Operation Red Wing

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Operation Red Wing was a counterterrorism mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, involving four U.S. Navy SEAL members, which took place June 28th, 2005. Three of the SEALs were killed during the operation, whilst a fourth was protected by local villagers and was rescued by the US military. This story of the saved SEAL would later become the front page of Time Magazine's July cover, which featured the story, "How the Shepard Saved the SEAL." Between 100-200 Taliban and Al Qaida fighters were also killed during the operation.

In response to a call from the SEAL team leader, Lt. Michael P. Murphy, to Bagram Air Base, an MH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying 8 US Navy SEALs and 8 US Army commandos attempted to come to their rescue to provide extraction in the mountains of the Kunar province, Afghanistan. Crew from the escort attack helicopters sited the SEALs on the ground as putting up "an unbelievable firefight." The Chinook helicopter was struck down by what is believed to be a Rocket Propelled Grenade. The three SEALs remaining on the ground continued to fight off the Taliban, gravely wounded, illustrating epic heroism in protecting each other as their position was pushed back to lower ground.

On September 14th, 2006, Petty Officer 2nd class Danny P. Dietz and Petty Officer 2nd class Matthew G. Axelson were awarded the Navy Cross for "undaunted courage" and heroism.

This is strictly a separate operation from the Operation Redwing which was a series of thermonuclear and atomic weapons tests consisted of 17 detonations at Bikini and Eniwetok atolls, including the first airdrop by the U.S. of a thermonuclear weapon.

Sources:

http://www.navyseals.com/community/articles/article.cfm?id=10126

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/07/06/afghan.ids/index.html

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