APG soldier highlighted in OEF film

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - An Aberdeen Proving Ground Soldier is featured in a recently-released film containing 100 percent real and raw battlefield footage taken in the most violent part of Afghanistan. The film, "The Hornet's Nest," is the product of two journalists -- Mike and Carlos Boettcher, a father and son - who were embedded with 1-33 Cavalry, 3rd Brigade "Rakkasans" of the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) from Fort Campbell, Ky. The duo spent nearly two years in Afghanistan filming the activities of the 1-33rd Cavalry as well as the 101st Airborne Division's 1st Brigade's 2-327Battalion and the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines.

Then Lt. Col. Stephen J. Lutsky was a squadron commander with the 1-33rd Cavalry, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) when he deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 during Operation Endurng Freedom (OEF). It was his fourth deployment in the War on Terror -- the three previous deployments had been to Iraq while assigned to Fort Stewart, Ga.

Lutsky said the two journalists were embedded with his squadron in 2010. They came fully trained with their own gear and remained on the ground with the units about 15 months.

He said they were knowledgeable, professional and likeable. And, they focused on the task at hand often through fierce, bloody and deadly confrontations with the Taliban.

"We basically showed them what the squadron was doing and they turned out what they thought was worth a story," he said, adding, "They had no agenda, the movie is not political. They merely focused on telling a story they already knew."

"This movie reflects Soldiers in combat," he added.

Lutsky was able to attend the film's screenings in New York and in Washington, D.C.

"It's pretty hard to see yourself on the big screen," he said. "But what you see is honest. There are no bodies and no blood. They intentionally cut all that out to focus on Soldiers and what they do; what they go through."

"There are no retakes and you can hear the bullets zipping past. But the main thing you see is Soldiers doing their duty and putting themselves at risk for their brothers."

He said the experience made him realize that most Soldiers, like himself, seldom articulate what they go through and that providing a view from the Soldier's perspective serves an important need.

"I don't believe in sharing that with my Family; it serves no purpose," he said. "It doesn't accomplish anything except to make them miserable. There is no value in sharing with them but at the same time, talking is therapeutic."

He said when his wife viewed the movie she saw things happen to him she didn't know about. She knew he was injured in an attack for example, but didn't realize he was in the same room with a suicide bomber when the vest the bomber was wearing exploded. He keeps the ball bearings that were removed from his leg, arm and neck in his office.

"She has a better understanding now and she also understands how it is I've changed," he said.

He added that he's talked to Soldiers who used the film as a method to talk thing through. Couples have said it saved their marriage, he said, noting that the film is being shown to basic trainees and ROTC cadets.

"It's very good for that purpose," he said.

Lutsky keeps in touch with the film's director, David Salzberg who has served as producer or executive producer of such feature film projects as "The Perfect Game," "For Right or Wrong" and "Running the Sahara." Co-producer director Christian Tureaud collaborated on many of the same films.

"I believe every American should see "The Hornet's Nest," Lutsky said. "Sometimes I wonder if they know what 'Thank you for your service' really means."

Lutsky is a career Armor Warrior who entered the Army in the enlisted ranks in 1987 before gaining his commission through ROTC in 1990. He holds a bachelor's degree in Micro Biology and a master's in Administration (Leadership Core). His military education includes the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He served in Bosnia, Albania/Kosovo and in Operation Iraqi Freedom I, III and V. His awards include three Bronze Star medals, Army Commendation Medal with Valor and two Purple Heart medals.

Promoted to colonel in 2013, Lutsky is the director of the Mounted Systems Evaluation Directorate, Army Evaluation Center, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command.

"The Hornet's Nest"

The Hornet's Nest is unprecedented in that it is the only film to release nationwide that is 100 percent real with raw battlefield combat footage taken from the most violent part of Afghanistan. There are Soldiers in the film who are not alive by its end. The film is not a reenactment and there are no actors.

Two embedded journalists, Mike Boettcher and his son Carlos, bravely follow a group of U.S. troops to a dangerous mission deep inside one of Afghanistan's most hostile valleys. Mike and Carlos are the only father and son to win an Emmy for the same news story.

Armed only with their cameras, the two Peabody and Emmy Award-winning conflict journalists provide unprecedented access into the longest war in U.S. history while embedded with U.S. Forces fighting on the front lines in Afghanistan, amidst the constant threat of the Taliban. Their journey, "The Hornet's Nest," unfolds a true story of survival not only for the soldiers but for a father and son who seek to rekindle their relationship under the most harrowing of circumstances. The film was released nationally May 23.

For more information, or to locate a viewing nearby, visit the film's website at http://thehornetsnestmovie.com/.