| « | Latest reports indicate that American special forces have commenced operations in deep within Takistani borders... This is Joe Harris, AAN, speaking from Takmyr, capital of Takistan. Joe Harris reporting for AAN during the initial invasion of Takistan
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Joe Harris was a minor character in ArmA 2's Operation Arrowhead campaign.
Background[]
Employed as a journalist for the AAN News network, Harris was an experienced veteran of the news organisation.[1] He reported on the on-going situation in Takistan following the UN-mandated intervention into the country.[2]
2010[]
On October 1st, 2010[2], Harris reported on the sudden rebranding of Black Element, a U.S.-based private military company.[4]
The change was prompted after a series of controversial incidents involving several of the company's contractors in Chernarus as well as throughout the globe from Tajikistan to the Aleutian Islands.[4]
| « | What's clear is that Black Element are seeking to disassociate themselves from their stained history. 'Cowboys' isn't really the word; rather, these contractors considered themselves as knights, riding around the globe and thrusting their gauntlets into the faces of any who might dare to challenge them. | » |
Harris continued to follow developments on the PMC's subsequent rebranding to ION Services, Incorporated.[4] As regional tensions in neighbouring Takistan increased over the course of the next two years, Harris would report on the progress of ongoing investigations by UN weapons inspectors.[5]
Operation Arrowhead (2012)[]
He was present at the capital Takmyr when U.S. Army forces from Task Force Knight invaded via the coast during the early hours of the morning. Following the success of the invasion, Harris continued to report on the movements of coalition forces as they proceeded to advance west and northward towards the Takistani Army and militia-held regions of the country.[2][6]
The Loy Manara airbase in central Takistan was eventually captured by U.S. forces, and Harris; along with several other Non-Government Organisation aid workers, were ferried in via cargo plane to the newly secured outpost.[7]
While on its final landing approach, the plane is suddenly hit by surface-to-air missiles fired by unknown individuals and is brought crashing down into the militia-held valleys north of the airbase.[8] U.S. forces raced towards the crash site in the hopes of finding survivors[7] but were informed by anti-militia/anti-government rebels who had arrived first at the site that Harris and the others were already captured and had been taken away to another location by Takistani Army soldiers.[2][9]
Death[]
| « | Fuck... Citizen, Gambler, bad news, over. One KIA, identified as Joe Harris. No other hostages. Harris is found by a 1st SFOD-D team led by SFC Graves
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After a frantic search by coalition forces, they receive actionable intelligence that Harris and the others were taken away to an old coltan mine near the small city of Feruz Abad.[9] The task force quickly assembles and assaults the mine and surrounding area.[10] Unfortunately, as they were searching through the mining complex, Harris' corpse is later discovered by a 1st SFOD-D fireteam led by Sergeant First Class Terry Graves.[2][3][11]
Post-Operation Arrowhead[]
A journalism award for "Human Interest Writing" is named in Harris' legacy.[12]
Personality and Appearance[]
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He had a short, dark head of hair, and wore a t-shirt with the "Free Tibet" slogan emblazoned on it. The rest of his apparel consisted of a simple brown leather Press vest and faded blue jeans.
Trivia[]
- Harris is the only hostage out of the four survivors that does not retain a speaking role outside of the initial cutscene for the campaign. This is due to him already being dead by the time his would-be rescuers got to him.[3]
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Although his exact cause of death is unstated, it is presumed that he was tortured to death by the Takistani Army by the time SFC Graves discovers his corpse.
References[]
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