[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1607-E1608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    OPERATION RED WINGS--AFGHANISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 26, 2005

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, on June 28, 2005, a U.S. Military MH-47D 
Chinook helicopter was hit by enemy fire and crashed near Asadabad, 
Afghanistan, killing 16 special operations forces operators on board. 
These special operations forces were attempting to rescue a 4-man SEAL 
special reconnaissance element which had come under heavy enemy fire. 
Three members of this SEAL team were killed by enemy fire as they tried 
to evade a vastly superior enemy force.
  The special operations forces were engaged in Operation Red Wings, an 
effort to defeat terrorists operating in Kunar province. The operation 
was part of a larger campaign by U.S. and Afghan forces to kill and 
capture fighters from hideouts in eastern Afghanistan.
  On behalf the United States Congress and its people--I extend my 
sincerest condolences to the families of these brave Navy SEALs and 
Army Special Operations Aviators. They need to know that the prayers of 
a nation are with them at this most difficult time.
  These men bravely and unselfishly answered the nation's call to 
defend freedom and protect America and its allies from terrorism. We 
want the families to know the deaths of their loved ones, their sons, 
brothers, husbands and fathers, will only strengthen our resolve for 
ultimate victory in the Global War on Terror.
  I would now like to pay tribute to those that paid the ultimate price 
for our freedom.

       Assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 160th Special 
     Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Air 
     Field, GA:
       Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare, 29, of Danville, OH.
       Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature, 35, of Clarks 
     Grove, MN.
       Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby, 21, of Pompano Beach, FL.
       Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles, 33, of Shelbyville, IN.
       Maj. Stephen C. Reich, 34, of Washington Depot, CN.
       Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell, 31, of Stafford, VA.
       Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach, 40, of 
     Jacksonville, FL.
       Assigned the Army's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 
     160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort 
     Campbell, KY:
       Master Sgt. James W. Ponder III, 36, of Franklin, TN.
       Assigned to SEAL Team Ten, Virginia Beach, VA:
       Chief Petty Officer Jacques J. Fontan, 36, of New Orleans, 
     LA.

[[Page E1608]]

       Lt. Cmdr. Erik S. Kristensen, 33, of San Diego, CA.
       Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffery A. Lucas, 33, of Corbett, 
     OR.
       Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey S. Taylor, 30, of Midway, 
     WV.
       Lt. Michael M. McGreevy, Jr., 30, of Portville, NY.
       Assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One, Pearl Harbor, 
     HI:
       Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel R. Healy, 36, of Exeter, 
     NH.
       Petty Officer 2nd Class James Suh, 28, of Deerfield Beach, 
     FL.
       Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric S. Patton, 22, of Boulder 
     City, NV.
       Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson, 29, Cupertino, 
     CA.
       Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, 29, Patchogue, NY.
       Assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two, Virginia Beach, 
     VA:
       Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz, 25, Littleton, CO.
       A grateful Nation salutes you.

                          ____________________