Recognizing the 20th Anniversary of Operation Red Wings

Floor Speech

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Mr. LUTTRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 20th anniversary of Operation Red Wings, a mission carried out by United States Navy SEALs and the Army 160th SOAR in June 2005 in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Operation Red Wings was intended to disrupt anticoalition militia activity in the Pech District of the Kunar Province. The primary target was a high-ranking Taliban leader named Ahmad Shah.

To carry out the operations, a four-man reconnaissance team was inserted into the rugged terrain under the cover of darkness. The team consisted of Lieutenant Michael Murphy, Petty Officer Matthew Axelson, Petty Officer Danny Dietz, and Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell. Their mission was to observe and confirm the presence of Ahmad Shah.

Unfortunately, the team's position was compromised by local goat herders. Faced with a difficult ethical decision, the SEALs let the herders go. Within hours, they were surrounded and ambushed by a large force of Taliban fighters.

Despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, the SEALs fought valiantly. Michael Murphy, despite being shot, moved into the open to get clear to make a call for backup. That call would cost him his life. Matthew Axelson and Danny Dietz perished shortly after.

A Quick Reaction Force from the 160th SOAR dispatched a Chinook helicopter to rescue the SEALs, but tragically the helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing all 16 men on board. In total, 19 Americans died in Operation Red Wings. It was one of the deadliest days in special warfare history.

The mission is not just a story of loss; it is a powerful testament to courage, brotherhood, and sacrifice.

The names of the men who lost their lives during Operation Red Wings are: Petty Officer Matthew G. Axelson, Petty Officer Danny Dietz, Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan, Staff Sergeant Shamus O. Goare, Chief Warrant Officer Corey Goodnature, Senior Chief Petty Officer Dan Healy, Sergeant Kip Jacoby, Lieutenant Commander Erik Kristensen, Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Lucas, Lieutenant Michael McGreevy, Sergeant First Class Marcus Muralles; Lieutenant Michael Murphy; Petty Officer Shane Patton, Master Sergeant James Ponder; Major Stephen Reich, Sergeant First Class Michael Russell, Chief Warrant Officer Chris Scherkenbach, Petty Officer James Suh, and Petty Officer Jeffrey Taylor.

Mr. Speaker, may blessings go out to the Gold Star families and friends on this day.

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