show about firearms, training, or the military as some might expect. It’s about people; connecting with others, sharing experiences, exchanging perspectives, and healing together through sometimes vulnerable conversations about difficult topics. We hope to help and heal others as we do so for ourselves by airing these conversations for all to hear. Thanks for listening! We hope you enjoy the show.
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[@MichaelLubrano]

I was with Whiteboy in Najaf. He was a consummate professional and led the team, and I am eternally grateful for him and the broader team protecting us. I've been trying to connect with Whiteboy for a few years now. Happy Seigeaversary WB. (Roland)

[@choossuck7653]

Do you have any remorse? My friend was killed over there. For nothing

[@Iamjoeberg]

@@choossuck7653 No matter what my brother, he fought for his brothers beside him.... He did not die for nothing, no matter the reason for why he was there. For all that mattered was his brothers. Remember that. I am sorry man, stay strong.

[@lithium1770]

​@@choossuck7653 remorse? dude when someone shoots at you you return fire. I am sorry for your loss.

[@choossuck7653]

@@lithium1770 they smoked kids bro. Unarmed kids. Not everyone did it but it happened and more than a few times. We shouldn't have even been there and the war criminals responsible for us being there hopefully will be held accountable. I lost friends ober there 🔥🔥💀

[@ethanhart5237]

​@@choossuck7653 i feel for you and can tell it left a chip on your shoulder. Not one man was sent to Iraq at gun point. These brave men stepped forward and said send me. The government lied to them, lied to us, they just lied. Once you get there you can't just get on a plane and go home and when some people are trying to kill you because they want you to leave you either die and watch friends die or fight back. Had you been there and saw your friend get shot you would have returned fire. If I was your friend the last thing I would want you to do is shame my courage and my sacrifice by acting like it meant nothing to you. Your friend made a choice and it wasn't an easy one he didn't know the truth when he left and neither did anyone else. It's easy to Monday morning quarterback the war but it isn't right

[@tankguy1981]

Got to Najaf in December of 04, with the Army, we took over from the Marine Raiders. Those Marines were savages! The militia definitely learned the hard way.

[@bradleygonzalez1160]

We chewed some of the same dirt together. Was with 1/4 and the marsoc dudes were actually Detachment One. Prequel to MSOB. One of my deployments overseas was to Najaf. Crazy crazy cemetery stuff. Thank the Lord for His mercy. Be safe

[@GmarineIraqVet]

Bro hell yes, fucking get some. I deployed in 04. Semper Fi

[@charlesmullins3238]

11 rows of medals…carried a model 37….my type a guy..lifelong love for nam vets and listen to em all many many hrs and never gets old…chuck Norris and sly sent me into wantin to know about these guys that feared nothing and loved there buddies so much….

[@chrissnatchko7795]

….a model 37 like a deer slayer riot model…..

[@theshittybowman]

Chris White trained my ships VBSS in 2004, awesome dude!

[@kevos823]

Awesome to have the bridge back!

[@robertm8401]

20 years already, dang time flies.

[@AbruptandOffensive]

The original Najaf rooftop video was the very first combat video I ever saw as a kid when I downloaded it off Limewire. It’s the video that showed me the reality of the shit and got me behind a rifle.

[@GeckoDays]

Bro you know that ain’t a good website right?

[@Harrkin]

​@@GeckoDays You asking that questions just highlight how you still don't understand lol. Everyone know knew limewire was bad; didn't stop us though, lmao

[@jameskirk3]

​@GeckoDays the website was just p2p sharing of files back in the day. The content was put up by users. You have to check anything you download. Sandbox it if you have to. Any p2p sharing is gonna be sketchy. Even if you pay for it. Back in the day Limewire is where I got most my legit stuff. Mine was running 24/7 for months at a time and I never made a penny off it, but I didn't pay for TV ever again either.

[@jameskirk3]

Limewire. Man if I knew then what I know now lol.

[@_jriggfit_]

Good ol limewire!

[@michaelstjohn]

I ended up reading the conversation as I could barely hear it... turn it up! Still, two legends with great stories and wisdom to share!

[@micheal8414]

Thinker's before shooter's , self reflection and remembrance are keys to being a thinker.

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

So much of your conversation takes me back to my Marine Coro service in a completely different way. I was not a field operator. I was a Unit Diary Clerk/Admin/ Poge. Im boot camp one of my drill instructors was Staff Sergeant Malinic. He was from 2nd Force Reconnaissance but had done tbings within Special Services to had been deployed with SEALs, Delta, Rangers, Green Barets, TACPs, Vietnam, Philippines, Beruit, Panama, War on Drugs Columbia, Syria, Afghanistan, Thailand, and such over the years. He had to have gotten busted a couple of times in his career cause a SSgt. should be higher rank having joined in 1965. He was a bit older than my dad, who did two tours in Vietnam with Rangers. SStg Malinic never let us wast time especially when 3 weeks into boot camp Iraq invaded Kuwait and he knew we were going to war. As his boys he was going to make sure we were trained and would come back. Waiting for chow? Well we would have three to six people he picked off to the side on the grass between buildings fighting hand to hand, training fake knives, bayonets on rifles, training fake hand guns etc.... Always training. I was attached to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance but stayed at Lejeune assigned as the one man administration for the Short, Sick, Lame, Lazy instread of deployed to Desert Storm. To listen to your to you two the office politics, back stabbing and rank/award fanagaling from certain people was just as vicious as it was in the office.

[@doodahman2995]

Semper Fi Brother

[@bradleygonzalez1160]

Semper Fi

[@Kalashsmith47]

Definitely a good one. Glad to see the show is back 🤙🏻

[@kathleendossett3819]

History is vital to living through combat. This old Vietnam guy is enjoying this truth! Having been drilled by NVA Easter 72,I was blessed to spend 13Yrs. With guys from WW I threw VN in the hospital learning I was not ALONE! Now that I'm alive ag ain I have 6 kids learn History and say about the service (W.B.) statement "there are worst things to do w/your life."

[@bradpittman5075]

Thank you Travis and HSP team. Godspeed.

[@samsgreen1]

Thank you for doing this, I was in Uzbekistan on Nov 5 2001. Hard to believe it's been that long. Cheers gentlemen

[@2K9s]

The final few minutes of advice are profoundly important.

[@BretHiggins]

Thank you for changing my opinion on contractors. I passed on two jobs in the early 00's - one easy pass in the DRC and the other for Iraq in 04. The stigma that was attached back then in the UK was so heavy that it in the end I let it go. No regrets because I wouldn't be where I am now, but kudos to you. Subscribed and looking forward to learning more.

[@thaddeuscrane8235]

Travis worked that bushmaster for the win! Regardless of the 260 yard phantom lure .. you stacked em. Fantastic interview ! Chris White much respect. I think I drank a beet next to that cat at the Ready Room bar in 1989 lol

[@garagarz]

So stoked to see a new episode out, keep them coming and we’ll keep supporting!

[@Gothic1Actual]

Thanks for sharing. Awesome edition of The Bridge!

[@michaelcook3427]

We need soldiers. Big problems recruiting and big wars coming clearly. Tell the stories. Inspiring men to b men is more important than ever. At least you won't b misleading the kids. Some bodies gotta do the job. It should b a mandatory thing, but it's not.

[@secureintelligence6215]

White Boy is even known by us South Africans that we're in Iraq! He is the Lord of routes!

[@MossBrothersOutdoors]

TIA

[@HitchElcapri]

A very good episode, thank you very much Travis.

[@flipside21]

@The Bridge - you ever hear from Ben Thomas? Would love to see him on The Bridge - hear his whole arc. Darkness and all.

[@americafirst3738]

Great interview but TURN THE AUDIO UP!! Thank you for your service and understanding WE THE PEOPLE

[@codyi7102]

Great episode and insight into that day. Thank both you guys for all you both have done for this country. I know he has had his controversies but is there any chance to get mookie out and on the show to talk about his and travis' experience during najaf? Love mookie, wish he would have never dropped off the map

[@Papote44]

WhiteBoy needs to write a book, and a well done accurate 4hr. movie. I will watch. Amazing guy alot of knowledge. Thank you WhiteBoy. 🙏

[@Godfryness]

Great podcast

[@johnsawyer3390]

Y’all need to make a movie about this to graphically tell the story.

[@GruntProof]

Good stuff gents

[@Twister167]

Love the podcast/youtube but audio on Apple Podcasts is super quiet and hard to hear for some constructive criticism haha

[@jeremytaylor4576]

20 yrs ago! Were you 1st force? That was my about my time over with the 13th MEU-SOC

[@RobertBrown-yh3bt]

White boy was a solid dude. He was an instructor for an SOTG CQB school I went to at Pendleton

[@johnslaughter3554]

Great commentary, you made some good points. I get upset watching people make money off of what I considered a duty and obligation to my country. Thank you

[@joshmontgomery4040]

Good stuff

[@danroseveare3090]

Thanks for your service sirs. You're stories are an insight into history that hopefully does not get pushed to the side. Love you guys. Stay strong and safe everyone.

[@antoniocruz5596]

I met Chris in early ‘03. Great guy, professional and well respected.

[@adamwickwire329]

Where has Mookie been these days?? Haven't seen him since the Tactical Response Team Room.

[@whodatsaddle]

Holy crap, The Bridge posted a new vid after like two years?!?!

[@qbertatx]

Whatched this last week and came back to see if anybody knew where to watch the I believe Travis said French documentary that showed the Iraqi side of this battle. I may be wrong on the details but does anybody know what he's talking about and where to watch it?

[@robyoung209]

Great episode! Welcome to The Bridge Fam, Chris!

[@dannyotter7247]

Hey Travis, fascinating vid chap, being a limey I see things a bit differently but one thing that I do agree with is we need to document, you don’t have to be SF either, plenty of good guys in the regulars as well - but knowledge and skill is key. I think as we age it’s easier to want reflect but these informal ‘storytelling’ should I feel be part of training, and also life lessons - what integrity, discipline looks like and even small steps and acts can make all the difference.

[@GATOR_MCLUSKY]

by this time was tons of really good seasoned guys in regulars,

[@WinstonCorneilius]

Vince Lombardi definitely got that quote from Theodore Roosevelt 😂😂

[@eddyram4072]

I deployed the being of 05, and remember hearing the story's about Najaf and contracts hanging of bridge. Being in Fallujah back then was shitty, and uncanny.

[@crossfitpittsburgh1542]

Awesome episode! Thanks for putting out great content. Whiteboy, if you see this, give Rocky a call, Brother.

[@Coppersaguaro]

Is Hacksaw still with us? Would love to hear his story on a podcast. 🚁

[@islas357]

The man in the arena is one of Theodore Roosevelts most famous speeches.

[@realpropertymangement7640]

Lol... good story on the callsign. Mine was "slidebite." Let's just say I was prone to taking a high grip on a G19.

[@jeffdillon8816]

I’ve said a number of times that people sign up for god and country for our hometowns, family and friends but when things get real the fight is for the man on your left and your right, for the brothers.

[@DrPhilGoode]

I’ve heard that for 40 years.

[@danielmarshall4587]

WOW.......but also DAMN IT ALL, this will have to wait. BUT I WILL MAKE THE TIME to watch it. Many thanks gentlemen.

[@OodieMcGroovy]

Travis, you should try and get Hacksaw on the Bridge, I think a lot of people including myself would love that! Thanks for all the hard work you guys do!

[@user-vg8qu3os8n]

You live and you learn

[@zomb1370]

I was in Najaf 2004. Shit was wild

[@skate7destroy1]

When someone says they were a pretty good athlete as a kid, I typically roll my eyes. When the person saying that has a DEVGRU in their resumé, I immediately think "I don't doubt that one bit"...and I mean it.

[@PumpkinDefender]

I’d love to see Mookie come on the show. What a personality!

[@KraftyandKranky]

White boy see’s him and it’s lights out for Ben Thomas

[@MichaelPCarr10]

Stay up gangsta Still watch your Magpul dvds. Love to you and yours

[@2naturesownplace]

Anyone have a title name for the french Documentary?

[@whiteskyflyer]

Hey big shout out to your pilots, need to catch up with them. I was very fortunate to have had the chance to learn from a few as we go. Anyone heard from S.W. Initials? Pilot type.

[@XJF-zp1bz]

Please adjust the audio such that WB and Travis are "equal" to the ear. I listened on both Apple and YT, both are disjointed

[@MelordJenkins]

Definitely need a guy for timestamps. Great content here, step it up a notch.

[@KGSpradleyAuthor]

Good stuff. Worked with Mike and Gold in A-Stan.

[@ViewIndepth]

season 2!

[@jcbbb]

Raise the audio.... 6 videos are fine get to this one cant hear anything without cranking speakers

[@no-sway3709]

Its odd that a 1/8" AR will stabilize 77gr SMKs but 1/9" won't. I've used it for PRS without issues for gas gun division. Maybe the higher velocity with my handloads out of a 20" (2,900 vs 2,750) gave it a bit more RPMs to stabilize. Edit: your SG is around 1.4 which is marginally stable, so that makes sense.

[@josephq3515]

What’s the name of the French documentary

[@chrisculley3756]

Ha. I haven't heard man love Friday in a very long time. RLTW 3/75

[@MapleHillMunitions]

We're back baby!

[@KameronATM]

Anyone have the French documentary mentioned?

[@kendalljiles6906]

Great interview 🫡

[@colemcclain7319]

Praise God we are not without insight!

[@toddericsson3680]

I knew it! Thor & Whiteboy...

[@jameskirk3]

39:00 could you imagine taking what you need and your pilot turning telling you to lose another 200 lbs so you can fly? That's insane.

[@kaig453]

I love how Chris White sounds just like Larry David of "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" notoriety.

[@justinroberts6034]

You should have WB on again

[@michaelvaldez5177]

I lived in Switzerland for almost 4 years! The Swiss required every male is in the military reserves and or some kind of service! The take there weapons home (all automatic)and have a basic combat load! When you drive around look up you’ll see bunkers that are setup interlocking fire. Every village has a community bunker! They would shoot artillery over the house that live in ,it drove me crazy! During WW2 the Germans wanted cut through Switzerland general said to Swiss general “we have a million army The Swiss general said “we have half million man army and we will shoot twice”they drove around !

[@jodylivengood4061]

If it wasn't for Blackwater there would have been a draft. Stop loss was already implemented. Only one thing comes after that.

[@BRADLEY856]

Geez. 20 years ago. I was contracting then. Thanks for this, (Maqtada had his hands all over Najaf, Al Hillah, Ramadi, Wasit, Numinayah etc - he walked that freaking fence with both sides)

[@LordDirus007]

I just realized that is Travis Haley. We got old

[@AndyElisha]

Was hard to get air casvac out on Duke birds until the mortar outside the dome was hit afaik.

[@robertmccutcheon4103]

what is this french documentary i want to see this

[@chrisculley3756]

I remember this pretty well, but what I do remember is thinking of how shity our government and Military are at times . The fact that Blackwater contractors had to come in and save the day. running Choppers and medvac. if you guys weren't on that building with y'all's experience. that would have gone a very different way. First time catching your podcasts glad I stumbled upon it. I always wanted to hear about this from you guys who were there. I've read about it a little bit in Eric Prince's book. But I'd rather hear it from the guys that were there. As in you guys. RLTW 3/75

[@randycross8444]

Go watch Whiteboys interview on Combat Story as well....Its fire....

[@brawldawg8729]

That was great!

[@eltenda]

Outstanding episodes!

[@rowdstar]

Chris is fun to ride motorcycles with as well

[@Frank-uw5xq]

They need to create a separate program for Females, to then augment the A-Teams,Seal Team, Marsoc, it would prioritize their capabilities,& just makes sense

[@trickortrauma6149]

Theodore Roosevelt wrote The Man in the Arena.

[@seNor916x4]

1:40 the Swiss have the best civilian national militia of Europe. Just like every US Marine a rifleman, so are all military aged Swiss citizens.

[@thadburrow3073]

I have my volume up all the way and it's still hard to hear.

[@maxwackerman9863]

Time for a hearing aide

[@thadburrow3073]

@@maxwackerman9863 or maybe the audio is just bad or you can just tell the kinda you have and maybe I can get some of those.

[@ryanfischer2319]

You should have Dennis on your show.

[@Fallout777]

Great podcast brothers.

[@ArimaKihe1]

Let’s goooo HSP!!!

[@chrissnatchko7795]

Sounds like he’s describing Pittsburgh! Maybe he was stationed at the “Nike site” in Oakdale

[@Anotsu01]

Was Chris with Big Phil Campion on the anti piracy? As two fridges sounds too much of coincidence. 😂 You should get Big Phil on Travis.

[@puremolonlaber6674]

Can I ask a tough question? Could a strong sense of duty help fight PTSD?

[@MilitantPrepping]

It does help, for a while. Raising my kids helped, for a while, we have 6 of them lol. The problem is you’re just hiding it behind your duties. It’s still there, doing pushups and flutter kicks in the surf, waiting for you to let your guard down. What REALLY worked for me and for a lot of people is mushrooms. Don’t dismiss it just because guys in suits made it illegal or because hippies used them, it actually works, it’s medicine. I don’t use drugs and I’m not into that life, but I took the chance and ate the shrooms and had the experience…. Absolutely life changing. These days it’s even easier to get, if PTSD is a problem in your life you owe it to yourself to at least look into it

[@randycross8444]

What absolutely helps in not being in wars that are not justified. We have created all these middle eastern wars playing oil pirate. Even our war with Japan was over oil...

[@MilitantPrepping]

@@randycross8444 yeah we all get it. A lot of us did get sold the American Dream, patriotism, all of that. We live in a different world now, and hindsight is always 20/20, but most of us just did the best we could with the information we had. When I joined the army we weren’t at war. We hadn’t been at war for a while. I was supposed to just learn a decent skill, go live in Korea and experience their culture and get good at my job, go to University of Maryland Asia Division, play softball, and go to the gym to improve myself. On my 7th day in Korea the world trade centers got knocked down, and our entire world changed forever. I did get to enjoy some time in Korea, but finding myself pinned down by rifle fire on the side of a mountain in Afghanistan was NOT what I had in mind when I joined. Of course I knew war was possible, but if you were around back then you’d remember how peaceful everything was, life was good. Don’t be mad at the people who went off to “fight for our country” because we all have stories. Be mad at the mf’ers making the BIG decisions. Be mad at our government. We’re in this together man.

[@wango556]

25:29 absolutely correct. Actually combat proven SOP TTP’s are critical

[@bradborgelt60]

I love discussing shit like this.

[@gen3kali877]

FYI - civilians serving along side the military are eligible for the Bronze and Silver Star. Not that you’re looking for awards; just saying you’ll are probably eligible.

[@iivin4233]

I don't know what to make of the information here when compared to all the negative information floating around about Blackwater. My perspective is, that I just want to understand the truth.

[@foreststeel8842]

This was really nice

[@raydolinger1980]

Cant hear them.. :/

[@charlesmullins3238]

Ol Ky boy…my ninja