Video: NBC Reporter Has Dangerous Close Encounter on Libyan Front Line
- Posted on March 24, 2011 at 7:56am by
Meredith Jessup
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During a report aired Wednesday on NBC’s Nightly News, war correspondent Richard Engel offered a glimpse at the rebels’ fight against the forces of Moammar Gadhafi. At the 1:50 mark, you can hear incoming rounds bear down as Engel interviews rebel fighters:
As military operations continue in driving back Gadhafi’s forces, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that he could not predict when international military enforcement of the no-fly zone might end, but that the U.S. could relinquish control of the operation as soon as Saturday. The AP reports:
Gates says no one thought the assault would last only two or three weeks, but he could not say how the coalition operation might be resolved.
Gates said Wednesday the goals of the operation against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi are clear — establishing a no-fly zone and preventing Gadhafi from slaughtering his own people. Yet Gates had no answer when asked about a possible stalemate that could occur if Gadhafi hunkers down, and the coalition has no U.N. authorization to target him.
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Comments (104)
caitthegreat
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 11:56amoh hush you folks mocking his intentions for being in the harm’s way. if he was a correspondent for fox, you’d be praising his bravery. go after his politics, not his person.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:14pmAre you referring to Geraldo? Thats the flaw in your post.
Report Post »caitthegreat
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:18pmno, i’m not referring to geraldo. i‘m simply saying that it’s a little silly to act as though all liberal reporters are attention seeking boors out of nothing more than petty bias. to go into a warzone and attempt to tell the story of what happens there requires courage, regardless of what network you work for.
Report Post »jb1972
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 11:39amWell now this reporter knows that Qadaffi is not using plastic bombs, and they know where the shells were fired from. How come a couple of french jets werent seen in the area soon after this report?
Report Post »Barack Oburgundy
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 11:16amYou know what they call a liberal nbc reporter killed in action???? a good start !! Why don’t you cover something important like say…..THE PLANNED TERRORIST ASSAULT ON THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND COLLAPSING OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM !!!!!!
Report Post »projectvxn
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:55amCome on guys. I’m not a fan of NBC either, but these people are Americans and are in a dangerous place trying to get a story(all slant aside). That’s crap situation to be in.
Report Post »cntrlfrk
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:24amSorry if I don’t feel sorry for these guys, but I was watching a ‘reporter’ standing next to armed rebels as Quadaffi fighter jets flew over.
They don‘t care and can’t tell who you are when they drop a bomb on your azz.
Report Post »willbedone
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:15amIf the Arabs and Muslims were not fighting and killing each other here, they would be doing it somewhere else. I would rather they keep “playing” in their own sandbox and keep it to themselves.
Give the last standing survivor a Ham sandwich.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 12:20pmAMEN brother, AMEN!
Report Post »FLyoverman
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:06amNo helmet, no body armor. Brilliant.
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:59amThese idiot reporters insert themselves into a war zone and expect NOT be a casualty? If they get killed, they brought it upon themselves! I have not one single ounce of sympathy for them, or for their employers.
Report Post »chkiaar
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:41am@ Frankspeak, Maybe we could convince Whoopi and Joy to accompany Chris Matthews? You know, for a womans “view” perhaps.
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:15amDont forget to add Bill Maher and Jon Stewart to that mix
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:35amYesterday, aboard Air Force One, deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes coined a bizarre new term for obama’s unprovoked attack on Libya – it is not a war, it is a “kinetic military action”. Cute.
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:07am“ Kinetic military action ” is one of the terms used by the Obama administration to distance itself from what is really going on in Libya, A WAR. President Obama was one of the most outspoken critics of ” Bush’s Wars ” when he was a US Senator. He said they were uncontitutional, should not be funded and all troups should be withdrawn immediately.
Obama was such a “ peacenik ” he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to world peace, after only a few weeks in office. I wonder what award he’ll receive for bombing Libya ? At least President Bush asked for and received congressional approval for his wars, something Obama failed to do giving the excuse that it wasn’t really a war. I wonder if he was the one the bombs were being dropped on if he would then consider his military action a war ?
Report Post »hempstead1944
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:26amThis guy has been an adrenalin junkee forever…..trouble is, his reporting hasn’t been all that accurate.
Report Post »James Daly
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:16amDid ANYBODY NOTICE that when they don’t get blown up, the ‘rebels’ yell “ALLAHU AKHBAR!”? Whose side are we on here, exactly?
Report Post »Doug in Seattle
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:34amI too would be praising God I was still alive in such a situation. So would a lot of atheists!
Report Post »mill
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:15amI think it is a mistake, big mistake, to have reporters any where near war…i don‘t think it’s that important to hear and see every move. they are not prepared, usually try to catch our soldiers doing something they can exploit. I don’t see them as brave, gritty or anything positive…
Report Post »beachmaster
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:51amI’m sorry .. this just doesn’t make the top ten list for “war correspondents in action.” My favorite clip remains the one of Geraldo Rivera, reporting from a the top of a rock in afghanistan … and not understanding that he is clearly outlined against the sky to any nearby taliban .. and then being knocked over backwards and rolling down and off of the rock at the sound of a near miss ….
Report Post »reckless
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:40amStory was that Rivera was kicked out of the front-line troops after drawing a “map” on the ground for TV, possibly alerting the enemy to the American position.
Report Post »Rivera then made reports from several miles away from the front lines and reportedly paid Afghani civilians to fire their weapons in close proximity to make it seem as if he was bravely reporting from the thick of battle.
TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:47amEngle is annoying but I do wish him safe passage. I just can’t watch NBC people. They are B-list to me.
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:44amObama’s strange, unprovoked, little war against Libya may not officially be a “war”, but it is still a dangerous place for reporters and a deadly place for Libya civilians.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 7:43pmSo is Los Angeles. Imbed a few reporters with the crips and bloods and see what happens!!
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:41amwar is hell.. I feel for those involved and pray they return safe.. that being said sometimes the press doesnt use common sense
Report Post »soapman
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:27amone less reporter would only be a good thing
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 6:30pm“One less reporter would be a good thing”
Report Post »True! Took the words right out of my mouth.
Cemoto78
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:22amRichard Engel does a great job getting the situation to the American people. I have seen him do the same type of reporting in Iraq and Afghanistan and he is always in the vicinity of the front. I wish him no harm as he continues to bring the news from the conflicts around the world to us. Stay safe Engel.
Report Post »southernORcobra
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:14amstupid reporters think they are invulnerable because they are with the press
Report Post »James Daly
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:13amWhat brave corporate logos! Can you see that I am serious?! Join me or die… can you do any less?
Report Post »ISeeDanger.com
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:09amSuggestion…
Don’t hang out with rebels.
Especially when you know people are shooting at them.
It will make your day better.
http://www.ISeeDanger.com
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:07amwhy is there a war correspondent there? according to the media and the administration, this isnt a war …………………………..
Report Post »Anti-Broker0101
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:15amHe got his 15 minutes….
Report Post »MinorityRightsAdvocate
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:48amGood point, if it’s not war, then no need for a WAR correspondent! Maybe we can call it a “man caused disaster correspondent” or an “overseas contingent operation correspondent” instead? Of course the bullets will still fly, but the propaganda/public relations effort is so much better!
http://minorityrightsadvocate.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/obama-lies-america-dies/
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:04amI don’t think the U.S. should be involved at all. Period. Other than taking out that stupid sculpture of a U.S. plane in a clenched fist, and possibly the death of Daffy’s son, we’ve got no business there.
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:15amIt depends what the meaning of “war” is. In this case, since Obama did not get Congressional authorization, it is not war. Bomb away.
Report Post »QuietTexan
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:57amHe’s a “kinetic military activity” correspondent. According to one assistant defense secretary, anyway.
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:05amIf he dies, he deserves it. Only a fool would put himself in that situation.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:30am@Apple Bite
I think Engel is doing a good service. (yes I know he is way liberal) This is as close as 08% of people in our country get to war. It needs to be shown. People need to understand how awful combat is. Actually I think we should have more and more graphic reporting. Go back to reporting body counts. Most Americans go about their daily lives not even bothering to think about our men & women in combat.
I believe that sometimes war is a necessary evil. We should fight hard, win and get the hell home. No one hates war more than a soldier.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:32amOooops……98%……
Report Post »WAR PIGS CRAWLING
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:37amTens of thousands of Marines and Soldiers do it everyday…for a hell-of-a-lot less pay. As Eastwood says in -The Unforgiven…..”Deserve’s got nothing to do with it”.
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:53amI have no issues with War provided the necessity is within reasoning….
When it comes to reporters, they need to keep their carcasses out of the way. What‘s the purpose of interviewing a solider that’s being shot at while he has a mic in his face? These reporters have caused soilders their lives as well. Having to protect them and themselves. A line should be drawn at reporting the action, and damn near getting killed. This fool was so close to the action it’s very possible he could have been killed in the process.
Report Post »weeblewacker1
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:53amwell i guess you will never see a pox-news reporter out there like that! damn cowards.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:23amHe has been in war zones for so long that I bet he will never be able to live a normal life again. He has been reporting for NBC since the beginning of the Iraq war. http://wp.me/pYLB7-MH
Report Post »VerySeniorCitizen
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:51pm@82DAIRBORNE
Thank you for your service. I lived with the sound of the V2s back in WW2. When you heard them it was OK, but when the noise stopped – DUCK!
Michael Ware was as good a reporter (during the Iraq war) as I think any news outlet had. I’m not surprised that he had a nervous breakdown when it was over.
And during this current Middle East problems I don’t think we could find a better reporter than Richard Engel. He is Pharsi speaking which gives him an edge in that uncomfortable job.
I wish ALL reporters well because they are all doing an invaluable job – and get much criticism for it!
Report Post »OLDANDBITTERCLINGER
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:26am82DAIRBORNE SAID IT ALL: I believe that sometimes war is a necessary evil. We should fight hard, win and get the hell home. No one hates war more than a soldier.
When we start fighting war all out again, LIKE OUR ENEMIES DO, we can’t help but win. But, until then we can’t help but lose!!
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:05amI hate that situation. Nothing you can do except make yourself small and hope they miss.
Report Post »FrankSpeak
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:24amCan we convince Chris Matthews to report from Libya?
Report Post »Run Silent
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:26amAnything to make yourself a name, not to mention, a bigger buck.
Report Post »Leadthemtothelight
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:28amI hope they all stay safe. I think it is a mistake to have them their however. When this thing goes south having a bunch of reporters available for hostages is probably not the best idea.
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:57amThat would be pretty scary right now to be standing anywhere in Libya.
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs4X2RDvw5E
kryptonite
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:57amWhere’s your honor, Gates. Stop messing with Israel. You should have handed in your resignation. Is Israel the only country that is not allowed to protect its citizens?
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 8:59amFrank – And maybe Keith Olberman would like to go with Matthews, too.
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:04am@Frankspeak
Report Post »Yeah, and O’Reilly too. Maybe he’ll learn something, being the simple man that he is.
cemerius
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:45amI agree 82d! I have been in that situation way too many times! My concern is that we SHOULD not be in that mess in the first place! I am so glad that I am Retired now because I can imagine that the UN will be leading the “coalition ledership” and then we will have the UN in charge of USA aircraft carrier assets!
Report Post »KTSontag
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:45amAll high school and college aged kids, please join this group and start talking about issues facing our nation in a non-partisan environment. http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Youth-Politics/197056810326070 Don’t forget to invite your friends!
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:50amAs a US Marine with extensive combat experience in Vietnam I know the fear and horror that the sound of incoming shells can create even in battle hardened men. It‘s a terrifying and helpless feeling not knowing if your in the shell’s path., and if you are, there’s nothing you can do about it. More than 40 years after my combat tours I still carry a souvenir from the Vietnam War, a piece of mortar shell shrapnel embedded in my right jawbone.
One of my best friends who enlisted in the USMC with me in the 1950′s receive a direct hit from a heavy mortar round and all that was found of him was his left boot. About the only thing you can do is hug the ground and make yourself as small a target as possible. When the shell explodes with a terrible ear numbing and head spliting concusion, you’re relieved because you heard it.
It’s said that you never hear the one that lands on top of you. How one would know such a thing is a puzzel to me. Artillery and other explosive devices are responsble for about 75% of combat casualties. In the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan the casualty percentage is greater due to the extensive use of improvised explosive devices or IED’s. God bless our men and women in our armed forces who are in harms way.
Report Post »mtnclimberjim
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 9:52amOK, I put myself in a war zone. I have a family. I just want to report on the fighting. Hmmmm, stupid?
Report Post »Can’t really give a rip about it if you get a hole in ya.
TexasCommonSense
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:10amIt would have been nice if during the interview he would have asked the rebels who they are, or who is organizing them. Muslim Brotherhood, Al Qaeda, or just ordinary people?
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:41amThe undeclared War continues, a War without any approval whatsoever. An Air War that does not suppress air planes as its title implys, is actually engaging all forces on the ground. Sounds like it got redefined on the run or right after it was approved. When will it stop?
Report Post »leftiesaredangerous
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:51amI didn’t see any real danger. Looked to me like that kid in the tornado video.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 11:10amTo ALL you Brave MEN that have served in the military…I THANK YOU for your service and your sacrifice to our GREAT NATION. God’s Speed and blessings!
Report Post »FREDINOHIO
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 12:16pmHad a similar experience in Viet Nam with 122mm rockets a few more times than I care to remember.
Report Post »VerySeniorCitizen
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 3:37pmFRANKSPEAK
There are some very competent reporters and there are some NOT SO competent reporters who service their particular news outlets in these ‘tough to cover’ zones. Richard Engel is one of the former. He is Pharsi speaking and always gets as close to the action as possible. He is to be admired.
I think the ONLY reporter on the FOX team who even comes close, is Shepard Smith – whose reporting from Japan was great.
Report Post »2H9
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 5:01pmYou got that straight, SkyGrunt!!! Makes it worse when you know there is no dustoff to evac you, too.
Report Post »Bloody Sam
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 7:08pmSorry…‘almost’ does not count.
Report Post »JMS
Posted on March 24, 2011 at 10:49pmI may regreat saying this, but that looked so fake. Was that staged by the rebels with the help of MSLSD?
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