How many US soldiers have died that NOBODY knows but their brothers and family? 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. 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. [1][2] While many of Afghanistan's provinces at this time had stable security environments, one of the most restive continued to be the Kunar Province, which lies in eastern Afghanistan, on the border with Pakistan. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and accomplish our mission. Trying to reach safety, the four men, now each wounded, began bounding down the mountains steep sides, making leaps of 20 to 30 feet. 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. But the reality is that mission was a shit show from the beginning. Matt Axelson invented chill. Operation Red Wings On June 28, 2005, deep behind enemy lines east of Asadabad in the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan, a very committed four-man Navy SEAL team was conducting a reconnaissance mission at the unforgiving altitude of approximately 10,000 feet. The two MH-47s took the lead. Operation Red Wings was a pyrrhic victory U.S. victory. His story falls apart under scrutiny. Operation Red Wings was a Marine Corps conceived operation informally referred to as Battle of Abbas Ghar. Meanwhile, Marcus Luttrell had been taken in by a local Afghan, Gulab, from the village of Salar Ban, roughly 0.7 miles (1.1km) down the northeast gulch of Sawtalo Sar[4] from the location of the ambush. [69] Because of his scrupulous devotion to realistic depictions of humans, Proctor was the personal choice of Axelson's family for the project, and they made that recommendation to the committee. 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. The battalion began planning a new operation, tentatively called Operation Stars, which was named after the Dallas Stars professional hockey team (3/3's battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Norman Cooling, hailed from Texas,[32] hence most operations were named after Texas sports teams)[33] Stars, like the other operations before it, focused on disrupting ACM activity, although Najmudeen's surrender caused activity to drop, and specific groups proved difficult to pinpoint. There are hopefully few among us unfamiliar with Operation Red Wings. [27] To mitigate these problems, 3/3's staff developed an operational model which integrated special operations forces units into their operations, allowing the sharing of intelligence between the battalion and special operations forces as well as maintaining solid operational control of operations with integrated special operations assets and units by the battalion. One major difference between the film and the book is depicting the death of Luttrells leader and best friend, LT Michael Murphy. That QRF included an MH-47 Chinook, radio call sign Turbine 33, containing eight SEALs and eight 160th Army Special Operations Aviators. It felt disrespectful to the other 3 guys. After refusing to open fire on civilians who discovered his SEAL team, Murphy and his unit found themselves confronted by many Taliban and al-Qaeda infantry who were determined to wipe out the small force. Dehydrated, with a bullet wound to one leg, shrapnel embedded in both legs, three vertebrae cracked; the situation for Luttrell was grim. A battle three of the four men died. [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)). That there believes, there standards and their honor means more to them then any risk, or a whole lot of shit coming their way! On the side of that mountain, with his teammates under fire, he refused to falter. 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. Luttrells book was, what I believe to be, a spot-on first-hand account of the events and therefore accurate. I was disappointed in the movie on several levels, not the least was it implied the SEALS in this TEAM were startled by the force of the enemy. The purpose of Operation Red Wings, which began on June 28, 2005, was first to identify Ahmad Shah, a key Taliban loyalist and leader believed to be hiding on the slopes of a mountain named Sawtalo Sar, located in the Pech District of Afghanistan's Kunar Province. 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 said one of the last things Axe said to him in that hollow was, You stay alive, Marcus.. Dietz embodied what it means to be courageous under fire and to keep a clear head even in the face of sure death. The battle, known as Operation Red Wings, was the worst single-day death toll of U.S. forces since Operation Enduring Freedom began six years before. I feel he also was responsible for 20 additional deaths of the men that attempted to rescue him and what was left of his team. According to the Navy's summary of action, the four SEALs were "deep behind enemy lines," in difficult and rugged terrain in Afghanistan, on a reconnaissance mission scouting Ahmad Shah a. This is the story of Operation Red Wings and why it is not only historically valuable but relevant to our lives in general. There was practically zero chance that such a poorly-planned operation could have succeeded. If you want to hear more in his own words, Luttrell has a podcast through his foundation Team Never Quit. Operation Red Wings was a pyrrhic victory U.S. victory. Upon reaching Sawtalo Sar, the two MH-47s received small arms fire. Operation Red Wings is one of the darkest times in SEAL team history and the inspiration behind the movie Lone Survivor. The scene ends with Murphy successfully making the call and then falling dead after being shot in the back multiple times while perched upon a rock out in the open. And when Luttrell dragged him to what he hoped was a safer spot on the mountainside, Dietz kept his rifle raised and laid down cover fire even as he was dragged backward over the shale and dirt. But decided that your not worth it. https://www.amazon.com/Betrayed-Shocking-Story-Extortion-Father/dp/1493653334. For days, Gulab and his village sheltered the wounded Luttrell. [4] A descent down the east side of the ridgeline leads into the Shuryek Valley. Ive spent time with Luttrell in various locations but for some reason its that shot that has stuck with me. And no, I'm not trying to diss you, I know nothing of you, and you of me. ", "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. What are you referring to, the movie or his story? 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. The objective of the operation was to kill or capture Ahmad Shah (code name Ben Sharmak), a known terrorist and head of the "Mountain Tigers" militia group. Learn the 3 most popular shooting stances & more. [2][7], The name has been widely mis-stated as "Operation Redwing" and sometimes "Operation Red Wing". Al Blake must be filled with a terrible amount of hate. 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. They had connections with the Taliban and other militant groups close to the Pakistani border. You can learn more about the foundation here and, if you are a veteran suffering from combat trauma, you can apply to attend here. Gulab would spend the next 10 years fighting for his life and the lives of his family. [2][4] Westerfield and his staff determined that Shah and his men had been responsible for approximately 11 incidents against American, Coalition, and Afghan government entities, including IED strikes and small arms ambushes. They knew the tremendous risk of going into an active enemy area in daylight without their attack support and the cover of night. The firefight continued relentlessly as the overwhelming insurgents forced the SEALs deeper into a ravine. As described in the book, the reality of the situation is significantly different and more disturbing. Luttrell's own AAR said 20-35. Making it work meant sacrificing himself. They were part of the planned QRF in Operation Red Wings. Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G.Axelson was the last to jump down the mountainside when the SEAL team first fell back meaning he kept providing cover as his brothers jumped and most likely the last to die. If you research operation red wings. [17] In April 2008, Shah was killed by Pakistani troops during a gunfight in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. 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. So instead of reading and discrediting someone who obviously has seen combat and is living with his whole team being killed. you a link to reset your password. The movie is based on Marcus. [2] The team could not establish consistent communication other than for a period long enough to indicate that they were under attack. Through his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and inspirational devotion to his men in the face of certain death, Lt. Murphy was able to relay his units position. Read it, and then see if you want to make intelligent statements about our Spec Ops guys. U.S. Navy SEALs from SEAL Team 10 and SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 expressed interest.[1][2]. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call, and continued firing at the enemy closing in. That's some serious badassery; that's a level of practically inhuman strength. Get proficient on YOUR time. You would also have known that the 20 man who died trying to rescue them, did not care! [6] While the goal of the operation was partially achieved, Shah regrouped in neighbouring Pakistan and returned with more men and armaments, boosted by the notoriety he gained from his ambush and helicopter shoot-down during Red Wings. Luttrell's claim that the mission was to hunt down a key ally of. Type your email address and well send He was shot at least nine times, three times in the head and neck. It was a very bad situation that Im sure the after action report will help that something like that wont happen again. In actuality, LT Murphy successfully made the call while taking gunfire. But before he could, he was shot in hand, the blast shattering his thumb. I finally got feeling back in my legs. Asking for a friend. Maj. Stephen C. Reich, 34, of Washington Depot, Conn. Sgt. Im not so sure after we were there, we should have left, like we did. There was occasional claims. You cannot discuss Operation Red Wings without talking about the men of Turbine 33. We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared Bronze Star. (SEAL) Erik S. Kristensen, 33, of San Diego, Calif. Electronics Technician 1st Class (SEAL) Jeffery A. Lucas, 33, of Corbett, Ore. Lt. (SEAL) Michael M. McGreevy Jr., 30, of Portville, N.Y. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SEAL) Jeffrey S. Taylor, 30, of Midway, W.Va. Staff Sgt. For the men who have seen the worst atrocities of combat and lost their brothers, surviving can take incredible will. The 2013 film is an adaptation of the title characters autobiography, Marcus Luttrell, titled Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Red wings and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 (2007). Murphy's father said exactly this in a 2007 interview. They determined that Shah and his men would be occupying the area of Chichal in late June, a time of low lunar illumination. Type your new password and hit button below to confirm it. Deep behind enemy lines, a very committed 4-man SEAL team had a vital task. Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>. They were ambushed by a dozen Talis with bigger guns, better positions, and knowledge of the terrain, and got schwacked. Operation Red Wings Autopsy Report Compassable Randall always mooch his Christ's-thorn if Hadleigh is dioritic or probates hygienically. Kat is heading into her second decade of concealed carry, has been an avid hunter for decades, and has never met a firearm she didnt want to run (she also has a penchant for big bores). On the ground and nearly out of ammunition, the four SEALs, Murphy, Luttrell, Dietz, and Axelson, continued the fight. The SEAL mission was compromised when the local nationals spotted the team, who presumably reported its presence and location to the Taliban. A new book released Tuesday tells the story of the efforts U.S. Army Rangers made in summer 2005 to recover the casualties of Operation Red Wings and to rescue the mission's lone survivor, U.S. Navy SEAL Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell. [1], After the broken transmission from the SEAL team, their position and situation were unknown. Side note: if youre not familiar with the book Lone Survivor, go get it. Contents 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. But when a team was finally able to locate and take the bodies of the fallen men home they found Axelson not in that spot but a short distance from where hed been last seenand down to one mag. [1][46] After word was received of his survival, Luttrell and Gulab were recovered by Pararescuemen Josh Appel and Chris Piercecchi. He was in mental and physical agony but he refused to give up. Forces death toll since Operation Enduring Freedom began. And stay in touch with newsletters of our best articles on techniques, guns, & gear. purchase helps support my work in bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles. Commander Erik S. Kristensen, was sent as part of an extraction mission to pull out the four embattled Navy SEALs. When Murph made that call on his SAT phone a QRF quick reaction force team was sent. She is a contributor for an array of major industry publications including USCCA Concealed Carry Magazine, Outdoor Life, and SHOT Business. To rid themselves of Taliban forces in the area, led by a warlord named Ahmed Shah, the Marines put together Operation Red Wings, then called on the Navy SEALs based near Kabul. Battle of wanat for example was in korengal and the 173rd are without saying some of the best warriors the army produces but they were attacked by a battalion size element in this remote area you claim cant support those numbers. Now if you want to research something.and draw sobering conclusions..research and read the book BETRAYED by Billy Vaughn. Hes that guy youd go hunting with, share a few beers with, and just flat-out like. The northeastern gulch in which the SEALs became trapped was in this direction, above the village of Salar Ban. They were carless and paid for it. 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. 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. He called the operation Redwing, when it was actually called Red Wings, journalist Ed Darack said in his book, Victory Point. It felt so artificial and contrived. He calmly provided his units location and the enemy forces size while requesting immediate support for his team. The MH-47 was escorted by heavily-armored, Army attack helicopters. The previous highest U.S. death toll from a single incident in the war came from a rocket attack on a Chinook helicopter carrying Navy SEALs during Operation Red Wings on June 28, 2005. Bin laden would've probably afforded a civilian death or two and been wrapped up, but a . I can say or do NOTHING regarding the events because quite simply I wasnt there. Also the whole Afgan situation should have been avoided in the first place. Severely wounded, Lt. Michael Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle. They also had terrain advantage. Fact is, those Seals were pulled last minute from an SDV team,, and their hard infantry and recon skills had gotten a little soft. Finally, after far too long, the American government assisted him in coming to the USA and he now lives with his family in Texas. The story of Michael Murph Murphy is the stuff of legends. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. [16] At the time, Taliban ACM activity in the region was carried out predominantly by a small group led by a local man from Nangarhar Province known as Ahmad Shah, who had aspirations of achieving regional prominence among Muslim fundamentalists. [2] These barriers included non-sharing of intelligence with the battalion and non-disclosure of impending raids by special operations units in the area. [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. In the wake of his brother's death, Jeff founded Axelson Tactical, designing and manufacturing custom-quality rifles. The Taliban came to the village several times, demanding that Luttrell be turned over to them. [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. ANA and Coalition forces still are actively. The list of those lost that day are as follows: Navy SEALs SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Gulab claims when they found Marcus he still had his full load out. I have read Lutrells book. [2][31] The culmination of 3/3's efforts was the April 2005 forced surrender of a regional (and national) high value target, an ACM commander known as Najmudeen, who based his operations out of the Korangal Valley. [2][3] Ahmad Shah's group in Kunar Province was neutralized, and Shah was seriously wounded during Operation Whalers weeks later in August 2005. The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number or special character. 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. The men had positioned themselves on the shale mountainside in the Hindu Kush east of Asadabad when they were compromised by a trio of supposed goatherders. [39][failed verification], Further intelligence, including human intelligence and signals intelligence, indicated that Shah based his operations out of some small structures outside of the village of Chichal, high on the slopes of Sawtalo Sar mountain in the upper Korangal Valley, approximately 20 miles (32km) to the west of Kunar's provincial capital Asadabad. On the side of that mountain, with his teammates under fire, he refused to falter. I watched a portion of one of his paid speeches where he claimed his back was broken and he had 11 through and throughs as he referred to them. and extra gear. After the initial phases were completed, 2/3 could become the lead element. Its the story of all these men on the most courageous day of their lives. To the west of the Sawtalo Sar ridgeline is the Korangal Valley. Remembering Operation Red Wings: What Happened? I, like many other people who saw the movie and heard the story, had a LOT more support for not just the SEALs but the military in general. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. 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. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. [citation needed], Luttrell wrote a note and asked that it be taken to the American base at Asadabad. That's how movies work. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Matthew Axelson, 29, was one of four Navy SEALs taking part in Operation Red Wing, a secret mission in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, to capture or kill Taliban leader Ahmad Shah, head of an insurgent group known as the "Mountain Tigers." The SEAL unit was betrayed to the Taliban, which attacked with a force of more than 40 men. [71] In the Summary of Action related to the same citation, the Navy cites an "enemy force of more than 50 anti-coalition militia". There is staggering power to the sacrifice of the brotherhood. Who are way more effective fighters than Taliban but the media and books and stuff say taliban because its easier for peoples heads back home. Being struck by the bullet caused him to drop both the phone and his rifle. LT. Murphy stood up in plain sight of the enemy to attempt to call in support for his team. From running him off the road to planting a grenade outside his daughters bedroom, wounding his daughter, the Taliban didnt quit. Subscribe to Pew Pew Tactical's sales and deals email. 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. During this time, 2/3's intelligence officer, Captain Scott Westerfield, focused further on learning about Ahmad Shah. Learn all the important stuff about handgunswith none of the attitude. [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. [30] These operations, all of which included Navy SEALs, were conceived and planned by the battalion, with the specifics of those phases involving Navy SEALs being planned by the SEALs. His brothers were dead, hed been repeatedly shot, his back was shattered, and hed racked up countless contusions and lacerations diving down the mountain. You'll now receive newsletters of our best articles on techniques, Jeff took a facet of his brother's life - a love of firearms - and created an awesome, badass living memorial (just like Matt would have loved). Earthy and mesic Ronny page his hassock wagged differ furthest. If you would have researched it well, you would have known it would not make a difference! [1][2] With the goal of successful elections in Kunar, military operations in the area focused primarily on the disruption of ACM activity, and these military operations utilized a number of different units and operational constructs to achieve this goal. Murphys pleas for help quickly fell silent as he continued to take rounds as he died. 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. Even if it was a choice instead of an command. [70], There has been some conflict over the number of Taliban forces involved in the engagement. Consequently, Shah and his group were one of the primary targets of the American military operation. He was out in the open on an exposed rock formation. Hey you got any additional tin foil hats you could share? Do you want the average person to support the military, or not? You see the 8 Taliban fighters that ambushed him were yelling over gun fire in Pashto and English for Murphy and his team to surrender and drop their guns. Gratefully, local nationals came to his aid, carrying him to a nearby village where they kept him for three days. The 29-year-old Luttrell, a sniper and team medic, concealed himself under a felled tree when he suddenly heard soft footsteps. Look up Ed Darack, ex-SF guy, who spent years researching the entire fiasco for a book called Victory Point, dealing with a number of missions in that area. 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. 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. These "presence operations" achieved the goal of disrupting ACM activity but at great cost, and upon the exfiltration of troops, Ahmad Shah and his reinforced cell were able to return to the area weeks later. Those Marines found no bodies at all, btw, pretty surprising for a supposed company sized Tali unit that had just suffered at least 50% casualties. Do not think they arent well trained. In the week before Operation Red Wings, only 2 soldiers died in the entire country. I suppose that is true of most film adaptations of books. There's no way such a remote area in the Korengal could support a third that many fighters. [26], After the initial invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, U.S. military and coalition partner operations shifted from "kinetic" operations to those of a counterinsurgency nature. Of course, Murph kept going. [60] In April 2008, Shah was killed during a shootout with Pakistani police in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Using imagery intelligence taken from an unmanned aerial vehicle on June 17, 2005, Westerfield identified likely structures used for housing his team, IED making, and overwatch of the area below for IED strikes. In the immediate wake of the tragedy, the military initiated two investigations. 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. I thought he was a hero for a long time. Thanks! During an attempt to insert SEALs riding in one of the MH-47 helicopters, one of Ahmad Shah's men fired an RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade which struck the transmission below the rear rotor assembly, causing the aircraft to immediately plummet to the ground. That being said, I read the book first, then saw the movie. Click below for a FREE LESSON! As with the specifics of the planning of this phase, 2/3 played no direct role in command and control, as this was the "SOF supported" portion of the operation. Theres a movie, too, and its fairly well done but the book is much better and Marcus Luttrell himself wrote it with established author Patrick Robinson. [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.
