Left: United States Navy file photo of Navy SEALs operating in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From left to right, Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson, of Cupertino, Calif; Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Daniel R. Healy, of Exeter, N.H.; Quartermaster 2nd Class James Suh, of Deerfield Beach, Fla.; Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Marcus Luttrell; Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Shane Patton, of Boulder City, Nev.; and Lt. Michael P. Murphy, of Patchogue, N.Y. With the exception of Luttrell, all were killed June 28, 2005, by enemy forces while supporting Operation Red Wings.

Operation Red Wings, also known as the Battle of Abbas Ghar, was a pivotal and tragic military engagement in the ongoing war against terrorism. The true story behind Lone Survivor, a bestselling book and Hollywood film, is one of heroism, sacrifice, and survival in the face of tremendous adversity.

The operation, which took place in June 2005, aimed to disrupt the activities of local Taliban-aligned anti-coalition militias in the rugged, mountainous terrain of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. At the heart of the conflict was Ahmad Shah, a local warlord from Nangarhar Province with aspirations of becoming a regional leader within the Muslim fundamentalist movement. Known widely by his nom de guerre, Mohammad Ismail, Shah led a group that contributed extensively to the instability in the region, ultimately jeopardizing the first parliamentary elections since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001.

Operation Red Wings was a joint military effort, bringing together both conventional and special operations forces. The mission included four Navy SEALs, inserted into the mountains on a reconnaissance and surveillance mission to locate and eliminate Shah and his group. Led by Lt. Michael Murphy, the team consisted of Petty Officers Matthew Axelson, Danny Dietz, and Marcus Luttrell – the "lone survivor" – who later recounted the events in his book and the corresponding film.

The operation soon took a turn for the worse. While hiding in the mountainous terrain observing an enemy compound, the SEAL team was discovered by a group of local goat herders. Faced with the decision to either kill them or let them go, the team chose to spare their lives, knowing it could compromise their mission. Soon after, the team was ambushed by over 100 Taliban fighters. In the ensuing firefight, all four SEALs fought bravely, but were heavily outnumbered and outgunned. Despite their valiant efforts against the enemy onslaught, only Luttrell survived.

Luttrell managed to evade the enemy until he was discovered and protected by a local Pashtun tribesman named Mohammad Gulab, who adhered to the Pashtunwali code of honor, which required him to protect Luttrell from the Taliban, even at the risk of his own life and that of his tribe. Luttrell was ultimately rescued by U.S. forces six days after the initial ambush.

During the latter stages of the operation, a further tragedy occurred when a Chinook helicopter carrying 16 special operations personnel – eight Navy SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers – was sent as an immediate reaction force to extract the embattled SEAL team. The helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade, claiming the lives of all aboard.

In total, 19 U.S. servicemen lost their lives in Operation Red Wings, making it one of the deadliest engagements for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. However, the operation also underscored the importance of intelligence, coordination, and cooperation among U.S. and Afghan forces – focusing the nation's attention on the need for a reinvigorated strategy against the ever-evolving threats posed by non-state actors, such as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.