Unveiling the Untold Sniper Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan

When we think of war, certain images come to mind. Soldiers storming beaches, tanks rolling across deserts, or jets roaring across the sky. However, deep within the shadows, another group of warriors silently carry out their missions - snipers.

The Art of Precision

Snipers are a breed apart. Equipped with patience, exceptional marksmanship, and unwavering determination, these sharpshooters play a crucial role in modern warfare.

Alt Attribute: A sniper lays prone on a rooftop, peering through a high-powered scope towards the horizon.

Long Rifle: A Sniper's Story in Iraq and Afghanistan

by Joe LeBleu(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2105 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	240 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In the deserts of Iraq and the treacherous mountain terrain of Afghanistan, snipers have published an account of their experiences, sharing the heart-stopping tales of courage, struggle, and triumph.

Clash in Ramadi

One of the most iconic battles in Iraq occurred in the city of Ramadi. Here, snipers from both sides engaged in a deadly game of cat and mouse. The streets became hunting grounds, the buildings their hideouts.

Alt Attribute: A sniper, concealed within a building, takes aim at enemy combatants crossing a street.

The battle for Ramadi was an urban warfare nightmare. Throughout the chaos, sniper teams positioned themselves meticulously. With their high-powered rifles, covering distances over 1000 yards, they struck fear into the hearts of enemy troops. Their precision rendered the opposing force bewildered, unable to identify friend from foe.

Ghosts of the Mountains

Alt Attribute: A sniper team, camouflaged amidst the rugged mountain terrain, observes the enemy's movements from a concealed spot.

Amidst the rugged mountains of Afghanistan, snipers faced a unique set of challenges. The unforgiving terrain tested their skills to the utmost. In these high-altitude conditions, where a single misstep could be fatal, snipers mastered the art of camouflage, blending seamlessly with the environment.

Their vantage points provided unparalleled advantages, allowing them to monitor and disrupt enemy activities from afar. Their tales speak of long-range engagements, where patience and precision were crucial. The intelligence they gathered saved countless lives among their comrades.

A Battle of Wits

Alt Attribute: A sniper team patiently waits for the perfect moment to engage their target.

In both Iraq and Afghanistan, snipers engaged in a constant battle of wits with their enemy counterparts. Each side sought to outmaneuver and outsmart the other, leading to incredible tales of bravery and cunning.

Whether it was stalking their prey for hours, silently taking down high-value targets, or avoiding detection by employing innovative techniques, snipers utilized every tool at their disposal to gain the upper hand.

Alt Attribute: A sniper, weary but resolute, gazes into the distance after a successful mission.

Sniper stories from Iraq and Afghanistan provide a rare glimpse into the world of one of the most lethal and essential components of modern warfare. These unsung heroes recount their experiences, shedding light on the physical and mental challenges they faced, as well as the sacrifices they made to protect their fellow soldiers.

Through their accounts, we gain a deeper appreciation for the art of precision, the power of patience, and the importance of teamwork. Their stories underscore the quiet heroism that exists within the shadows, reminding us of the untold sacrifices made by those who fight to preserve our freedom.

Long Rifle: A Sniper's Story in Iraq and Afghanistan

by Joe LeBleu(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2105 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	240 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

When fires raged in the ruins of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, Joe LeBleu, a native of Brooklyn and a retired U.S. Army Ranger veteran, was in lower Manhattan. On that day he decided to return to active duty. By the time he received an honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant, paratrooper, and sniper team leader in the 82nd Airborne Division in 2005, he’d become known as “Long Rifle”—for shooting an Iraqi insurgent at 1,100 meters in Fallujah in the fall of 2003. That single shot remains the farthest in Iraq by any American or British sniper.

This book tells his story.

Long Rifle is gripping and moving, but most of all, inspiring. As 9/11 altered the terrain of so many lives, it shaped that of Joe LeBleu: “Watching my city burn tore me up inside like nothing else in my life, ever.” Joe takes us with him from that haunting day in New York across the world, to the sweltering heat and ambush-rife conditions of desert and urban combat in Iraq. From here we enter a vastly different world: the remote and rugged mountains of Afghanistan. Joe’s accounts of sniper missions against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in this grueling landscape are engaging and intriguing. Finally, Joe trusts his gut and returns to civilian life, settling near Las Vegas and going on to train Mark Wahlberg for his role as a Force Recon Marine scout/sniper in the film, Shooter. Joe had come full circle from 9/11, “a day that changed my life forever.”

Raw, gritty, passionate, and provocative, Long Rifle is both the first memoir by a U.S. Army sniper from the 9/11 generation and a stirring testament to the core values of American soldiers: integrity, honor, and courage. LeBleu’s journey to war and back also testifies to the enduring power of love: Joe carried his dream to return to Natalie, his wife, for six long years.