They medically discharged Marcus from the Navy in the same year. Kenneth Anger: Where The Bodies Are Buried. So you're always on your guard. But he said the hardest part for him was watching Ben Foster, as Matt Axelson, die, because he wasn't there for that. This makes a lot of sense when you read of how Luttrell stayed alive on that mountain, crawling on his belly with a broken back, losing blood with a leg full of shrapnel. 'No I'm good, I'd rather die.' Its unbelievable what you can do when the threat to your own life is that bad. He chased the mens car eastward from Walker County, where the car was stopped by Onalaska police just north of Lake Livingston in Polk County. One then appeared behind a tree in front of Luttrell, who blew his head off, beginning a three-hour gunfight involving a barrage of AK-47 bullets from all sides. Also, one of our core promises to our "customers" is: "If we put you in, we'll take you out." In a suicidal bid to get back-up, Murphy moved himself to open ground, sitting on a rock to get satellite phone reception and call the Quick Reaction Force two mountain ranges away in Asadabad. WebLuttrell, the only survivor, suffered a number of fractures, a broken back, and multiple shrapnel wounds after three of the team members were killed. Honor, Courage, Commitment, the motto of the United States Navy, But Luttrell just couldn't stand that goats' milk. One of the bullets pierced his aorta, Marcus is now a Houston, Texas, U.S resident where he lives with his wife Melanie Juneau, his son Alex, and his daughter Addie. First Class Michael Russell, who was also asleep, and asked him to prep the aircraft while I found our flight lead pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Corey Goodnature, to start initial planning. ), Luttrell likes the film, but he won't watch it again. Rest in peace, brothers. Marcus has dealt with classic survivor's guilt and post-traumatic stress. All amazing men, fathers, husbands, sons, and friends taken from us way too soon. In response to Murphy's call, 16 men had whipped over in a Chinook, but as it came to land near the original drop-off point, one of Shah's men fired an RPG through the helicopter's open ramp. Luttrell has since said he bitterly regrets that decision, for it was to cost the lives of many. I wasn't sure how he would react to it, he explains. It was the most valiant act of sacrificial leadership I have ever witnessed. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). I was the designated QRF, or "Quick Reaction Force" platoon leader for this mission, so it made sense that I would lead the flight. At one point they burst into the house in which Luttrell was hiding and spent six hours kicking, punching and interrogating him. Everything seemed to be going according to plan. If he was going to ask his men to fly into the teeth of the enemy, he would be right there alongside them. "Ha!" Marcus Luttrell injuries: 1. https://www.afterburner.com/, Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. ", He was protected in that village for four days before, thanks to an emergency beacon he hung out of a window, the Air Force found him, but there can't ever have been a point where he fully trusted the situation. Pretty good," he says buoyantly. The SEALs were forced by the attackers into the northeast gorge of the Shuryek Valley side of Sawtalo Sar. I locked eyes with Russell, positioned at the back of the ramp, and we shared a look as they rolled away. Marcus is 46 years old. Gulab was told: "You will die. I still hear Mikey, every night. He'd trained me for this, but his mind was made up and he had his reasons. However, he was killed in April 2008 during a firefight with Pakistani police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. "Oh yes sir," he agrees. 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These are the men and women who, when the president asks in hushed tones if our nation has the capability to fly specially adapted helicopters into the darkest corners of the globe, raise their hands and volunteer for missions no one else will try. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Mike Copeland: Steak and Ale comeback; Paper plant progress; Bagby apartments; Gaines Booked Up, Elementary school music teacher leaves $6M to Baylor, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Lake on Waco Creek floated for park next to Floyd Casey development, Whizzbang's owner buys Health Camp with eye to preserving burger joint legacy, Fairfield may be built by Brackens, but it's supported by many parts, Waco Charter School to close after summer classes, Brice Cherry: Collen pushes all the right buttons in her best coaching performance yet, Giant solar project transforms landscape in southern Hill County. Lone Survivor was published a mere two years after his ordeal, and he sees the film as the end of that particular mission. Marcus Luttrell injuries: Broken back due to falling from the mountain. He had RPG and grenade fragments all over his body. His shoulder was torn out. His knees were destroyed. Pretty severe facial damage including a broken nose. He suffered a broken pelvis. He bit his tongue in half. Rigby, who is a steady and calming presence and today a member of the his family. Murphy ordered them to Fall back, which meant jumping off a mountain, hurling themselves down a sheer drop. Maj. Reich, however, felt otherwise. A photo of former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell dressed in traditional Afghan attire during his stay in the village of Sabray during the summer of 2005. Within a couple of hours, dozens of heavily armed Taliban fighters emerged on a hill. 'Did it hurt when you got shot?' Theyre mostly just dumb, brainwashed kids, stoned out of their minds. Verified. After regaining consciousness, Marcus evaded the pursuing enemy with the help of local Pashtun villagers including Mohammad Gulab, Eventually, Mohammad was sent as an emissary to the nearest U.S. base to secure Marcuss safe rescue and ultimately saved his life. It's not like you can just walk out and think this guy's good and introduce yourself, that doesn't work like that over there. Maj. Reich was a driven leader and pilot, just like when he played ball. definitely. His pen is dipped in the ink of allegory and he wont hesitate to tell his story. He married his wife called Melanie Juneau. In 2006, he was deployed to Ramadi during Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of SEAL Team Five. There were one or two frightening occasions when I heard it in broad daylight and found myself pressed against a wall, my hands covering my ears. Yet Luttrell, he claims, had dropped the subject. Murphy was shot in the stomach, Dietz in the hand. USSOCOM receives, reviews, coordinates and prioritizes all Defense Department plans that support the global campaign against terrorism. They named him Axe. Please subscribe to keep reading. You stay alive, Marcus. Luttrell has given the media enough of his soul over the past few years, promoting his book and, to some extent of late, the film, but nevertheless one feels obliged to tread carefully. I think he wanted to get out of there, and my house gave him an opportunity to do that.. "I have to come here twice a year just so I can walk correctly. His supplies, helmet and gear were ripped away from him as he backflipped, the others soon following suit in similar fashion, crashing through the boulders as Luttrell landed, breaking his back. Marcus Luttrell and injured pup share incredible stories of survival and gratitude. Luttrell was peering through his binoculars when the first one appeared from nowhere, jumping off a log above Luttrell and landing right in front of him. They were in a major ambush and were fighting for their lives. This was bad. "The actors did a great job, and I hope people go and watch it and it resonates with them. "But yes sir, it's winding down for me, and I'm thankful for that. We normally fly exclusively at night, using night vision goggles to maintain the element of surprise, and on this particular night, we'd been asked to insert a group of four U.S.Navy SEALS deep into enemy-held territory to collect valuable intelligence on a powerful militia leader in the Korangal Valley. He landed upside down in a hole. Please help me!" What injuries did marcus luttrell suffer? Luttrell, the only survivor, suffered a number of fractures, a broken back, and multiple shrapnel wounds after three of the team members were killed. During the firefight, members of SEAL Team 10 attempted to rescue their helicopter, but it was shot down, killing everyone on board. Luttrell sustained a slew of near-fatal injuries during his service, as well as experiencing the deaths of best friends and team-mates. WebPhoto of Marcus Luttrell taken by Mohammad Gulab during his stay in the village recovering from his injuries. On December 25, 2013, a film version starring Mark Wahlberg came out. This is true in business, but even more so in war. He went to the roadway, where he saw a car parked near his home. He finished the call with "Roger that, sir. This article first appeared in Esquire Weekly, our new iPad-only edition. 450 posts. And then they were gone. He married in 2010, and in 2011 his wife gave birth to their first child. The good Afghani people are caught up in the middle of it. At 1:20 p.m., about an hour after the Seals released the Afghans, dozens of Taliban members overwhelmed them. Also, he and his twin brother were present, at Perrys formal announcement on June 4, 2015. 800 pieces of evidence. They took fire from RPK machine guns, AK-47s, RPG-7s, as well as 82mm mortars. Christopher Scott Kyle ( Chris Kyle) was a United States Navy SEAL sniper born on April 8, 1974, in Odessa, Texas. Edmonds, who testified against Hernandez, was placed on felony probation for five years. 'Lokhay warkawal,' it's called a code of honour. In the American biographical war film titled Lone Survivor released in 2013, actor Mark Wahlberg portrayed Marcus. During the section of his book in which he describes his SEAL training, which includes Hell Week five days of no sleep and rigorous 20 hour days Luttrell quotes one of his superiors, who tells him that the human body can withstand almost anything it's the mind that needs to be conquered. Probably more than five days. He's had his house burnt down and a cousin killed. While there, he became a member of the Epsilon Zeta chapter of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. "So, I'm done.". He'd once looked at our standard Army-issued helicopter checklist, for example, and read the line: "When in doubt, take the most conservative route or action.". Marcus, a retired United States Navy SEAL started raining for the U.S. Navy SEALs at the age of 14. I crashed so hard once I got back.". ***MORE LONG READS:The Battle For The Internet's FutureKenneth Anger: Where The Bodies Are BuriedFacebook At 10: The Case For The Defence***, A Small Pre-Oscars Shout-Out To My Year of Dicks, How to Watch the Chris Rock Netflix Live Special, How to Watch All the Oscars Best Picture Nominees, 'The Gold': All the Hallmarks of a Crime Classic, How Esquire Enabled Me to Live Me to Live My Dream, The Hilarious Reason Why Chris Pine Cut His Hair, Chris Pine Tells All About Harry Styles SpitGate, Lone Survivor: What Really Happened During Operation Red Wings, ESQUIRE, PART OF THE HEARST UK FASHION & BEAUTY NETWORK. That's happened more times than I can even count. My SEAL training was the best thing that had happened to me. City officials are considering a new lake on Waco Creek as part of a park planned next to the former Floyd Casey Stadium site. A Waco appeals court upheld the animal cruelty conviction of the man who shot former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrells therapy dog, DASY (not pictured). Prior to commencing the operation, he'd looked at the maps and was disconcerted. "Absolutely. Hell Week was five days long, so I knew I could hang on for five days no matter how bad it got. Here, Luttrell is pictured in December with his new therapy dog, Rigby, acquired after DASY was killed. Marcus Luttrell Husband, Dad, Veteran & Advocate for Good People. Chris died on February 2, 2013, in Erath County, Texas at the age of 38. One of the things motivating Luttrell to keep himself alive during his ordeal was the determination to recount what had happened on that mountain, to inform the world of his teammates' bravery. I mean, I owe him a life debt. The two trained for the U.S. Navy SEALs together with others who aspired to join the U.S Navy and other special operations forces. Joshua Appel and Technical Sergeant Christopher Piercecchi of the United States Air Force Pararescue. He was in a body cast for about six months. Having been settled in one of the Pashtuns' houses, he was given some warm goats' milk. Mr Luttrell extolled the virtues of Navy SEALs, the best of the best, and Marcus wanted to be one from the age of 12. What he's seen, a film will never equal. The Gator Bees ofAmphibious Construction Battalion 2have embodied the motto of Navy Seabees for nearly 80 years, building What is the difference between the Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization programs recently developed vs. previous years? There's a lot of fascinating special operation history in the Netflix thriller "Lou," but going into details would reveal Jason McCarthy of goruck.com and Stew Smith discuss his journey to, through, and after Army Special Forces and being Copyright 2023 Military.com. Follow. "Right! ", Has the film helped him to move forward? Yes, all of the bodies of the SEALs who participated in Operation Redwings were recovered. ** Relative location of the bodies The day was June 28th He'd been drafted to play for the Baltimore Orioles organization but instead elected to serve his country while his peers went on to more lucrative careers in baseball and the sports entertainment industry. Mohammad Ismail alias Ahmad Shah, the target of Operation Red Wings survived the American operation. Animal cruelty conviction upheld for killer of Lone Survivor dog. Marcus earns an average salary of $77,395 per year. He never knew what really happened to Matt Axelson, so seeing that, he said, was tough. (Berg pieced together such information from after-action reports and autopsy reports. It took a while, Berg tells Esquire Weekly in a London hotel suite. It seemed like only a couple of hours since I'd put them in, but by God, I was going to get them out. "I like it," he quipped, "everything except the parts that involve you. Stuff like that. Your cousins will die. Marcus Luttrell was the only one of four SEALs to survive the battle with the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2005 - but the villager who saved him has called his version of 450 posts. Dietz was shot again, and continued firing as Luttrell dragged him to cover. They granted Marcus a medical retirement in 2009 through the Board for the Correction of Naval Records. The brotherhood never dies. Stew Smith and Jeff Nichols discuss the new testosterone to epitestosterone ratio (T/E) used at BUDS to deter use Abigail Spanberger spent almost a decade as a CIA operations officer. I briefed him on my plan, and Kristensen nodded in approval. He was living in a home that was almost like a mausoleum, it had a gravestone in the middle of the living-room with the names of all the soldiers who were killed, and pictures of all of them. "We're brothers," says Luttrell. The millions of ghosts of World War I remind us in unison of the cowardly actions of officers who sent men into battle miles away from their own relative comfort and safety, only to send wave after wave to their deaths, completely unfazed by the danger. Something else which kept him alive was the determination to tell the world of his teammates, to ensure their courage was fittingly commemorated. Chris won some commendations for acts of heroism and meritorious service in combat. Esquire participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Give us the American." Luttrell, the Houston native who co-wrote Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Red Wings and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10, was given a yellow Labrador puppy as part of his recuperation from war wounds suffered in Afghanistan in 2005. he inquired. Although they could not establish consistent communication, they communicated for a period long enough to indicate that they were under attack. Gulab contests that account, saying that when he found and rescued Luttrell he still had his combat load, 11 full magazines. Marcus Luttrell: Dealing with 'Lone Survivor' wounds - USA TODAY He's been fighting in wars since he was a kid. His twin brother Morgan is also a retired Navy SEAL who left the Navy with the rank of lieutenant Marcus won the Republican primary for Texass 8th congressional district on March 1, 2022. In 2010, Marcus established the Lone Survivor Foundation headquartered in Houston, Texas. The SEALs used PRC-148 MBITR (Multi Band Inter/Intra Team Radio) to make a number of attempts to contact their combat operations center. With declining enrollment in recent years, budget constraints ar, Engie North America on Wednesday dedicated the Sun Valley Solar and Battery Storage Project, a $350 million energy complex unlike anything in . But most importantly, he taught me that these beliefs were so deeply held, that he lived by them and was willing to die for them. I don't wanna come across as mean, but you already know the answers to these questions. He is a United States podcaster and former Navy SEA who has accumulated an estimated net worth of $5 million. It's 4:30pm in Florida when Marcus Luttrell calls. Five continents and 31 countries this year alone, he lives his life like a rolling stone. Indeed, his main protector, a man named Gulab, was threatened by the Taliban, who bow to the Pashtuns. Shoot them, get heard, have the villagers come to search for them, and face the wrath of the media and potential murder charges/jail; tie them up and leave them to die; or let them go and risk 'military suicide' as the goatherders alerted Ahmad Shah of their presence. Regardless of his buoyancy when he calls, I can't bring myself to have him go through it yet again, and I tell him so upfront. But he's not afraid. This podcast has become a beacon of hope and resilience to those who are facing the impossible. Now get off. 75 witnesses. ', Men of Honour: Luttrell, third from right, with his Navy SEAL team. A few years ago, I was a pilot and platoon leader in a Nightstalker helicopter unit in Bagram, Afghanistan, meaning I was legally and morally responsible for the safeguarding and employment of four aircraft and about 30 specially trained soldiers. Unbeknownst to Luttrell, yet more tragedy had befallen his team. With the SEALs boxed in, they needed to give up the higher ground. ", I was stunned. Containing 100 per cent new and original content, its published every Thursday on the Apple Newsstand. Navy SEALs refer to the U.S. Navys primary special operations force and a component of the Naval Special Warfare Command i.e The United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams. He's had 15 surgeries since he's been back, he's got a traumatic brain injury, he's still dealing with the effect of the concussions. He currently serves as the co-host of a podcast called Team Never Quit. This was my mission, I reasoned. He expected those around him to run fast, take chances and always look for an edge against the competition. Night Stalkers Don't Quit." Marcus was the only survivor where three of the four-team members were killed. Murph and the team were compromised; they need immediate support.". But he doesn't for one moment regret protecting Luttrell, and the two maintain a close friendship. Luttrell sustained a slew of near-fatal injuries during his service, as well as experiencing the deaths of best friends and team-mates. Down home, in our quiet backwoods area, it looks like an untroubled life. Finally he found a waterfall, and managed a few desperate gulps before once again he saw a group of Afghans facing him. Axe and Murphy were both shot in the chest, then Axe was shot in the head. The school was among the first 20 or so Texas charter schools formed in 1996. Marcus Luttrell, played in the film by Mark Wahlberg, describes how he survived his ordeal. Following his bands success of killing 19 SEALS and Nightstalkers in Operation Red Wings, Ahmed Shah fled to Pakistan. The video he produced that s These injuries ultimately led to his discharge. Although members of SEAL Team 10 attempted a rescue during the firefight, their helicopter was shot down and allaboard were killed. I ran over to my platoon sergeant, Sgt. In the 2013 American biographical war film titled Lone Survivor, actor Mark Wahlberg portrayed Marcus.The movie is based on the eponymous 2007 nonfiction book by Marcus. So his final lesson was not to waste your time living your life by principles and values you don't really believe in. They weighed up their options. "Because the last interview I did, the guy was asking me, 'What was it like to watch your teammates die?' An RPG smashed into a tree next to Luttrell, blowing him off the cliff. Up to that point, he'd had no respect for the people of Afghanistan. Alex was born on May 8, 2011. In June 2005, he received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions against Taliban fighters during Operation Red Wings in which Marcus was the lone survivor. However, he has not shared any information about his parents. He is a man of above-average stature. Your whole family will die. It would be easier to ask Marcus Luttrell which parts of his body were still left intact after Operation Red Wing. Marcus Luttrell injuries: 1. Bro "I'm a member of that village, and I'm a member of that family just like he's a member of my family now. Maj. Reich knew in his heart this would be one of the riskiest, most dangerous missions we'd flown in a long time. Back home, Luttrell was reunited with his family, who, thanks to erroneous media reports, had believed him dead. Then there was silence. Are you one of them? 'What I couldn't see was a place to hide,' wrote Luttrell in his book, regarding the rough, stony landscape. But it made an impression, the elementary school music teacher leaving . I wouldn't lay down and quit.". The only time Berg requested that Luttrell stay away from the production was during some of the gorier scenes. All he could do now was belly crawl. To put what just happened in perspective, that's a bit like New England Patriots QB Tom Brady under center on a crucial fourth down during the Super Bowl, reading the defense, and right before snapping the ball, Coach Bill Belichick calling timeout, running onto the field and saying, "Hey, Brady tell you what, how about you let me take this one? Not covered in the book or film is Luttrell's headstate during those four days in the village (Sabray). He told Luttrell to tell his wife Cindy Only Marcus Luttrell survived. They could have been better at counter-tracking. Unlike what some people have said, taking the goat herders along to complete the mission was not a Chris encourages his readers to also read Marcus book Lone Survivor. He also taught me that real leaders never ask their teams to do things they wouldn't be willing to do themselves. A reconnaissance mission to observe a village and locate Ahmad Shah, a fundamentalist leading a cell against coalition forces, it required a four-man team: Luttrell, Petty Officer and medic; Lieutenant Michael Murphy, in charge of the operation on the ground; Sonar Technician Second Class Petty Officer Matthew 'Axe' Axelson, an eagle-eyed sniper; and Gunner's Mate Second Class Danny Dietz, Jr, a communications officer and spotter. Marcus stands at the height of 6 ft 5 in ( Approx 1.96m). The best part of the WashPo article is the focus on the USAF rescue operation. Marcus had been shot six times with a .45-caliber pistol. Every week, retired Navy SEAL and Lone Survivor Marcus join his twin brother Morgan and his producer Andrew Brockenbush as they take their listers into the briefing room to chat with incredible guests sharing their greatest never quit stories. But it's different for me, obviously. But then, desperate and defeated, he lowered his gun. You can cancel at any time. Marcus Luttrell. Marcus Luttrell (born November 7, 1975) is a former United States Navy SEAL who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions in June 2005 against Taliban fighters during Operation Red Wings. Luttrell was a SO1 by the end of his eight-year career in the United States Navy. Without that training and that SEAL spirit, it's likely he wouldn't have made it. Flying with the United States Army's 160th SOAR (A), Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the "Nightstalkers," were some of the most exhilarating years of my professional Army career. In 2005, while on a reconnaissance mission in the Afghan mountains, 19 SEALs were ambushed and killed; Luttrell survived by sheer force of spirit, strength and luck, when, having been found half-dead by some Afghani villagers, he was taken in by them and protected from the Taliban. The decisive point is that point in time and/or space where the stakes for your team are highest and where advantage could swing wildly between friend and foe. They took fire from RPK machine guns, AK-47s, RPG-7s, as well I fell back on all of my training to get through all that I went through out there during that week. Marcus Luttrell says part of himself died on the Afghanistan mountain where his three Navy SEAL comrades perished in the ill-fated 2005 mission Operation Red Wings. But miraculously, as the film Lone Survivor (opening limited Wednesday, wide Jan. 10) depicts, an unconscious Luttrell was saved by an Afghan villager after crawling miles to safety. He's a West Point graduate, holds a master's of philosophy degree in military strategy and received his MBA from Harvard Business School. Their functions include conducting small-unit special operation missions in maritime, mountainous, arctic, urban, and jungle. And tell Cindy I love her.. As the rotors were turning and I was completing last-minute coordination with SEAL Commander Kristensen onboard the helicopter, Maj. Reich stepped on the aircraft and walked over to me like a major-league coach walking to the pitcher's mound. We waited for the sun to set, and under the cover of a moonless night, my crew and I flew the four SEALs deep into the Hindu Kush mountains. United States Navy SEALs are notorious for their quick, tactical interventions "That never happened. Luttrell was born in Houston in November 1975, and was raised on his parents horsefarm near Oklahoma. Heresy in the world of military aviation, but in his mind, we were hired to serve in America's premier helicopter force because of our professional judgment, not our ability to read a checklist. Here's what to know as Alex Murdaughs murder trial winds down. Half-dead, forced into trusting these people, let alone the Taliban surrounding the village and threatening them all, one can only imagine that extra layer of stress, not knowing what was around the corner at any given moment, or who might do what. Once hed regained consciousness, he evaded the Taliban with the held "Marcus, they got us good, man, he said. "I didn't have very much press for the film, we left all that up to the Hollywood people," he says. Shortly after beginning a four-mile trek in the sodden mud and freezing rain, Luttrell's fears were realised, as they became 'starkly silhouetted against a treeless mountain above a Taliban-occupied village,' the moon casting their shadows into the slope. Peter Berg, whose father was a marine in the Korean War, grew up idolosing Navy SEALs, and fought hard to convince Luttrell that he was the director to make the film (there were many offers on the table). We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. That, says Luttrell, was his breaking point. Dietz died in his arms. The four SEALs were attacked from three sides during the ambush of Operation Red Wings. It was definitely a tough pill to swallow when that village rescued me, because I'd tricked myself into thinking you had to watch all these guys and girls out there because they could potentially turn on you. He landed semi-conscious, breaking his nose. Furiously, and fruitlessly I might add, I pleaded my case to Reich. The fight continued as the Taliban descended on them. They are called upon to perform the toughest duties in the armed forces, and their actions directly affect the protection of America's freedom. Web737k Followers, 759 Following, 450 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Marcus Luttrell (@marcusluttrell) marcusluttrell. Marcus started training for the U.S. Navy SEALs with U.S. Army veteran Billy Shelton at the age of 14.