[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 25, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION RED WINGS

  (Mr. Luttrell of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  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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