Lt. (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y. Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson, 29, of Cupertino, Calif. Machinist Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Eric S. Patton, 22, of Boulder City, Nev. Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy, 36, of Exeter, N.H. Quartermaster 2nd Class (SEAL) James Suh, 28, of Deerfield Beach, Fla. Gunners Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny P. Dietz, 25, of Littleton, Colo. Chief Fire Controlman (SEAL) Jacques J. Fontan, 36, of New Orleans, La. According to Luttrell, Axelson had three full magazines left at that moment in time. In an article by Sean Naylor, Army Times senior correspondent, Navy Special Warfare Command spokesman Lieutenant Steve Ruh stated that with respect to making command decisions in the field, "Whether they're officer or enlisted, the senior guy ultimately has the ultimate authority." ANA and Coalition forces still are actively. In his condition, without assistance, he would probably have been killed or captured by the Taliban. Dehydrated, with a bullet wound to one leg, shrapnel embedded in both legs, three vertebrae cracked; the situation for Luttrell was grim. I crawled into the side of that mountain and covered myself with rocks, took mud and anything I could find, packed it into the open holes in my legs Then night came around. A quick reaction force finally launched, consisting of two MH-47 Special Operations Aircraft of the 160th, two conventional Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, and two AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. [52] This required a longer journey down the trails of the Shuryek valley to Matin, where he then hired a cab to drive the Pech road to Nangalam. [citation needed], Luttrell wrote a note and asked that it be taken to the American base at Asadabad. anything extra and your The Navy's summary of action of Operation Red Wings states that an MH-47 Chinook helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers aboard, was dispatched as part of an extraction mission to pull out the four embattled SEALs. So if youre wondering what hes like in person, well, hes a guy. From running him off the road to planting a grenade outside his daughters bedroom, wounding his daughter, the Taliban didnt quit. Its the story of all these men on the most courageous day of their lives. That being said, I read the book first, then saw the movie. Approximately 45 minutes into the fight, pinned down by overwhelming forces, Danny Dietz, the communications petty officer, sought open air to place a distress call back to the base. Night Stalkers (160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment): Its been fifteen years since 19 men were killed in what could easily be called the darkest day in the SEAL teams history. Just another Texas blowhard like Chris "I shot looters from the roof of the Superdome and knocked out Jesse Ventura" Kyle, who's made a post service career getting paid to tell anyone who will listen, books films, interviews, podcasts, you name it, about his time as a "silent" professional. [15] The operation was intended to disrupt the activities of local Taliban-aligned anti-coalition militias (ACM), thus contributing to regional stability and thereby facilitating the September 2005 parliamentary election for the National Assembly of Afghanistan. You could ask Luttrell what he learned from Operation Red Wings, what he would change, and whether he is happy with the choices he made that day but it all comes down to this: never quit. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. [49][50], The SEALs' firefight with Ahmad Shah's Taliban forces began along a high-elevation ridgeline called Sawtalo Sar[51] (whose highest peak is 2,830m (9,280ft)). By Lt Murphy not eliminating the two young Afghanis by tying them up and gagging them or killing them, I feel that he brought down the hell on his teams head. We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared Also the whole Afgan situation should have been avoided in the first place. Look, with all due respect, so what if it's not exactly true, but just 'loosely' true? The 4 SEALS members that were inserted and the Quick Reaction Force that were killed in the helicopter attack were from SEAL TEAM 10. Up to. Remembering Operation Red Wings: What Happened? Operation Red Wings (often incorrectly referred to as Operation Redwing or Operation Red Wing),[13] informally referred to as the Battle of Abbas Ghar, was a joint military operation conducted by the United States in the Pech District of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. [1], After the broken transmission from the SEAL team, their position and situation were unknown. [2][31] With the surrender of Najmudeen, ACM activity in the region dropped significantly. The firefight continued relentlessly as the overwhelming insurgents forced the SEALs deeper into a ravine. This reminds of of when Larry Wilson was killed. "[44], In the June 12, 2007 article "Survivor's book dishonors son's memory" by Michael Rothfeld in Newsday, Michael P. Murphy's father Dan claims that Lieutenant Murphy would never have considered executing unarmed civilians, let alone putting such a grave decision up for a vote (in reference to the purported vote of execution of unarmed locals). If someone says something that is not true, that person is a liar. Add in all the other ridiculous bits in the book, like out of four SEALs on a mountain recce, not *one* of them carried anything to tie up the goatherds, and you gotta wonder what kind of people just swallow this self-serving fable whole. R A Serna USAF. Many of the details regarding the Afghans who aided Luttrell were reported incorrectly in the American press during the days after the events occurred. Commander Erik S. Kristensen, was sent as part of an extraction mission to pull out the four embattled Navy SEALs. Luttrell's story is suspect at best. Extortion 17. Thank you Pew Pew for running this, lest we forget. It utilized special operations forces (SOF) units and assets, including members of the U.S. Navy SEALs and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) 160th Airborne Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR), for the opening phase of the operation. I'd rather the story be told with a few white lies than never having known about it at all. The first of these, Operation Spurs (named after the San Antonio Spurs basketball team), conducted in February 2005, took place in the Korangal Valley, in Kunar Province's Pech District. Even if it was a choice instead of an command. Read it, and then see if you want to make intelligent statements about our Spec Ops guys. When Murph made that call on his SAT phone a QRF quick reaction force team was sent. You'll now receive newsletters of our best articles on techniques, Even before deploying to Afghanistan 2/3's, intelligence officer Captain Scott Westerfield and his assistants had been tracking a small cell led by a man named Ahmad Shah, based on intelligence sent back by 3/3's intelligence officer. If you research operation red wings. gear. OPERATION RED WINGS began with an insertion of a four-man NAVSOF reconnaissance and surveillance team near the summit of Sawtalo Sar late in the night of 27 June 2005. [2][7][31], 3/3 tracked a number of known ACM groups they determined to be possibly seeking to fill the power void in the region. Pat Tillman, on the other hand, was also a safety for the football Cardinals and it was he, not Larry Wilson who was killed in action. There is staggering power to the sacrifice of the brotherhood. James W. Ponder III, 36, of Franklin, Tenn. Finally, after far too long, the American government assisted him in coming to the USA and he now lives with his family in Texas. He was shot in the back at one point, causing him to drop the transmitter. For the team to not find any dead combatants isnt unusual either because they have to be buried by sundown, so they will get the bodies fast. He passed away peacefully in 2020. After Axelsons death, Luttrell would say of Axelson that he fought the encroaching Taliban forces with a calm demeanor, methodically supplying suppressive fire and precise, surgical shots as required to defend their lives. His nephew would be murdered and the Taliban would attempt to murder Gulab in a number of ways. Ed's a photographer and the author of "Victory Point: Operation Red Wings and Whalers - The Marine Corps' Battle for Freedom in Afghanistan," as well as his latest, "The Final Mission . That there believes, there standards and their honor means more to them then any risk, or a whole lot of shit coming their way! I did not see that in Marcuss book. Due to his helping an American, Gulab was marked for death by the Taliban. They launched a well-organized, three-sided attack on the SEALs. [3] Official media reports from the military estimated the size of the Taliban force to be around 20 as well, while in the Medal of Honor citation for Murphy, the Navy cited 3040 enemies. SO2 Danny Dietz. 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Air Field, Ga. On 22 October 2007, President George W. Bush presented the parents of Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy the Medal of Honor for his actions on 28 June 2005. Purple Heart. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles, 33, of Shelbyville, Ind. Gratefully, local nationals came to his aid, carrying him to a nearby village where they kept him for three days. This first appeared in The Havok Journal on March 23, 2014. The Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community will forever remember June 28, 2005, and our special operators heroic efforts and sacrifices. I spent 3 years with a support team of Operation Enduring Freedom mostly at Bagram. [citation needed], Command and control was lost and neither visual nor radio contact could be established with the SEAL team. No AARs from missions before and after Red Wings, no HUMINT, SIGINT, or any other kind of INT corroborates the number of hostiles in Luttrell's story. Operation Red Wings Autopsy Report Compassable Randall always mooch his Christ's-thorn if Hadleigh is dioritic or probates hygienically. It felt so artificial and contrived. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. There was practically zero chance that such a poorly-planned operation could have succeeded. I'm sure areas of the Korengal are teeming with bad guys, but Sawtalo Sar? Luttrell vividly recalls the blood pouring from Murphs abdomen after Murph was shot in the stomach near the beginning of the firefight. They also had terrain advantage. His injuries were so traumatic that the Navy recommended a closed casket. Only two U.S. soldiers or Marines died in Kunar province in 2005 before Operation Red Wings. The fourth SEAL, Luttrell, was blasted over a ridge by a rocket-propelled grenade and was knocked unconscious. And then, the moment was forever lost: a Russian grenade launcher blew Luttrell out of the hollow and he never saw his teammate alive again. The attack helicopters heavyweight slowed the formations advance prompting the MH-47 to outrun their armored escort. Thanks! As a result, Ahmad Shah and his men left the region and regrouped in Pakistan. He called the operation Redwing, when it was actually called Red Wings, journalist Ed Darack said in his book, Victory Point. My recommendation would be to watch the film first, then read the book for the facts and the rest of this amazing story of survival and loss. Absolutely an amazing article, well written and timely. [1][27] The operation was presented to a number of Special Operations units working in the area for possible "buy in". They focus on PTSD, mTBI, and chronic pain. The team discovered two young sheepherders. Do you want the average person to support the military, or not? But i will tell you this! Marcus Luttrell writes the book Lone Survivor about Operation Red Wings. In my 14 years of Navy experience, I've never seen or heard of anything like that. Through intimidation, Shah was able to ascertain which house sheltered the wounded man and demanded that he be turned over. Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>. Learn the 3 most popular shooting stances & more. An MH-47 Chinook helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers aboard led by Lt. Shah was from a remote region in Nangarhar Province, which borders the south side of Kunar Province. He then gave him the note Luttrell had written. That is the literal definition of a liar. But before he could, he was shot in hand, the blast shattering his thumb. While one of the aircraft performed a number of "decoy drops" to mislead any enemy observers, the other inserted a four-man Navy SEAL reconnaissance and surveillance team via fast rope in a saddle between Sawtalo Sar and Gatigal Sar, a peak just to the south of Sawtalo Sar. Luttrell wrote about realizing there was no possible way to help his best friend because the enemy would surely kill him long before he reached Murphy. Very chilling. [2][27] Operations that 3/3 conducted based on this model proved successful in disrupting ACM activity. The MH-47 Chinook was escorted by heavily-armored Army attack helicopters. The operation would require a helicopter insertion of forces to cordon the area and search for Shah and his men. I dont think any seal post 911 has ever been mistaken as a quiet profesional! Ahmad Shah was known to be the HVT behind numerous attacks on American forces, although there were other HVTs with more blood on their hands and considered to be bigger fish. But no, they took a vote, like boy scouts, and it was up to our hero to make the call, which he then blames on CNN. Erik Samsel Kristensen (March 15, 1972 - June 28, 2005) was a Lieutenant commander of the United States Navy SEALs who was killed in action during Operation Red Wings. You would also have known that the 20 man who died trying to rescue them, did not care! Hes a medically retired SEAL, a husband, a father, a public speaker, a hunter, and the kind of guy youd expect to find in Texas. One of the villagers made his way to a Marine outpost with a note from Luttrell, and U.S. forces launched a massive operation that rescued him from enemy territory on July 2. The recent major motion picture "Lone Survivor" tells the story of Operation Red Wings, an ill-fated 2005 Navy SEAL reconnaissance operation in Afghanistan. An estimated 35 Taliban were also dead. In the end it doesnt really matter, Marcus knows the truth and he is the only one who has to live with himself and what he did or didnt do. Like any competent officer would pick a layup spot 10 feet off a goat trail so they get compromised by shepherds like a bunch of muppets. Luttrell became a SO1 by the end of his eight-year career in the United States Navy.. Luttrell co-hosts After Action, a TV show in which former special . The Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community will forever remember June 28, 2005, and our special operators' heroic efforts and sacrifices. Operation Red Wings was conceived by the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines (2/3) of the U.S. Marine Corps based on an operational model developed by 2/3's sister battalion, the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines (3/3), which had preceded the 2/3 in their combat deployment. . Being struck by the bullet caused him to drop both the phone and his rifle. But knowing that their warrior brothers were shot, surrounded, and severely wounded, the rescue team opted to directly enter the oncoming battle in hopes of landing on brutally hazardous terrain. 'Leave No Man Behind: The Untold Story of the Rangers' Unrelenting Search for Marcus Luttrell, the Navy SEAL Lone Survivor in Afghanistan' by Dr. Tony Brooks . [4] The team members were team leader Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1, based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Petty Officer Second Class Danny Dietz from SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2, based out of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Petty Officer Second Class Matthew G. Axelson from SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1; and Navy Hospital Corpsman Second Class Marcus Luttrell, of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1. I am a non-combat US Army Vet I LOVE our military. Type your email address and well send On June 28, 2005, the 4-man SEAL team was sent on a reconnaissance mission to locate an HVT (high-valuable target) at the unforgiving altitude of approximately 10,000 feet. ", "Topographic Map by Ed Darack used in Victory Point of Named Areas of Interest on Sawtalo Sar for Operation Red Wings", "OPERATION RED WINGS The (Mis)Information Aftermath", "Operation Red Wings, Operation Whalers, and the book, "Operation Red Wings June 28, 2005 (Medal of Honor Summary of Action)", "Bara bin Malek Front commander killed in Pakistani shootout", "Lt. Michael P. Murphy, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE", "Surviving SEAL tells story of deadly mission", "Barnidge: To Concord native, 'Lone Survivor' is far more than a movie", "UA Emergency Medicine Doc Rescued "Lone Survivor", Satellite image via Google Maps of location of Nangalam in Afghanistan, "U.S. military searches for missing SEAL", "About the artist: W. Stanley "Sandy" Proctor", "The Movie, Lone Survivor, Has a Local Tie to Tallahassee", "SEALs in bronze: Tallahassee artist memorializes 'Lone Survivor' warriors", "Afghanistan-Iraq War Memorial - Memorial Park - Cupertino, CA - Afghanistan-Iraq War Memorials", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Red_Wings&oldid=1142508364, Part of 4-Man SEAL team, killed in an ambush, Killed aboard the helicopter when it was shot down, Insurgent forces temporarily withdraw before returning three weeks later. Whatever. He was a major HVT for Operation Red Wings. And of course hero Marcus makes the tough call. If you would have researched it well you would have known that it where GOAT-herders in stead of SHEEP-herders there is a big difference. He evaded the enemy for nearly a day by traveling seven miles on foot. He calls himself a coward. However I have talked to trained military people Air Force PJs and they said they would have at least tied up the goat hearders. After the initial phases were completed, 2/3 could become the lead element. It is likely Luttrell would have been turned over to the Taliban had he descended into the Korangal instead of Shuryek. Those 3 fought their asses off. How many US soldiers have died that NOBODY knows but their brothers and family? [60] In April 2008, Shah was killed during a shootout with Pakistani police in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Bronze Star. Do not think they arent well trained. Im not so sure after we were there, we should have left, like we did. and extra gear. [71] In the Summary of Action related to the same citation, the Navy cites an "enemy force of more than 50 anti-coalition militia". Get Our Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets ($47 value - but FREE for a limited time). Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Team Leader Michael Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates. I have researched this well. Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan refused this request, stating that in order for Red Wings to be supported with Special Operations aviation the battalion would have to task the opening phases of the operation to Special Operations ground forces. This would pose a threat to their activities, some of which included attempting to aid a resurgent neo-Taliban and lumber smuggling. [24], 2/3 eventually abandoned this naming convention out of sensitivity to the local population, instead opting for using Dari names for animals,[2] including "Pil" (elephant)[25] and "Sorkh Khar" (red donkey). I couldnt put it down. And why you are closer to being a terrorist than a Soldier. "Operation Red Wings" Navy SEAL "Matthew Axelson" recovery 92,724 views Jan 21, 2016 460 Dislike Share Save Downrange Film 29K subscribers Anyone who claims Matthew Axelson was beheaded is a. That's how movies work. That's some serious badassery; that's a level of practically inhuman strength. He had to do this because the areas rocky structure blocked any transmission from his satellite phone. Of course, Murph kept going. Lone Survivor provided you just a small portion of the operation. U.S. Navy SEALs from SEAL Team 10 and SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 expressed interest.[1][2]. guns & In my opinion, calling those who tell the stories 'liars' is worse than making a white lie movie that makes you think about those who die to keep us free. [45], Since the SEAL reconnaissance and surveillance team had been ambushed, the focus of the operation immediately shifted from disrupting ACM activity to finding, aiding, and extracting the team members. The film shows Murphy deciding to expose himself to enemy fire to get a message to a waiting Quick Reaction Force and hopefully save as many of his men as possible. Looking up, he saw a turbaned man carrying an axe. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. Then theres the fact that the pain of survivors guilt cannot be understood unless it has been lived. When now-retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell saw MatthewAxelson alive for the last time the two men were hunkered down in a small hollow and Axelson was down to his handgun. Danny Dietz was shot at least fives times and continued to fight. And I don't care how pious these guys were, a reinforced company-sized element that was mauled the way Luttrell claims (at least 50% casualties) does not bury 40 bodies in a few hours (graves no one ever finds) and then vanishes with all their wounded. It was carried out from late-June to mid-July 2005 on the slopes of a mountain named Sawtalo Sar,[14] situated approximately 20 miles (32km) west of the provincial capital of Asadabad.