Philman was the United States Army Ranger who took part in the mission to capture terrorist mastermind Ibrahim Bin-Khalid at his compound in Yemen. Philman was in the lead chopper with Sergeant Eric Carter and other Army Rangers. As the chopper landed, he followed them from an abandoned village street to the northeast gate of Bin-Khalid's compound. At Carter's command, Philman breached the gate and proceeded inside, followed by Sergeant Grimes. As the other Rangers followed, they were attacked when Bin-Khalid's men fired at them from all directions. With the other rangers' assistance, Philman and Grimes made it to the southern end of the square and into the main building.