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Operation Red Wing was a failed counter-insurgent mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, involving...

Operation Red Wing was a failed counter-insurgent mission in Kunar province, Afghanistan, involving four members of the United States Navy SEALs , which took place on June 28, 2005. Three of the SEALs were killed during the initial operation, as were sixteen American Special Operations soldiers (SEALS and Nightstalkers) whose helicopter was shot down while flying to provide support to the team. It was the largest loss of life for American forces since the invasion began. Marcus Luttrell, the only surviving American soldier, was protected by local villagers who sent an emissary to the closest military base allowing a rescue team to locate the wounded SEAL. The SEAL team, led by Lt. Michael P. Murphy and consisting of petty officers Matthew Axelson, Danny Dietz and Marcus Luttrell, were on a mission to kill or capture Ahmad Shah, a Taliban leader who commanded a group of insurgents known as the "Mountain Tigers," west of Asadabad. After an initially successful infiltration, local goat herders stumbled upon the SEALs' hiding place. Unable to verify any hostile intent from the herders, Murphy asked the team what should be done with them. Axelson reportedly voted to kill the Afghans,