For the first time ever, hear the ground truth on the war against ISIS from the men who started it.

2019-03-25T15:02:01-04:00

In this vivid first-person narrative, retired special operations Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) MSgt Wes Bryant and former commanding general of Iraq Dana Pittard give a fascinating and detailed account of America’s fight against one of the most barbaric insurgencies the world has ever seen.

In the summer of 2014, three years after America’s full troop withdrawal from the Iraq War, President Barack Obama authorized a small task force to push back into Baghdad. Their mission: Protect the Iraqi capital and U.S. Embassy from a rapidly emerging terrorist threat.

A plague of brutality, that would come to be known as ISIS, had created a foothold in northwest Iraq and northeast Syria. It had declared itself a Caliphate—an independent nation-state administered by an extreme and cruel form of Islamic law—and was spreading like a newly evolved virus. Soon, a massive and devastating U.S. military response unfolded.

Hunting the Caliphate is a vivid, first-person narrative from two vastly differing but converging perspectives. See through the eyes of the senior enlisted special operations JTAC who coordinated and controlled the first airstrikes against ISIS in Baghdad, then went on to hunt ISIS across Syria and Afghanistan in the years to follow, and enter the strategic mind of the commanding general who initiated and led the campaign against ISIS in Iraq.

Hear the ground truth on the senior military and political interactions that shaped America’s war against ISIS, a war unprecedented in both its methodology and its application of modern military technology. Enter the world of the Strike Cell, secretive operations centers where America’s greatest enemies are hunted and killed day and night. Plunge into the realm of the special operations JTAC—American warfighters with the highest enemy kill counts on the battlefield. And gain the wisdom of a cumulative half-century of military experience as Dana Pittard and Wes Bryant lay out the path to a sustained victory over ISIS.

What drove the authors to tell this story?

In writing Hunting the Caliphate, Dana and Wes wanted to record a vital piece of history and do it in a way that was gritty and real—not just as a legacy to those who served in the fight against ISIS, but to educate the public on the inside story of a very unique campaign. They believe the American people deserve to know and, perhaps more importantly, that policy makers and government officials must better understand the warfighter’s point of view since they make the decisions that guide America's military efforts across the world while often never having had any personal military experience.

Dana and Wes felt that the unique and unprecedented blend of perspectives between the political, strategic, and operational insight of the senior commanding general on the ground, combined with the first-hand tactical experience of the senior enlisted special operations JTAC to carry out the mission, would be very impactful and resonate with a wide spectrum of readers.

There are a lot of standout aspects about Hunting the Caliphate: It is the first definitive account on the war against ISIS straight from two of the key men to wage it. It is one of the few books co-written by a general and a senior noncommissioned officer (from two different services, at that). And, it is the first major book written by a Joint Terminal Attack Controller.

Be entertained, be riveted, and become enlightened as you learn the truth about how America's war against ISIS began, how it has really been fought, and what steps need taken to ensure final defeat of the Islamic State and its terrorist networks.

Hunting the Caliphate is available for preorder on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online retailers. It has a hardcover release date of August 27, 2019.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Mar 25 at 2019 3:08 PM

2019-03-25T15:08:25-04:00

Thanks for the information

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Mar 25 at 2019 3:47 PM

2019-03-25T15:47:22-04:00

Thanks for sharing, will see if I can find the book in the library.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 25 at 2019 4:07 PM

2019-03-25T16:07:01-04:00

I thought special operators could not talk about their missions.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Mar 25 at 2019 7:52 PM

2019-03-25T19:52:06-04:00

This is going to be a terrific book. Nothing like it has been written yet.
MSgt Wes Bryant - With the recent news that ISIS territory has been taken over, but they still carry significant financing, where do you see the next battleground?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2019 10:15 PM

2019-03-25T22:15:45-04:00

Sounds like the book will be a good read.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Mar 26 at 2019 6:59 AM

2019-03-26T06:59:03-04:00

Read the book the solitary man. Based on a true story. Drugs in Vietnam and Burma.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Mar 26 at 2019 1:30 PM

2019-03-26T13:30:56-04:00

Looking forward to it. Re-post when it is released.

Response by SPC William Szkromiuk made Mar 31 at 2019 11:54 AM

2019-03-31T11:54:11-04:00

Interesting. A Two Star and an E-7 co authors. I like it already! Trying to figure out the time frame. When does the book end time wise?? The General retired in 2015 and the Master Sergeant in 2018.
Will the "final defeat of ISIS" be in the story?

Response by SFC George Smith made Apr 1 at 2019 1:40 AM

2019-04-01T01:40:37-04:00

Thanks For The Share

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2019 10:46 AM

2019-04-09T10:46:47-04:00

Going to pre order it right now !

Response by SPC Bill Howard made Apr 11 at 2019 12:06 AM

2019-04-11T00:06:16-04:00

I'll be looking for this book!

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Apr 16 at 2019 11:27 AM

2019-04-16T11:27:34-04:00

For a searing account of the cumulative trauma experienced by combatants, see "Shooting Ghosts" by TJ Brennan and Finbarr O'Reilly. It prompted me to write an article and have it published. It is entitled "The Dark Beast Behind Combat Trauma". If anyone is interested in it, just text me to [login to see] . I conduct research about combat trauma.
Rich

Response by SPC Richard Kucken made May 10 at 2019 1:17 PM

2019-05-10T13:17:34-04:00

I am grateful for all you both have done, as well I am grateful for the 10's of thousands perhaps even 100's of thousands of men and women who served and who yet serve today. I debt that can never be repaid. A debt that most all civilians know nothing of. RESPECT, HONOR, COURAGE!!

Response by PO2 Garry Hoffman made May 10 at 2019 11:04 PM

2019-05-10T23:04:50-04:00

I have to read this...
Dear MSgt, thank you deeply for your service and sacrifices, and especially for taking on the task of giving us all the gift of experiencing warfighting against those evil savages. We've been at war against radical Islam for our nation's entire history, Thomas Jefferson was our first President to officially declare it when he put his foot down and said no to Congress paying ransom to the Barbary Caliphate. It's sad to think that even with
the brave and decisive acts of you and your Warrior Brothers to smother their organization has left them a shell of their former self, I know the fight is far from over.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Jun 15 at 2019 10:56 AM

2019-06-15T10:56:07-04:00

I believe this publication will evolve as a best seller; a Booker Prize winner and; a Military Strategy and Management Leader Training Syllabus. I wish both General Dana Pittard and MSgt Wes Bryant great success ahead and post release.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 25 at 2019 2:47 PM

2019-06-25T14:47:04-04:00

I am making a great assumption that ISIS is becoming global and will try to strengthen Muslim insurgencies. What we lack is human and terrain intelligence. If the local population are not willing to help allied militaries, it will most likely be a long campaign.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 6 at 2019 8:28 PM

2019-07-06T20:28:38-04:00

On my list to read

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 19 at 2019 11:02 AM

2019-09-19T11:02:48-04:00

Great informative share General.

Response by SPC Johnny Velazquez, PhD made Nov 3 at 2019 4:07 PM

2019-11-03T16:07:58-05:00

Hooah! Thank you so much for this info. I will read this book, and merit should be given to MSgt. West, and General Pittard. A job well done. Thank you for your service. Blessings.