Naval Special Warfare Honors Those Lost in Operation Red Wings

A ceremony was held at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado to mark the seventh anniversary of Operation Red Wings and honor the sailors and soldiers killed in the operation in Afghanistan, Navy officials said Friday.

“To the friends and family they left behind, Naval Special Warfare remains committed to your health and well being, it is our obligation to our teammates, we cannot let them down and we will always remember and they will always be with us,” Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus said.

The service was held Thursday at the Naval Special Warfare headquarters building in front of a tree and plaque dedicated to the 11 fallen Navy SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers who were killed east of Asadabad, Afghanistan in 2005.

Three members of a four-man Navy SEAL team were killed in a firefight during a reconnaissance mission in a mountain area.

The fourth SEAL, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class , survived, fighting and evading the enemy for several days before being rescued. He is now an author.

A group of eight sailors and eight soldiers called in as reinforcements were killed when their helicopter was shot down.

Family members of three of the fallen SEALs placed a wreath and bouquet at the memorial.

Jennifer Healy, sister of Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Daniel R. Healy, said it was an important day for her.

“Having NSW remember the fallen men of Operation Red Wings makes me feel closer to my brother; I know he is looking down on us today, smiling and wanting us to remember him and honor him,” she said.

– City News Service