Introducing ‘Rapid Fire’, new short-form episodes of Heroes Behind Headlines featuring our host Ralph Pezzullo himself, telling an amazing story about an incredible hero. There is no better person with whom to begin, particularly during the week of September 11, than CIA Case Officer Gary Berntsen.

Gary is the man the CIA picked to lead the first Americans into Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11. Armed with less than 500 total CIA and Special Operations personnel - along with US air power and over $11 million in cash - Gary led one of the most consequential missions in American history. 

It is easy to forget in the two decades since, but the initial phase of taking the fight to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban was a massive success. A phase which cumulated before Thanksgiving 2001, with none other than Osama bin-Laden trapped in the mountain pass of Tora Bora.

We hope you enjoy ‘Rapid Fire’ and as always, thanks for listening to Heroes Behind Headlines.