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Tony Cowden - CIA Operator's Real Life John Wick-Style Gunfight in a Warzone | SRS #72 Part 1

Shawn Ryan Show

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SRS is honored to bring Tony Cowden's story to the show. Tony is a former Green Beret and CIA contractor with an impeccable career having served in multiple combat deployments. In part one of this two-part series, we cover Tony's upbringing and how his father helped fuel his capacity for resourcefulness and an unmatched work ethic.

Tony recounts his experience in the "Red Cell" Program where he was tracking and surveilling assets on American soil and how he barely made it out of a sticky situation alive on the day of the September 11th, 2001 attacks. Don't miss the harrowing story of how Tony single-handedly held off wave after wave of attackers when he was cut off, alone and outnumbered in the streets of Iraq. 26 bodies of enemy combatants were recovered from this firefight.

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Tony Cowden Links:
Instagram - Instagram: tony_cowden_
Twitter - Twitter: TonyCowdenNC
Training - https://www.capableincorporated.com
Youtube Channel - @capableinc4861

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00:00 - Introduction
10:27 - Childhood
23:44 - Meeting his wife
33:51 - Father’s Army Career
40:21 - Joining the Army
53:43 - Being Arrested
1:18:30 - Red Cell
1:40:35 - Pursuit Deterrent Ammunition
1:45:05 - WMDs and Iraq
2:05:30 - Iraq Experience
2:10:05 - Washington
2:22:41 - Back to Iraq

20 Comments

@ShawnRyanShow Creator 3 years ago Pinned

This episode was released early on Patreon AD free, with the exception of Shawn’s personal reads. https://www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite The toll is $5 a month.
Supporting us on Patreon and Ad Rev is what enables us to produce the quality content that we have come to love. We strive for perfection with each and every one of these stories. Please enjoy the show!

@The_dude_channel 3 years ago

Dude honestly you just earned my respect by saying we’re free to monetize your content. I respect someone who is smart enough to realize it’s just free marketing for you.

@iamnolegend2519 3 years ago

1:52:30 my brother-in-law, served multiple tours in Afghanistan. The army had promised his interpreter that they would move his family here to the US. After his tours in Afghanistan, he lost his battle of PTSD and took his own life. After his death, my mother-in-law hounded the army and other agencies to get his interpreter over here. It took five years, but we got him here with his family. I feel like he is my brother, although I never really knew him before. After our government abandoned those who helped us in Afghanistan his mother and his brother, who was Afghani commando are still there as far as I know, they’re both still alive. It makes my blood boil that we left those we promise to help behind.

@hyvsan9425 34 minutes ago

Wild to come back to these episodes where people talk about drugs and drug dealing after hearing about Shawns past. Feel like his interest piques. I was in the game for 12 years too.

@lw3894 3 years ago

Last week I attempted suicide. Couldn’t find any purpose for myself and felt life was pointless and i was done. This podcast is what has helped me pick myself up and not stay down. Listening to dudes that have been through it and now stand tall on the other side gives me so much hope. Thank you brother, this pod means the world to some of us.
Stay strong

@Cpl_Clegg 3 years ago

When you hate the government so much it's easy to hate everyone who serves it, but Shawn brings the humanity back to the subject. Very much appreciated

@JohnD0ee 2 years ago

One thing I like is Shawn can literally sit there and trade experiences with the guest and relate to being at the same location but he holds that back and just listens.

@dimoivanov9673 3 years ago

26 kills in a single firefight and introducing cqb to cia dang this guy is a fucking legend.

@dg8994 2 years ago

The Mom flyswatter story made me smile. My mom broke off a hickory branch one day when I was about 10 and I snatched it away from her broke it into small pieces and threw at her feet.
When my dad got home I will never forget this confrontation. He grabbed me by the shirt pushed me up against a wall and said something I have held onto for over 60 years. “Boy I understand that she is your mom but mfer that’s my WIFE and I will end you if you ever disrespect her like this again!”
Trust me it took and until the day she died @86 years of age I always treated her with respect. Tragically I lost my dad shortly after this encounter but I never forgot that look in his eyes and the passion in his voice. He loved her, I’ve tried to always show my wife that same type of love.

@CliffCutts 2 years ago

I ran with Tony through the mountains of Utah. Even after 184 miles of running he comes up to me and is like, "i'm just bebopping along..." all smiles and laughs. His ability to do hard stuff and still smile is incredible.

@anthonymora7894 3 years ago

In case you’re wondering, he’s talking about the Smith-Mundt act of 1948. Barry Soetoro, along with his cohorts in congress, basically repealed it in 2012.

@RJ-sl3sw 3 years ago

I wish more Americans would watch your podcasts. They would learn more about what is going on in this world of ours. Tony Cowen is a true American hero and so are you.

@S0CD0C 1 year ago

“Do you think we’re the bad guys?” Is a question I’ve been asking for about 5 years now.

@lindadrake2496 3 years ago

My son was in the military for 22 year's. He has PTS . I keep telling him these podcasts will help him , relate to other's

@gabrielleal1014 3 years ago

I have accumulated so much extra respect for the military just by listening to these shows. I can't explain the appreciation and admiration I have developed listening to Shawn and all his guests. I suppose the best way I can think of comparing the feeling is like a kid looking up to a super hero. Thank you all so much for what you do and have done.

@millieatr 8 days ago

Great Video ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,This gentleman reminds me of the way Gene Hackman looked in 1967 in Bonnie & Clyde

@13thCP 3 years ago

When he is talking about realizing his buddy was dead, he kind of laughs but his eyes are so fucking sad. It makes me cry, remembering the 4 buddies we lost a Bucca in 05. You can tell that still hurts his soul on a level 99% of people will never understand. You, sir, are a true hero and my new role model. Thank you for everything you did.

@noke8678 3 years ago

Damn that statement got me 🥺 when he talked about how his mother felt knowing she would be leaving this world before her kids were ready. Before becoming a father I wouldn't have understood what he said. This guy is awesome 🙏

@RAKKAR7 2 years ago (edited)

Absolutely LOVE this show and what Mr. Ryan + crew stand for!! Discussing these men's lives and events are saving for posterity a history that ABSOLUTELY MUST be saved!! And, with the SRS response to other "creators" taking and reposting the SRS content stands as a TESTAMENT to their character!! Not only are they MORE THANK OK with it, but they took it 10 steps further by providing access to a SHIT TON of pre-made clips to make it EVEN EASIER!! Simply requesting a tag of the show on the clip!!

UTTERLY IMPRESSIVE!!!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO YOU, MR. RYAN AND THE ENTIRE WORKING CREW OF THE SRS!!!!!

@beekydogg 3 years ago

The humility of this man. Says he doesn’t want to follow some of these other fighters but goes on to describe a gun fight that changed how they trained new fighters.