Where was 12 Strong filmed?

Operational Detachment Alphas 595 (ODA 595) covertly arrived in Afghanistan. They are flown aboard an MH-47 Chinook by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). Their landing site is situated 40 miles south of Mazar-i Sharif, the fourth-largest Afghanistan city and a long-standing stronghold of the Taliban. Here, they meet with General Dostum (Navid Negahban), marking the start of their challenging mission.

The filming took place in Socorro, New Mexico. This small town, rich in history and culture, offers an economy rooted in cutting-edge technology. The oasis has served as a backdrop for several films, including "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (1974) and "Contact" (1997), where actress Jodie Foster stayed during filming.

The trails, which evolved into the significant highway, "Camino Real de Tierra Adentro" or "Royal Highway of the Interior Lands," reflect Socorro's historical significance. Its diverse landscapes and quaint charm make it an ideal location for filming, providing a believable representation of the rugged terrains of Afghanistan for 12 Strong.

Get to Socorro from Albuquerque via the I-25 S, the fastest route, typically taking just over an hour. There is also a public bus option, which will take approximately three hours to reach the destination.

The poignant scene where Sam (Michael Peña) and Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth) find respite in the mines. The tense atmosphere of war gives way to a quiet moment where they discuss their future strategy. Adding depth to his character, Captain Mitch shares his childhood memory, revealing that his father taught him how to ride horses - a skill crucial to their mission.

This captivating scene takes place in one of the central filming locations for the movie - the mines near Orogrande, New Mexico. The area, boasting over three thousand abandoned mines, offers a terrain strikingly similar to that of Afghanistan, adding authenticity to the film. Several years ago, Orogrande was a bustling hub of mining activity, with its population swelling into the thousands. A fifty-five-mile-long water pipe from the Sacramento River to the townsite is a testament to this past.

Today, these mines are abandoned but still fall under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management. Other land around Orogrande forms part of a military reservation controlled by Fort Bliss.

Getting to Orogrande can be a bit of an adventure due to its remote location and proximity to military reservations. From El Paso, Texas, you can take US-54 E towards Alamogordo and turn on the Orogrande exit. It's approximately a one-and-a-half-hour drive. However, before planning your visit, check with local authorities or the Bureau of Land Management for any restrictions or permissions needed.

Nelson (Chris Hemsworth) continues operations against the Taliban following Dostum's (Navid Negahban) departure. With his American team and the few remaining Afghan fighters, they encounter a large force of Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters, along with armored vehicles. ODA 595, re-joined by Diller (Michael Peña) and his element, uses air support to eliminate many fighters and most of the armor. However, they are discovered and attacked.

Alamogordo, New Mexico, with White Sands National Monument serving as the shooting location, provided the backdrop for this intense scene. The monument is an expanse of glistening white sands that covers 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dune field. Its great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand rise from the heart of the Tularosa Basin, offering one of the world's great natural wonders. The White Sands National Park preserves the unique dune field with the plants and animals that inhabit it.

Find the entrance to the park on Highway US-70. If you're coming from Alamogordo, head west on Highway US-70 toward Las Cruces. The visitor center is about 15 miles west of Alamogordo on the north side of the road. If heading east on Highway US-70, you should move towards Alamogordo.