Real-life stories from the pilots involved in the incident
Another side of Operation Red Wing that no one knows about
Written by Joshua Skovlund on July 26, 2020
Translated and edited by Thepphong Chaiyaratthi on July 30, 2020.
As the sun sets behind the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan
On the evening of June 27, 2005, a US NAVY SEAL team
With four members walking up to an MH-47 Chinook helicopter piloted by a pilot.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matt Brady at Bagram Air Force Base.
The helicopter was ordered to carry a SEAL special reconnaissance (SR) unit.
Sent behind enemy lines in rugged terrain, Captain Brady knows that the four SEAL team members, Lt. Michael Murphy, Petty Officer 1st Class Danny Dietz, Petty Officer 1st Class Marcus Luttrell, and Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Axelson, have a tough mission ahead of them, and the Marines stationed in the area know that it is a dangerous area infested with Taliban insurgents.
Brady probably didn't know at the time that it would be the last time any soldier would
Bagram Air Base will see three of the four soldiers alive.
Mountains in Afghanistan and forests in the valleys where soldiers search.
The bodies of the three SEAL reconnaissance team members who died in the line of duty.
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR)
It is the famous aviation branch of the US Army. It is known as this aviation branch.
It is home to many world-class pilots who fly special forces.
Has entered and exited dangerous areas many times with advanced aircraft.
In terms of technology in the U.S. Army's aviation inventory, the Department of Aviation is known for its role
Received in the Battle of Mogadishu and assassination missions.
Osama bin Laden, but is respected in special operations circles.
With the courage that the pilots in this regiment have shown that is rarely seen
During the day because the type of mission must be secret.
The mission this time is to capture or kill Ahmad Shah, the Taliban leader.
The three-part mission consists of a four-man SEAL unit.
Entered the area on the first night and then brought the second SEAL unit into the area the following night to
Set up an isolation zone around Shah and the final section, 150 US Marines.
He will join the mission by setting up an interception position so that the SEAL team can attack Shah's base.
The Night Stalkers' job was to escort the SEAL team to the ridge, which was the location
With few landing options, the SEAL team had to rappel down using ropes.
Using the Fast Rope method to descend while the helicopter is flying above the trees.
This means that if the SEAL unit is faced with a problem, bringing the SEAL team out
Team members must be ejected using ropes, which is a time-consuming and dangerous method.
As he was driving the helicopter to the SEAL team drop point
Through his night vision goggles, Brady saw a speck of light on the mountain below. 
MH-47 Chinook helicopter of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
and KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft and refueling transport squadrons
The 152nd Marine Air Squadron conducts aerial refueling.
In Yuma Horizon 19 training
"The area we went to was a secluded part of the Hindu Kushna mountain range.
And at night, you won't see much."
"We weren't sure who they were at the time, but there was more activity than we expected,"
As the pilots climb to their final 1000 feet
The AC-130 crew, who were on patrol and observing the target area, radioed that
There was a necessity to abandon the position due to engine failure.
Brady knew that normally, if an observation aircraft had to abandon its position without backup aircraft, the mission would be aborted.
He asked the AC-130 crew for a final report on the four possible landing sites the Night Stalkers were aware of for the mission.
"We saw two men of fighting age, probably armed.
"Located at the northernmost landing zone," the crew reported, "at the main landing zone.
And the alternate landing site doesn't seem to pose any danger."
In the belief that the AC-130 would be able to return to its position in time
Brady decided to continue his mission. 
From left, Sergeant Carlos Pacheco, Master Sergeant Marcus V. Murales, Major Sam Sauer, Master Sergeant L.E. Shrods, and Master Sergeant Dan Bell during Operation Red Wings.
Upon entering the team launch point, the pilot raised the helicopter nose and maintained position.
As the helicopter descended, it became clearer where the landing point was.
The steeper slopes of the mountain make leveling more difficult because the helicopter's front rotor approaches the mountain faster than the aircraft's rear rotor.
"Maintain the left and right positions, maintain the front and back positions."
It was a voice over the internal radio from the helicopter engineer to Brady.
There are trees over 100 feet tall around Chinook, and they are very close.
Until the pilot has no room to move while descending.
"When you hear it coming from all four directions, everybody starts to get concerned," Brady said.
"That means you can't move in any direction without crashing the plane."
The pilot descends the aircraft to the point where the Chinook's front rotor
Just a few feet away from the tall trees surrounding the mountain that surrounds the aircraft.
The crew kicked the rope down and the SEAL team fast-roped them down.
When the crew chief was trying to pull up the rope
He found the rope tangled at the bottom after trying to pull it up.
On several occasions, the crew decided to cut the ropes the moment the Chinook went down.
Trying to keep the plane level, there is a chance that the enemy will hear the echo.
The two rotor blades are even more powerful. The SEAL team is trying their best.
To hide the rope and hide in the ridge from the enemy.
Even though it wasn't the best release of the operatives, the Night Stalkers
Their mission was accomplished, they climbed to the top and flew back.
He went to Jalalabad to join another SEAL team.
and be ready to wait as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF)
In case the SEAL recon team is discovered and requires assistance
In Jalalabad, Brady was called in by SEAL team leader Eric Christensen.
At the operations center, Christensen discusses the decision to cut the playoffs with Brady.
At the landing point and asked if it was possible for the Night Stalkers team to
Can go back and get the rope back 
A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from the 228th Aviation Regiment carries a soldier.
"So we're going to drop one soldier to the landing zone by hanging," Brady explained.
"Hanging a soldier from that height and in that terrain at night is a dangerous operation. When he lands, he has to grab a rope, hook it to himself, and be pulled back up. Having the helicopter stay in that position for that long would expose the landing site and potentially give the SEAL team a head start."
Christensen agreed with Brady's analysis, and after the SEALs had radioed
They came back and said that they would hide for about a day in their hiding spot.
Brady and Christensen took a break.
While walking along the ramp to the airport, the SEAL team leader said:
"What made you fly such an ugly helicopter?"
"It's not pretty, but it gets the job done," Brady retorted.
"It's like the Navy SEALs."
They shared a laugh with each other as they loaded the stuff.
Boarding for the return flight to Bagram
At the Bagram Operations Center, Major Stephen Rike hurriedly approaches Brady.
And asked why he didn't cancel the operation according to the regulations.
and flew back to base with the SEAL reconnaissance team afterwards
Where the AC-130 aircraft took off from their airspace
Brady said he expected the AC-130 to make the flight.
He left his position for a short while and the flight crew informed him that
No enemy presence was detected in the vicinity of the landing zone, he told Reich.
If the mission is postponed, it will allow the Shah to carry out terrorist acts.
His next, which may cause the villagers in that area to
Or even fellow US soldiers can be injured or killed.
“Good,” Brady recalled what Reich said. “I’m glad you’re in command.
"An air mission that is thoughtful and doesn't view the mission in black and white."
After that, they went to the lounge to get ready.
For the second part of the operation the following night 
Some members of the Night Stalkers are resting in their quarters.
While the Night Stalkers slept, the SEALs scouted
They were met with enemies that were several times larger in number and they fought.
And for a while the task force lost contact with them.
Brady's maintenance staff woke him up.
And said the SEAL recon team is facing problems.
And the Night Stalkers were ordered to bring a helicopter to bring them back.
"It's impossible," Brady replied, confused by the speed time.
Where the SEAL team was discovered by the enemy, "They had their own quick response team.
We are in different chains of command. It makes no sense at all."
But Brady knew and lived up to his promise to the Night Stalkers.
To the customers who have been using our services all along, "If we take you in,
We will stop at nothing to bring you back - even if it's technically possible.
It may be someone else's work."
Brady rushed to the operations center, where the 4th Special Warrant Officer was.
Chris Eicher is telling the task force commander that they
It would be best to wait until nightfall before sending in a rapid response team.
Because if they were sent in during the day, it would cause them more danger.
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment once lost a helicopter.
It was only daytime at that time.
They have a reason to be called Night Stalkers.
The commander explained that the ground commander had rejected the plan.
Gone and no longer wanting to wait
Brady ran to his platoon leader, Master Sergeant Mike Russell.
Who was sleeping and was updating the situation that was happening with
"Are you serious?" Russell said.
Russell immediately set to work, gathering his crew.
To prepare aircraft for missions 
Three Chinook helicopters from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment are parked on the runway.
In Bagram, Afghanistan
Back at the operations center, the commanders are busy searching.
The latest SEAL team location and calculations of each helicopter
How many soldiers can fly with them once they have the plan?
So the Night Stalkers team was sent.
As Brady walks toward the Chinook he will fly,
He noticed that the number on the back of the helicopter was 1-4-6.
Dubbed Turbine 33, Christensen and his SEAL team members
Waiting at the back of the plane, standing in a circle.
"Our plan of attack is that you will lead us to the higher ground.
As close as possible to the SEAL team
"Then we're gonna fight and we're gonna go down the hill," Brady recalled what Christensen said.
Because the SEAL team did not know the exact location of the SEAL reconnaissance team.
Christensen therefore believes that deploying their team to tactical advantage points
It seems to be the best choice.
"Put us down on higher ground and we'll go help our comrades."
Christensen tells Brady
SEAL teams operating in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom
From left to right: Matthew G. Axelson of Cupertino, California;
Daniel R. Healy of Exeter, New Hampshire; James Suh of Deerfield Beach, Florida; Marcus Luttrell, Eric S. Patton of Boulder City, Nevada; and Michael P. Murphy of Patchoek, New York. All of the men pictured here, except Luttrell, were killed in action on July 28, 2005, by enemy fire.
While supporting Operation Red Wings
As Brady climbs up Turbine 33 and begins to buckle himself
Reich then tapped him on the shoulder and asked what his plan was. Reich, who was assigned to command the second part of the operation, felt that the quick response unit was his responsibility.
"We seemed to argue for 30 minutes when we really only argued for 30 seconds," Brady recalled.
But Rike interrupted, "I really don't care, Matt." "You go out and take your stuff with you.
This is my mission."
Brady said he begged Reich at the time to at least let him go with him.
He was happy to serve as a gunner and provide reconnaissance.
"No, I want you to stay at the command center and take my position.
As an operational officer, I will monitor from here," Reich replied.
Brady was disappointed, but he followed orders and got out of the helicopter.
As he watched two Chinooks taxiing down the runway,
He locked eyes with his lieutenant, Russell.
"He has a professional and determined demeanor -
"It's like he's ready to fulfill his Night Stalker vow," Brady said.
He walked back into the command center to monitor the situation.
and supported by Bagram 
Matt Rogie, left, and Matt Brady have a fun conversation in the bagram.
Two Chinooks - Turbine 33 and Turbine 34 - carrying 16 SEAL soldiers each.
Including the pilots of the Night Stalkers team and their crew, flying to Jalalabad.
and travel to the last known location of the SEAL recon team.
They received information from Bagram about the number of people that could be on the helicopter.
And they can also fly at very high altitudes. They have to lead 8 SEALs.
Exit each helicopter before proceeding.
"There are many who still want to continue the mission," said the 3rd Class Special Warrant Officer.
Tim Graham recalls one of the pilots of the Turbine 34.
The plan was to fast rope the SEALs down to a ridge above their original landing spot. The Night Stalkers would circle back to Jalalabad to pick up the stranded SEALs.
While flying, the Night Stalkers flew past an Apache helicopter.
The Apache pilot contacted them to say that the Night Stalkers would be slowing down.
To enable Apache to assist in surveillance and support operations?
But not wanting to waste valuable time waiting for permission from the task force commander, the Night Stalkers continued their flight without the Apaches in pursuit.
Tim Graham standing in Bagram
When the SEAL team reached the drop point at Turbine 33, they lowered their altitude and then maintained their altitude.
Graham looks from Turbine 34 to Turbine 33 as the helicopter
The aft door is being lowered and the crew walks onto the aft door.
To survey the landing site below, Graham's helicopter flew to the right.
and dropped the SEAL team after Turbine 33 moved out to allow his ship to enter.
That was the moment Corporal Steven Smith, the engine engineer at the rear of Turbine 34,
A tail of smoke was seen coming out of the tree line towards Turbine 33. The rocket had flown through the tailgate.
The Chinook's nose and Turbine 33's nose exploded and slid sideways, initially maintaining altitude but the two rotor blades began to collide and the helicopter then rolled to its right before turning upside down as it plummeted.
The valley below
Smith and others looked at Turbine 33 helplessly.
While the Chinook, filled with pilots, crews and their comrades,
It crashed into a mountain and exploded into a ball of fire.
"Al and Kip were on the aft hatch when the RPG exploded," Smith said.
"They just went down with their friends like that," said a witness to the tragic event.
Crew members sit in the rear door of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter as it flies over southern Afghanistan on October 19, 2010.
Graham and his co-pilot steered the Chinook into a circle to search for survivors.
As they turned to return, Graham saw five Black Hawk helicopters.
While taking cover in a constellation-style maneuver, Turbine 34 began to receive heavy fire.
From the invisible enemy below, they took cover and flew beyond.
Enemy firing range
Graham reports the situation back to Bagram.
Brady could hardly believe his eyes when he was contacted.
He would have been on that helicopter if there had been no last-minute change.
He asked Graham to repeat it because he could not believe what he had just heard.
One of Brady's subordinates at the command center asked him a question.
But Brady froze in shock for a moment.
And the truth hit him in the face: He was now the commander.
Brady tells his subordinates to give him a moment
To gather more information for planning further operations.
He walked out of the command center and met Aisher.
"Chris, Turbine 33 just got shot down," he told Eicher.
The one who was nicknamed "Iceman"
Because of his always-calm attitude
Eicher looked at Brady and said,
"No, he probably landed the plane for repairs."
Brady confirmed the details, and he and Eicher rushed back to the command center.
Two Apache helicopters provided support and decoyed the enemy.
Change the target from firing at Turbine 34 to another point.
This allowed the Turbine 34 crew to go back and provide details.
About the helicopter crash area and the command center
"It looks like someone survived the helicopter crash," Graham said.
"You can only hope that someone survives, but it doesn't look good." 
Turbine 33 crash point
They climbed and then circled for about an hour.
Before the task force commander ordered the return flight to Jalalabad
Because they don't want to abandon their comrades.
The SEAL team leader then came up with a plan with the Night Stalkers.
To lead them to a higher point on the ridge and fight.
To descend to the drop point below at Turbine 34
Will be able to fly back to Jalalabad to pick up as many SEAL personnel as possible.
As much as possible and fly back to reinforce the remaining 8 SEALs.
The task force commander rejected this request and ordered Turbine 34
Back in Jalalabad, despite his anger and fury, Graham followed orders.
Smith said everyone on the Chinook was furious. One SEAL team member even pulled out a pistol to try to force the Chinook to land so they could help their friend, but to no avail.
Graham landed at the forward refueling and ammunition base.
(Forward Arming and Refueling Point - FARP) located on the outskirts of Jalalabad.
After landing, Graham saw the same five Black Hawks that had departed parked on the runway.
He didn't think much of it at the time, but years later he learned that
A new platoon commander arrived at the 160th Aviation Regiment with those Black Hawks.
Each Blackhawk has a Marine on board and flies out.
They were thought to be a quick response unit for the SEAL recon team.
When Turbine 33 was shot down, they were given new orders to return.
Along with Turbine 34 and Apache helicopters until the next section.
The mission will appear
The landing zone of a U.S. Army UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter.
After refueling, he continued his journey to Jalalabad.
and remove personnel from helicopters
"When I met him on the ground in Jalalabad, Graham was a little shaken," Brady recalled.
The task force commander summarizes the mission and then focuses on the next steps of planning.
Smith said he saw lines filled with armored vehicles and soldiers.
"I saw several armored vehicles with soldiers armed from head to toe."
Smith recalled, "They went out in armored convoys with a vengeance.
And they fought and they went up the mountain, up until the plane crashed."
The remaining Night Stalkers prepare for the rescue mission.
Members of the Navy SEAL team, Army Rangers and
Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)
They boarded five Chinooks, all angry, furious, and ready to go get their comrades back.
The Chinook helicopters flew toward the mountain again, but as they gained altitude,
They encountered terrible weather conditions, thunder and lightning all around them.
"The enemy is one factor, but the weather is a bigger factor.
And at that moment, it seemed that the power of nature began to gain strength.
"That's superior to the enemy's strength," Brady said.
Brady said the visibility was so bad he couldn't see the heat.
From the Chinook engines ahead, he gave the order to abort the mission.
And return to base again. It was a commanding statement for everyone on the mission.
Because everyone knows that the SEAL team members who are in the SEAL recon team are fighting for their lives.
And one of their helicopters and its crew was on fire next to a mountain.
Back in Jalalabad, commanders decided they had no choice.
In addition to waiting for better weather conditions and trying again the next night,
----------------------------------------------------------
As rescue teams search for the dead and survivors
As the storm raged, members of the task force
Those still haunted by the thought of their comrades on the mountain tried to close their eyes and sleep.
As the next night approached, the task force began to work on its plans.
To re-enter the dangerous ridge area, the Night Stalkers
They began preparing various military equipment on the Chinook and transporting the Rangers.
And the SEAL team traveled to the mountain again.
Upon reaching the target area, members of the task force
Then, we rappelled down using a fast-rope because the tree was very tall.
This makes rappelling require the full length of rope, approximately 90 feet.
Several soldiers suffered hand injuries from rappelling at such heights.
Even with the help of gloves
When everyone reached the ground, they began searching for the injured.
Survivors who may survive and find the device that stores secret information.
As the Night Stalkers fly back to Bagram
JSOC ground forces traveling in convoy
To the crash site, radio back to the task force that they had surveyed the area.
In detail, they found no survivors.
Members of JSOC and newly arrived reinforcements
Has begun work on recovering the bodies of those who died on duty and including
Secret equipment that cannot fall into the hands of the enemy
Then they used explosives to clear an area large enough for the Chinook.
Able to land when Chinook returns 
Bombs were used to clear trees.
Because the thickness of the tree was too thick to use an electric saw.
Special Warrant Officer Level 4 Matt Rogie arrives at Bagram.
Before the Night Stalkers arrived after delivering the recovery team
Matt was assigned to replace Eicher as senior flight leader.
He tried to learn as much as he could before he got on the plane.
and join the mission
Rogie met Eicher on the landing strip when he landed the Chinook upon returning from a mission.
"I'm glad you came, because I have no more energy left," Eicher told him.
The Night Stalkers flew back to their new landing spot the following night.
The weather took a turn for the worse as they were
Marines were evacuated from Chinook to increase security forces.
"I could see the grass below me being blown away by the rotors and 16 body bags lined up," Rogie recalled. "There was still heat smoke at the crash site. I could see the heat flames through my night vision goggles." 
Body bags containing the victims from Turbine 33 are placed before being transported back to Bagram.
Rangers and SEALs transport their dead comrades to a parked Chinook.
And they returned to Bagram with their brothers on the return flight.
There was silence. The loss was too much for everyone.
As the Night Stalkers approach Bagram, they can see
He went to the base and saw that everyone in the base was standing outside.
To show respect to those who have passed away
"When we landed, we saw lines of Night Stalkers, Rangers,
And the SEAL team stretched out as far as the eye could see, everyone lined up and ready to help.
"In sending the deceased to the crematorium," Brady recalled.
As the rear hatch opened, the Chinook Night Stalkers stood tall and proud.
Among the comrades who died, members of the special forces also boarded the plane.
and move the deceased with grief to the crematorium building
"We are all heartbroken," Roji said. 
A religious leader leads members of the task force carrying a coffin onto a C-17 aircraft.
A C-17 sits on the runway with its rear doors open, waiting to receive 16 coffins containing the dead. Brady stands beside the SEAL team commander - the pair were expected to serve as commanders in their respective divisions when Reich and Christensen died on Turbine 33. Their battle-worn faces are somber as they watch members of the task force load the 16 flag-draped coffins onto the C-17.
Brady said it was like the entire base was giving the dead a fitting farewell.
As the coffin was being loaded onto the plane, a SEAL team member ran up to the new SEAL commander and handed him a piece of paper. It said Marcus Luttrell was still alive in a nearby village.
The SEAL team commander was devastated and in tears when the good news was what he needed most.
The deceased members of the Night Stalkers team of the 160th SOAR Aviation Regiment included:
Sergeant Major Seamus O'Gordon
Special Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature
Sergeant Kip A. Jacoby
Sergeant Major Marcus V. Murales
Major Stephen C. Reich
Sergeant Major Michael L. Russell
Special Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach
Sergeant Major James W. Ponder III 
Soldiers and sailors from the special forces say their final farewells.
Members of the task force say their final farewells. The C-17 aircraft closes its tailgate, taxis to the runway, and then takes off. The fallen warriors are on their way home.
A C-17 takes off after a stopover in Germany, a necessary stopover for the flight back to the United States. Sixteen coffins draped in American flags are on the back of the plane.
: The brave Night Stalkers and members of the Seal Team from Turbine 33.
Children of all ages ran past the coffins, shouting and joking with each other, too young to understand the sacrifices the dead had made. A high-ranking Taliban member (High Value Target) (HVT) sat in a far corner, surrounded by soldiers.
There were also three battle-hardened soldiers on board, one of whom was a member of the SEAL team.
The other two are Night Stalkers team members Daniel Bell and Chris Eicher.
Sitting on the side, looking outside in a bad mood, they were tired and angry.
With the mistake the US Air Force made by letting the Taliban on board.
On this return flight back to the homeland 
Members of the special forces say their final farewells.
To the deceased before they are taken home to their final resting place.
The rescue operation known as Operation Red Wings 2
Continuing for another week, almost every part of the special operations unit
US military personnel have joined in the rescue operation to help survivors and casualties in the area.
The most dangerous place in Afghanistan
SEAL recon team member Marcus Luttrell is the only survivor.
From the initial four-man SEAL recon team
For the Night Stalkers team from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment,
The war on terror continues....
Source: https://coffeeordie.com/red-wings-night-stalkers/ ,
July 30, 2020