The Outpost

The Outpost

Year: 2020

Runtime: 123 min

Language: English

Director: Rod Lurie

Echo Score: 74

Budget: $18M

ActionDramaHistoryWar

During a fierce battle in the remote valley of three mountains, a small U.S. military outpost comes under relentless attack by Taliban fighters. The soldiers of Bravo Troop 3-61 CAV find themselves in a desperate fight for survival, facing overwhelming numbers and enduring a brutal conflict that becomes known as the Battle of Kamdesh. Their courage and resilience are tested as they struggle to defend their position and withstand the intense fighting.

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Timeline – The Outpost (2020)

Trace every key event in The Outpost (2020) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Arrival at PRT Kamdesh

SSG Romesha arrives with a new group of soldiers at PRT Kamdesh under CPT Keating. The unit shifts into a tense, watchful posture as they take over the outpost. This moment sets the stage for the sustained combat and strained leadership that follows.

2009 PRT Kamdesh, Afghanistan
2

Scusa saves a dog

SGT Scusa risks himself to save a dog from being shot, earning a quick display of courage under fire. The act occurs amid mounting pressure as Taliban attacks begin to press the outpost. The dog becomes a morale-boosting symbol for the weary soldiers.

Kamdesh, Afghanistan
3

Outpost defends against Taliban attacks

The men fend off multiple Taliban assaults, holding the perimeter under intense fire. They rely on discipline, fire discipline, and teamwork to prevent the base from being overrun. The attacks test the soldiers' resolve and readiness.

Kamdesh Outpost, Afghanistan
4

Gallegos confronts Yunger

SSG Gallegos assaults PFC Yunger for firing too close to his head, exposing tensions within the unit under stress. The incident illustrates how pressure and danger can strain relationships among soldiers. It foreshadows the volatility of life at the outpost.

Kamdesh Outpost, Afghanistan
5

Larson reprimands Carter

SGT Larson reprimands SPC Carter for arguing during the firefight, highlighting frictions that can flare up under stress. The moment underscores leadership dynamics and the potential for internal conflict during combat. It foreshadows the challenges of maintaining discipline in the heat of battle.

Kamdesh Outpost, Afghanistan
6

Shura with elders over infrastructure money

Keating arranges a shura with local elders, offering money for infrastructure projects in exchange for peace. The move attempts to win local favor but also reveals ethical and strategic complexities of the counterinsurgency. The negotiations reflect the blurred lines between aid and influence at the base.

Kamdesh, Afghanistan
7

Gunshot residue test links local participant

A gunshot residue test indicates that a local man participated in the previous day's attack, though he and others still lay down their arms. The test complicates the search for accountability and raises questions about loyalties on the ground. The moment shows the fog of war where evidence can be inconclusive.

Kamdesh, Afghanistan
8

Keating drives LMTV; vehicle goes off cliff

Keating volunteers to drive a large LMTV along the narrow mountain roads to move supplies and respond to threats. The vehicle slips off a cliff, killing Keating and changing the course of the mission. The loss reverberates through the unit as commanders reassess the danger of the terrain.

October 2009 Narrow mountain roads near Kamdesh, Afghanistan
9

Yllescas assumes command; patrol planned

CPT Yllescas takes command and orders a patrol after another attack, signaling a shift in leadership. Romesha details how he would mount an assault on the vulnerable outpost, emphasizing a proactive response. The back-and-forth reveals the strategic divide within the leadership under strain.

After Keating's death Kamdesh Outpost, Afghanistan
10

Kirk arrests local man; money withheld

SGT Kirk apprehends a local man paid by the elders to photograph the base. Yllescas withholds the promised money, adjusting the financial incentives tied to local cooperation. This moment demonstrates how intelligence and influence affect the outpost's relations with nearby villages.

Kamdesh Outpost, Afghanistan
11

Mohammed warns of a large-scale attack

The Afghan interpreter Mohammed warns of an impending large-scale attack, but his fears are dismissed by leaders and planners. The dismissal underlines a critical misjudgment of threat levels and the challenges of counterinsurgency intelligence. The warning foreshadows the looming danger.

Kamdesh, Afghanistan
12

Yllescas and Yunger on patrol; Yllescas killed

During a bridge patrol with Yunger, CPT Yllescas is killed by a bomb; the traumatized Yunger is talked out of suicide by Romesha and extracted with Yllescas' body. The loss devastates the leadership and tests the unit's resilience. Romesha helps stabilize morale in the immediate aftermath.

October 2009 Bridge near Kamdesh, Afghanistan
13

Broward assumes command; base to close; Afghan ID discovered

CPT Broward takes charge and reveals that the base will soon be closed. An Afghan ID is found near the bridge, but Broward refuses to permit Romesha and others to search nearby villages. The decision highlights policy constraints and the mounting pressure to abandon the perimeter.

October 2009 Kamdesh Outpost, Afghanistan
14

Night attack reveals night vision and mortars

A nighttime attack reveals that insurgents now have night-vision equipment and mortars, increasing the threat to the outpost. The attack forces the defenders to adapt their tactics to the new capabilities of the enemy. It marks a turning point in the siege conditions.

Nighttime Kamdesh Outpost, Afghanistan
15

October 3 siege and aftermath

On October 3, 2009, hundreds of Taliban fighters surround the outpost, triggering a brutal firefight. Romesha leads a counterattack to retake key positions while several soldiers are killed or wounded, including Mace who dies after being evacuated. Air support arrives and the base is demolished, with Romesha and Carter later receiving the Medal of Honor for their actions.

October 3, 2009 Kamdesh, Afghanistan

Last Updated: January 08, 2026 at 12:00

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