War as never seen before

‘Taking Fire’ gives an extraordinary first-eye view of modern warfare

Experienced a war like a solider? With its new series Taking Fire - Live from Afganistan, Discovery will bring viewers into the hearts and minds of soldiers, a captivating experience like nothing ever seen on film. For the first-time ever, Taking fire - live from Afganistan provides viewers with an inside-look at the Afghanistan War from the perspective of four members of the 101st Airborne deployed to Combat Outpost Michigan. The series uses footage taken directly from the soldiers’ helmet and body cameras.

Taking fire- live from Afganistan is the story of a band of brothers deployed to defend one of the United States’ farthest flung outposts at the gateway to one of the deadliest places on earth: the mouth of the Taliban-held Korengal Valley in Northeast Afghanistan. Told by the men who fought on the frontlines themselves and illustrated with real combat footage shot on helmet cameras and handy cams, this material never-before-seen on television takes viewers along for a visceral experience not witnessed in news reports or traditional documentary portrayals of war.

Commenting on the series, Sameer Rao, VP – Real World Entertainment (South Asia), Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said, “Taking Fire – Live from Afganistan is war as never seen before. The footage these soldiers brought back, charts an extraordinary first-eye view of modern warfare in one of the deadliest places on earth.”

It is not simply a series of war stories, but a character-driven serial, showing the impact of war on a handful of men during the course of their year on the frontlines. Presented through the eyes of four American soldiers, Kyle Boucher, JJ McCool, Kyle Petry and Ken Shriver, their unmediated rushes reveal personal struggles with the dilemmas, confusions, joys and sorrows of war.

The men leave the United States seeking adventure, inspired to serve their country. What they experience in Afghanistan changes them forever. In flashes forward to their lives six years on, the men reflect on their year in the Korengal. Now, with their partners who waited anxiously for the safe return of their sweethearts, these soldiers reunite. For some, it's their chance to lay old ghosts to rest. Discovery’s five-part series Taking fire- live from Afganistan will premiere Thursday, February 2 from 10pm and will air one episode per week.