HQ$History - United States Special Operations Command

Operation RED WINGS
LT Michael P. Murphy,
leader of RED WINGS Special
Reconnaissance team
On the night of 27 June 2005, helicopters from the 160th
SOAR (A) inserted a four-man SEAL reconnaissance team onto a
high mountain ridgeline in the northern Afghan province of
Konar. The team was led by LT Michael Murphy, and included
HM2 Marcus Luttrell, GM2 Danny Dietz, and STG2 Matthew
Axelson. The mission was to observe enemy activity and provide
intelligence to support the insertion of additional SOF and conventional
forces the following night. The SEALs patrolled to their
observation point and established hide sites.
The next day, the SEALs were compromised when goat
herders wondered onto their position. Releasing the Afghans, the
SEALs moved and continued their mission. Later, a large armed
force of anti-coalition militia (ACM) attacked the SEALs from
three sides. While the other SEALs fought, GM2 Dietz tried to
radio for help, but the rugged terrain blocked communications.
Murphy attempted to maneuver his small element away from the
overwhelming force, but the enemy was too close and too numerous.
The SEALs retreated down a steep ravine. With few options,
LT Murphy stepped into the open in order to use his satellite
phone. Although severely wounded in the process, Murphy successfully
reported their situation to higher headquarters. Before help could arrive, Murphy,
Dietz, and Axelson were dead, and Luttrell, though wounded, was evading.
A quick reaction force flew to the area, but an enemy RPG shot down one of the MH-47s,
killing all eight SEALs and eight Chinook crewmen onboard. In the days following the shootdown,
SOF and coalition forces converged on the ridgeline and nearby valleys, searching for
survivors and recovering those that hadn’t. Luttrell was recovered alive from the village that
had sheltered him, and the remains of all 19 men that had died during this operation were also
recovered.
While the enemy activity in that area was disrupted, it was at tremendous cost. For his
heroism and sacrifice, LT Michael Murphy was posthumously presented the Medal of Honor,
the first awarded to a SEAL since Vietnam and also the first awarded for Operation Enduring
Freedom. HM2 Luttrell was presented a Navy Cross, and both GM2 Dietz and STG2 Axelson
were presented Navy Crosses posthumously.
of Kandaks. Finally, VALLEY FORGE ordered Operation VALLEY FORGE. ODAs from FOB
the FOBs to begin demobilizing the ASF at all of
its locations.
The CJSOTF established CMO and IO as
202, operating out of BAF, assumed the combat
advisory mission, partnering with Kandaks
throughout Afghanistan. The ODAs established
supporting lines of operation to VALLEY a permanent presence in RC North where U.S.
FORGE. It subsequently requested additional forces had been scarce since 2003: Konduz,
CA and PSYOPs units to promote infrastructure
development and train ANA units to do likewise.
USSOCOM approved these additions. Thus, 3rd
SFG (A) successfully established conditions for
Mazar-e Sharif, and Mainama. ODAs from FOB
202 also collocated with Kandaks in RCs West
and South. The CJSOTF employed six CAT-As
and six TPTs, twice the number of CA and
7th SFG (A) to complete the CJSOTF’s transition
PSYOP elements of previous rotations. It also
of mission tasks in the winter of 2006.
During 7th SFG (A)’s 2006 rotation, the
employed CSOF from five different countries.
Most of these elements continued to conduct DA
CJSOTF executed the remaining tasks of and SR; however, several also began executing
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