21st Anniversary of Operation Red Wings: Remembering the 19 American Heroes Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Today, June 28, 2026, marks the 21st Anniversary of Operation Red Wings, one of the most courageous—and costly—missions of Operation Enduring Freedom.
On June 28, 2005, four members of Naval Special Warfare were inserted into the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan to conduct a reconnaissance mission targeting a high-value Taliban leader. After being discovered by enemy forces, the team fought courageously while heavily outnumbered.
When a Quick Reaction Force launched aboard an MH-47 Chinook helicopter to rescue the team, the aircraft was struck by enemy fire and crashed, claiming the lives of all 16 service members aboard. Three members of the original four-man reconnaissance team also made the ultimate sacrifice during the battle. Marcus Luttrell was the lone survivor.
The events of that day later inspired The Lone Survivor book and motion picture, introducing millions of Americans to the extraordinary courage, brotherhood, and sacrifice displayed during Operation Red Wings.
Among those lost was LT Michael P. Murphy, who knowingly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to call for help for his teammates. For his extraordinary heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, becoming one of the most recognized heroes of the Global War on Terror.
Today we honor all 19 American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice and remember the families, friends, teammates, and fellow service members forever impacted by their loss.
🇺🇸 Please take a moment to reflect on these brave American HEROES who are gone but will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
United States Navy – Naval Special Warfare (Navy SEALs)
Name |
Age |
Action |
Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
LT Michael P. Murphy (Medal of Honor Recipient) |
29 |
Part of the four-man SEAL reconnaissance team; killed in an ambush |
Patchogue, New York |
STG2 (SEAL) Matthew Axelson |
29 |
Part of the four-man SEAL reconnaissance team; killed in an ambush |
Cupertino, California |
GM2 (SEAL) Danny Dietz |
25 |
Part of the four-man SEAL reconnaissance team; killed in an ambush |
Littleton, Colorado |
FCC (SEAL/SW) Jacques J. Fontan |
36 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
New Orleans, Louisiana |
ITCS (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy |
36 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Exeter, New Hampshire |
LCDR Erik S. Kristensen |
33 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
San Diego, California |
ET1 (SEAL) Jeffery A. Lucas |
33 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Corbett, Oregon |
LT Michael M. McGreevy Jr. |
30 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Portville, New York |
QM2 (SEAL) James E. Suh |
28 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Deerfield Beach, Florida |
HM1 (SEAL) Jeffrey S. Taylor |
30 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Midway, West Virginia |
MM2 (SEAL) Eric Shane Patton |
22 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Boulder City, Nevada |
United States Army – 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers)
Name |
Age |
Action |
Hometown |
SSG Shamus O. Goare |
29 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Danville, Ohio |
CWO3 Corey J. Goodnature |
35 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Clarks Grove, Minnesota |
SGT Kip A. Jacoby |
21 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Pompano Beach, Florida |
SFC Marcus V. Muralles |
33 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Shelbyville, Indiana |
MSG James J. Ponder III |
36 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Franklin, Tennessee |
MAJ Stephen C. Reich |
34 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Washington Depot, Connecticut |
SFC Michael L. Russell |
31 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Stafford, Virginia |
CWO4 Chris J. Scherkenbach |
40 |
Killed aboard the MH-47 Chinook helicopter after it was shot down |
Jacksonville, Florida |
Their courage, selflessness, and devotion to one another embody the very best of America. May we never forget their sacrifice, the families they left behind, or the freedoms they helped preserve.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13
We Remember. We Honor. We Will Never Forget.
#OperationRedWings #OperationRedWings21 #RememberOperationRedWings #NeverForget #NavySEALs #NavalSpecialWarfare #160thSOAR #NightStalkers #OperationEnduringFreedom #MarcusLuttrell #LoneSurvivor #MichaelMurphy #MedalOfHonor #HonorTheFallen #GoldStarFamilies #MilitaryHistory #AmericanHeroes #FreedomIsNotFree
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