Combat Outpost (COP) Restrepo was a U.S. Army outpost located in the Korengal Valley in eastern Afghanistan. The Korengal Valley was known for being one of the most dangerous postings for U.S. forces during the conflict due to the high level of insurgent activity and challenging terrain.

Naming:

COP Restrepo was named in honor of Pfc. Juan Sebastián Restrepo, a medic who was killed in action in the Korengal Valley in July 2007.

Purpose and Challenges:

• Strategic Position: The outpost was established to help secure the area, disrupt insurgent activities, and facilitate development projects.
• Frequent Combat: Soldiers stationed at COP Restrepo faced frequent firefights, ambushes, and attacks from insurgent forces.
• Isolation and Terrain: The remote and rugged terrain made it challenging to supply and reinforced the sense of isolation among the troops stationed there.

Media Representation:

• Documentary – “Restrepo”: The daily life, challenges, and experiences of the soldiers stationed at COP Restrepo were documented in the award-winning film “Restrepo” (2010). The documentary was co-directed by journalists Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington, who spent a significant amount of time embedded with the soldiers.
• Sequel – “Korengal”: A sequel to “Restrepo,” titled “Korengal” (2014), continued to explore the soldiers’ experiences in the valley.
• Book – “War”: Sebastian Junger also wrote a book, “War” (2010), providing a detailed account of his time spent with the soldiers in the Korengal Valley.

Closure:

COP Restrepo, along with other U.S. positions in the Korengal Valley, was closed in April 2010 as part of a realignment of forces. The decision to withdraw was based on a reassessment of strategic priorities, with a focus on securing population centers and more heavily populated areas rather than maintaining remote outposts with high costs and risks.

The experiences of the soldiers at COP Restrepo and the broader challenges faced by U.S. and coalition forces in the Korengal Valley came to symbolize the difficulties of conducting counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan.