marcus luttrell injuries photos marcus luttrell injuries photos

Now get off. Marcus Luttrell injuries: Broken back due to falling from the mountain. He had RPG and grenade fragments all over his body. His shoulder was torn out. His knees were destroyed. Pretty severe facial damage including a broken nose. He suffered a broken pelvis. He bit his tongue in half. Rigby, who is a steady and calming presence and today a member of the his family. They weighed up their options. During the firefight, Although they could not establish consistent communication, they communicated for a period long enough to indicate that they were under attack. On December 25, 2013, a film version starring Mark Wahlberg came out. Luttrell was understandably apprehensive about what Hollywood might do with his story, and spent substantial time sizing up Berg, initially meeting him back in 2007. We waited for the sun to set, and under the cover of a moonless night, my crew and I flew the four SEALs deep into the Hindu Kush mountains. Chris encourages his readers to also read Marcus book Lone Survivor. Theres nothing heroic about suicide bombers. I play it all over in my head a million times, going through it in real life," he says. ", How's it all going? Judge OKs autopsy finding as testimony starts in retrial of ex-Waco day care owner, Olympic-winning pole vaulter, pastor Bob Richards dies at 97, Man ejected from motorcycle in Waco dies Saturday night, Big stage doesn't faze La Vega girls, who believe they're more than ready, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza, Greece train crash: Public anger grows as death toll rises. From landing zone selection to reconnaissance and firepower requests, we wanted to give Michael Murphy, Marcus Luttrell, Danny Dietz and Matt Axelson every advantage possible. They show you kindness in the beginning, then you turn to walk away and they're shooting a gun at you. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. All he could do now was belly crawl. A reconnaissance mission to observe a village and locate Ahmad Shah, a fundamentalist leading a cell against coalition forces, it required a four-man team: Luttrell, Petty Officer and medic; Lieutenant Michael Murphy, in charge of the operation on the ground; Sonar Technician Second Class Petty Officer Matthew 'Axe' Axelson, an eagle-eyed sniper; and Gunner's Mate Second Class Danny Dietz, Jr, a communications officer and spotter. While there, he became a member of the Epsilon Zeta chapter of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. But it made an impression, the elementary school music teacher leaving . They insisted they weren't Taliban, and were unarmed. "That never happened. To hear Marcus Luttrell tell his unbelievable story of survival -- in his own words -- is nothing short of life-changing. "My guys are dying out here we need help," he pleaded. Five continents and 31 countries this year alone, he lives his life like a rolling stone. In 2007 his memoir of the events, Lone Survivor, was published, and director Peter Berg's cinematic adaptation has just been released in the UK. "We didn't talk about it in the book, you don't see it in the movie, and it's kind of crazy that you picked up on that. Luttrell named the dog DASY, an acronym he created out of the names of his four-member reconnaissance team, of which he was the sole survivor. If you read the after-action report and the book Lone Survivor you find out your question is not supported by the facts. PO2 Luttrell stated out Their functions include conducting small-unit special operation missions in maritime, mountainous, arctic, urban, and jungle. Dietz died in his arms. One of the things motivating Luttrell to keep himself alive during his ordeal was the determination to recount what had happened on that mountain, to inform the world of his teammates' bravery. Also, one of our core promises to our "customers" is: "If we put you in, we'll take you out." Peter Berg, whose father was a marine in the Korean War, grew up idolosing Navy SEALs, and fought hard to convince Luttrell that he was the director to make the film (there were many offers on the table). Maj. Reich was a driven leader and pilot, just like when he played ball. The civilians he had spared, Luttrell believed, had betrayed them. It's the point where the morale of your team could turn on a dime and where all of the uncertain variables of your situation congregate to foil even the best-laid plans. You can cancel at any time. he inquired. All amazing men, fathers, husbands, sons, and friends taken from us way too soon. With declining enrollment in recent years, budget constraints ar, Engie North America on Wednesday dedicated the Sun Valley Solar and Battery Storage Project, a $350 million energy complex unlike anything in . They named him Axe. Luttrell spun his rifle at the goatherder while Axe took aim from another angle. Through his selfless actions, Maj. Reich taught me many things that day. "I have to come here twice a year just so I can walk correctly. They are called upon to perform the toughest duties in the armed forces, and their actions directly affect the protection of America's freedom. Heard on Weekend Edition Sunday. He was very concerned that whatever filmmaker he ended up giving the rights to would listen to him, and would do the work that he felt was needed to learn about that culture.. Also, they used an Iridium satellite phone. ***MORE LONG READS:The Battle For The Internet's FutureKenneth Anger: Where The Bodies Are BuriedFacebook At 10: The Case For The Defence***, A Small Pre-Oscars Shout-Out To My Year of Dicks, How to Watch the Chris Rock Netflix Live Special, How to Watch All the Oscars Best Picture Nominees, 'The Gold': All the Hallmarks of a Crime Classic, How Esquire Enabled Me to Live Me to Live My Dream, The Hilarious Reason Why Chris Pine Cut His Hair, Chris Pine Tells All About Harry Styles SpitGate, Lone Survivor: What Really Happened During Operation Red Wings, ESQUIRE, PART OF THE HEARST UK FASHION & BEAUTY NETWORK. Luttrell sustained a slew of near-fatal injuries during his service, as well as experiencing the deaths of best friends and team-mates. Reich's final lesson urged us all to find those beliefs that drive you, that wake you up in the middle of the night crying, that you'd be willing to go to the ends of the Earth for. WebPhoto of Marcus Luttrell taken by Mohammad Gulab during his stay in the village recovering from his injuries. Luttrell hurried to get in his truck and called police. I crashed so hard once I got back.". He grabbed his rifle as one of them yelled at him, and he flicked off the safety catch. He blessed the film, he said it was very accurate, says Berg, and he said it wasn't traumatising for him because he really went through it. He married his wife called Melanie Juneau. Team Never Quit is a humorous, heartfelt, and entertaining podcast that changes lives. He never set foot in Waco before attending Baylor, and never returned. Everything seemed to be going according to plan. His twin brother Morgan is also a retired Navy SEAL who left the Navy with the rank of lieutenant Marcus won the Republican primary for Texass 8th congressional district on March 1, 2022. Sound Like You? It took a while, Berg tells Esquire Weekly in a London hotel suite. Billy lived near Marcus home. Following his bands success of killing 19 SEALS and Nightstalkers in Operation Red Wings, Ahmed Shah fled to Pakistan. The video he produced that s They were still being fired at as they continued to defend. The two trained for the U.S. Navy SEALs together with others who aspired to join the U.S Navy and other special operations forces. We didn't only talk about the story, we went out, hung out, ran around town, remembers Berg. Under cover of darkness on June 27, an MH-47 Chinook dropped them off on a ridge near the Sawtalo Sar mountain. While Gulab returned to Afghanistan, Lone Survivor became a blockbuster, earning over $200 million globally. "I like it," he quipped, "everything except the parts that involve you. Luttrell was presumed to have been a 20th victim, but in spite of bullet wounds, a broken back and rocks and shrapnel protruding from his legs, the SEAL I locked eyes with Russell, positioned at the back of the ramp, and we shared a look as they rolled away. Leaders eat last -- meaning, if you're going to run out of food and some of your troops will go hungry, you should be among the hungry. Indeed, his main protector, a man named Gulab, was threatened by the Taliban, who bow to the Pashtuns. '", He's on good form, happy to discuss how he's doing and how he's moving forward. Eternal Father, faithful friend, Be quick to answer those we send, In brotherhood and urgent trust, You have permission to edit this article. Up to that point, he'd had no respect for the people of Afghanistan. Along with Matt Axelson, Danny Dietz and Michael Murphy, we lost 19 Americans that morning and, at that point, the most special operations soldiers and sailors in a single mission since World War II. Marcus trusted them to help spread the word and teach our actors.. ", Luttrell alongside Lone Survivor director Peter Berg and star Mark Wahlberg. The couple has a son called Alex who was named after fallen SEAL comrade Matthew Axelson. He'd been drafted to play for the Baltimore Orioles organization but instead elected to serve his country while his peers went on to more lucrative careers in baseball and the sports entertainment industry. Marcus has dealt with classic survivor's guilt and post-traumatic stress. A great help is a white Labrador service dog, Mr. This was bad. Alex was born on May 8, 2011. With the SEALs boxed in, they needed to give up the higher ground. He was born on November 7, 1975, in Houston, Texas, United States of America. Until we meet again. Murph and the team were compromised; they need immediate support.". I've been down here for 20 days," he says. It would be easier to ask Marcus Luttrell which parts of his body were still left intact after Operation Red Wing. Marcus Luttrell injuries: 1. Bro After Action airs on TheBlaze. The SEALs used PRC-148 MBITR (Multi Band Inter/Intra Team Radio) to make a number of attempts to contact their combat operations center. The executive producer of the show is Glenn Beck. Real-Life Lone Survivor Rescues Injured Dog from Roadside Ditch Marcus Luttrell and injured pup share incredible stories of survival and gratitude. Esquire participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. But most importantly, he taught me that these beliefs were so deeply held, that he lived by them and was willing to die for them. Why I Was Kicked Off 'Lone Survivor' Rescue Team, Paris Davis, Black Green Beret in Vietnam, Finally Awarded Medal of Honor at White House, Veterans and Others Who Helped in Afghanistan Evacuation Honored at White House, Hawaii Congressional Delegation Asks IRS to Exempt Red Hill Families, Navy Seabee Battalion Honored in Decommissioning Ceremony, Is Deactivated After 80 Years of Building and Fighting. It was the most valiant act of sacrificial leadership I have ever witnessed. "Ha!" His trousers had been ripped clean off. 'The screaming had stopped. ', Men of Honour: Luttrell, third from right, with his Navy SEAL team. He didn't know it at the time, but they were Pashtuns, the world's oldest living tribal group and, deciding to take him in, would now fight to the death to protect him. I mean, I owe him a life debt. USSOCOM receives, reviews, coordinates and prioritizes all Defense Department plans that support the global campaign against terrorism. Luttrell also suffered a torn shoulder, a broken nose, and is still dealing with the effects of the bacteria that was in the water that he ingested as he tried to quench his Finally he found a waterfall, and managed a few desperate gulps before once again he saw a group of Afghans facing him. After regaining consciousness, Marcus evaded the pursuing enemy with the help of local Pashtun villagers including Mohammad Gulab, Eventually, Mohammad was sent as an emissary to the nearest U.S. base to secure Marcuss safe rescue and ultimately saved his life. If a leader is to have any influence at all, it is here. They weren't Taliban, they told him, showed him they were unarmed, gave him water, and tended to his wounds. But yes sir, I have a great understanding now, and I try to tell people a lot of people think we're at war with Afghanistan, but we're not, we're at war with the Taliban. Until I got out of there. 75 witnesses. That's when I realised the sacrifices they made.". Come on. This is true in business, but even more so in war. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. I briefed him on my plan, and Kristensen nodded in approval. Hell Week was five days long, so I knew I could hang on for five days no matter how bad it got. Reich, along with Goodnature, Russell, Shamus Goare, Kip Jacoby, Marcus Muralles, Tre Ponder, and Chris Scherkenbach along with Navy SEALs Kristensen, Jacques Fontan, Dan Healy, Jeff Lucas, Michael McGreevy, Shane Patton, James Suh and Jeff Taylor were shot down while attempting an insertion near Marcus Luttrell and Killed In Action. The best part of the WashPo article is the focus on the USAF rescue operation. The couple married each other on November 27, 2010, in Texas. I ask him how his experience with them changed the way he saw the world. I ran over to my platoon sergeant, Sgt. In a suicidal bid to get back-up, Murphy moved himself to open ground, sitting on a rock to get satellite phone reception and call the Quick Reaction Force two mountain ranges away in Asadabad. Follow. Pretty good," he says buoyantly. Marcus Luttrell, played in the film by Mark Wahlberg, describes how he survived his ordeal. He received a medical discharge from the Navy in 2007. ), Luttrell likes the film, but he won't watch it again. On August 26, 2012, the couple welcomed their daughter Addie. Marcus Luttrell did not run out of ammo In the book, Lone Survivor, Luttrell says he fired round after round until he was almost out of ammunition. Marcus is 46 years old. They picked him up and carried him to their village. At one point they burst into the house in which Luttrell was hiding and spent six hours kicking, punching and interrogating him. Luttrell took a sideways step, attempting to zigzag, but fell headlong, flipping in the air, hurtling down as he tried and failed to grab branches and get a foothold. Web737k Followers, 759 Following, 450 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Marcus Luttrell (@marcusluttrell) marcusluttrell. Once hed regained consciousness, he evaded the Taliban with the held Marcus Luttrell: Dealing with 'Lone Survivor' wounds - USA TODAY Gulab contests that account, saying that when he found and rescued Luttrell he still had his combat load, 11 full magazines. He and the men of Turbine 33 and Spartan 01 never will be forgotten. However, he was killed in April 2008 during a firefight with Pakistani police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was treated by Capt. His father, a former Navy gunner in Vietnam, was a man's man who taught his children to live off the land; together, Marcus and his twin brother Morgan learnt how to build shelters, to fish, to shoot, to scuba, and to kill, butcher and roast wild boars. But it's different for me, obviously. "The actors did a great job, and I hope people go and watch it and it resonates with them. Now, shes a third-term Virginia congresswoman. There's a lot of fascinating special operation history in the Netflix thriller "Lou," but going into details would reveal Jason McCarthy of goruck.com and Stew Smith discuss his journey to, through, and after Army Special Forces and being Copyright 2023 Military.com. Joshua Appel and Technical Sergeant Christopher Piercecchi of the United States Air Force Pararescue. He finished the call with "Roger that, sir. ", He was protected in that village for four days before, thanks to an emergency beacon he hung out of a window, the Air Force found him, but there can't ever have been a point where he fully trusted the situation. They could have been better at counter-tracking. Unlike what some people have said, taking the goat herders along to complete the mission was not a All rights reserved. He dropped his gun and covered his ears as Murphy screamed out to him. And that's all I did sir, really, I just kept getting back up. He was born and raised by his parents in Houston, Texas. Marcus had been shot six times with a .45-caliber pistol. Marcus started training for the U.S. Navy SEALs with U.S. Army veteran Billy Shelton at the age of 14. It's not like you can just walk out and think this guy's good and introduce yourself, that doesn't work like that over there. Luttrell sustained a slew of near-fatal injuries during his service, as well as experiencing the deaths of best friends and team-mates. In the 2013 American biographical war film titled Lone Survivor, actor Mark Wahlberg portrayed Marcus.The movie is based on the eponymous 2007 nonfiction book by Marcus. There were one or two frightening occasions when I heard it in broad daylight and found myself pressed against a wall, my hands covering my ears. Hernandez complained that his trial attorney was ineffective for a number of reasons, but the appellate court disagreed, affirming the conviction. The SEALs were forced by the attackers into the northeast gorge of the Shuryek Valley side of Sawtalo Sar. Edmonds, who testified against Hernandez, was placed on felony probation for five years. Marcus Luttrell Husband, Dad, Veteran & Advocate for Good People. Stepping off the back of the aircraft, I felt a tremendous guilt as I watched them taxi for takeoff. The other two herders then appeared, followed by a hundred or so goats, bells jangling around their necks. He's a West Point graduate, holds a master's of philosophy degree in military strategy and received his MBA from Harvard Business School. "The reason I had that animosity toward the Afghani people is because I just trained that way, and war changes your perspective. He endorsed the 2016 presidential campaign of former Texas governor Rick Perry. Kenneth Anger: Where The Bodies Are Buried. https://www.afterburner.com/, Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. During the mission, Marcus team was ambushed by Taliban militants and called in backup from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying eight more SEALs and eight 160th Army Special Operations Aviation Verified. Probably more than five days. Marcus doesn't just kiss ass and give you his trust and his blessing. An exploding grenade then threw Luttrell some distance, knocking him out. Verified. In an opinion written by Justice Rex Davis and released Thursday, Wacos 10th Court of Appeals upheld the March 2012 cruelty to animals conviction of Alfonso Hernandez from the 278th State District Court in Walker County. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Here, Luttrell is pictured in December with his new therapy dog, Rigby, acquired after DASY was killed. 450 posts. He was living in a home that was almost like a mausoleum, it had a gravestone in the middle of the living-room with the names of all the soldiers who were killed, and pictures of all of them. 'Things are slowing down and getting back to normal,' he writes on Facebook the day after we talk. definitely. Marcus Luttrell took quite a beating during Operation Red Wings and beyond. ** Marcus with his service dog, Mr. Rigby In a 2014 interview with The Marcus returned to full duty after recovering from his injuries. He was left unconscious with a broken back, a number of fractures, and countless shrapnel wounds. Luttrell moved in with Berg for a month as the two got to know each other. In response to Murphy's call, 16 men had whipped over in a Chinook, but as it came to land near the original drop-off point, one of Shah's men fired an RPG through the helicopter's open ramp. Special Recon, Direct Action. Stuff like that. He murdered more than 150 people and won the Silver Star, four Bronze Star Medals with three Gold Stars, and a V device. Half-dead, forced into trusting these people, let alone the Taliban surrounding the village and threatening them all, one can only imagine that extra layer of stress, not knowing what was around the corner at any given moment, or who might do what. "So, I'm done.". Mr Luttrell extolled the virtues of Navy SEALs, the best of the best, and Marcus wanted to be one from the age of 12. I think he wanted to get away from Texas, where he was constantly reminded of his dead brothers. Lone Survivor, the story of an injured Navy SEALs escape from the Taliban, is one of the most powerful action movies in years. ", He's happy to be finally done with it. As the rotors were turning and I was completing last-minute coordination with SEAL Commander Kristensen onboard the helicopter, Maj. Reich stepped on the aircraft and walked over to me like a major-league coach walking to the pitcher's mound. He has a lot of added stress, the Taliban weren't trying to kill him before I walked in there, and they are now, there's a bounty on his head. Also, he won a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a V device, another unit, and personal awards. Not covered in the book or film is Luttrell's headstate during those four days in the village (Sabray). The problem with our wars today is there's no uniform. Stew Smith and Jeff Nichols discuss the new testosterone to epitestosterone ratio (T/E) used at BUDS to deter use Abigail Spanberger spent almost a decade as a CIA operations officer. Luttrell was involved with the film every step of the way, and Berg invited him to assemble a small team of SEALs to train the key cast (Mark Wahlberg as Luttrell, alongside Taylor Kitsch, Ben Foster and Emile Hirsch) on a three-week bootcamp. A photo of former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell dressed in traditional Afghan attire during his stay in the village of Sabray during the summer of 2005. Marcus spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump. "Marcus, they got us good, man, he said. For days, Find those things you believe in so strongly, you'd give up absolutely everything to see them through. Marcus Luttrell did an interview with AOL/Moviephone on December 24th, 2013. This is what he said about his injuries. %3E I had to have my hand rec Something else which kept him alive was the determination to tell the world of his teammates, to ensure their courage was fittingly commemorated. He's had his house burnt down and a cousin killed. "I've been coming here since I got hurt and they do a great job of keeping me walking straight and living a semi-productive life.". Luttrell suffered a broken back from falls down the mountain to escape enemy forces, along with numerous shrapnel and a Gulab was told: "You will die. Marcus Luttrell. Marcus Luttrell (born November 7, 1975) is a former United States Navy SEAL who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions in June 2005 against Taliban fighters during Operation Red Wings. Luttrell was a SO1 by the end of his eight-year career in the United States Navy. This podcast has become a beacon of hope and resilience to those who are facing the impossible. Furiously, and fruitlessly I might add, I pleaded my case to Reich. If he was going to ask his men to fly into the teeth of the enemy, he would be right there alongside them. Lone Survivor was based on or inspired by actual events. It is far from a documentary retelling of exactly what happened during Operation Red Win He taught me the most important place for a leader is at the decisive point of the battle. In 2010, Marcus established the Lone Survivor Foundation headquartered in Houston, Texas. So you're always on your guard. A Waco appeals court upheld the animal cruelty conviction of the man who shot former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrells therapy dog, DASY (not pictured). One then appeared behind a tree in front of Luttrell, who blew his head off, beginning a three-hour gunfight involving a barrage of AK-47 bullets from all sides. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). I said, 'Sir really? One of the bullets pierced his aorta, Marcus is now a Houston, Texas, U.S resident where he lives with his wife Melanie Juneau, his son Alex, and his daughter Addie. He didn't, and has since had to go into hiding himself. And then they were gone. Dietz was shot again, and continued firing as Luttrell dragged him to cover. ', Luttrell picked up his rifle and ran over to Axe, who had crawled under a rock. years in a U.S. civilian jail. "Right! I wouldn't lay down and quit.". With no map, compass or medical gear, he began packing his wounds with mud. 'I moved slightly forward and looked up there, in time to see four of them come down and fire several rounds into his fallen body,' wrote Luttrell. Your whole family will die. A born and bred Texan, this medically-retired Navy SEAL is over in the sunshine state for a three-week stint in physical therapy, and has just wrapped up. Currently, Marcus and his family live in Houston, Texas, U.S. After graduating from Willis High School, Willis, Texas, Marcus proceeded to join Sam Houston State University. "I'm a member of that village, and I'm a member of that family just like he's a member of my family now. Containing 100 per cent new and original content, its published every Thursday on the Apple Newsstand. A few years ago, I was a pilot and platoon leader in a Nightstalker helicopter unit in Bagram, Afghanistan, meaning I was legally and morally responsible for the safeguarding and employment of four aircraft and about 30 specially trained soldiers. What injuries did marcus luttrell suffer? Luttrell, the only survivor, suffered a number of fractures, a broken back, and multiple shrapnel wounds after three of the team members were killed. During the firefight, members of SEAL Team 10 attempted to rescue their helicopter, but it was shot down, killing everyone on board. I don't wanna come across as mean, but you already know the answers to these questions. In 2005, while on a reconnaissance mission in the Afghan mountains, 19 SEALs were ambushed and killed; Luttrell survived by sheer force of spirit, strength and luck, when, having been found half-dead by some Afghani villagers, he was taken in by them and protected from the Taliban. He believed with every fiber of his being that he owed that much to Luttrell, Murphy, Dietz and Axelson, and those he would ask to risk everything to save them. According to the opinion, Luttrell heard the gunshot, grabbed his pistol and went next door to check on his mother. Prior to commencing the operation, he'd looked at the maps and was disconcerted. What injuries did Marcus Luttrell suffer? He'd doing well but I didn't want to be responsible for reactivating trauma in him. Without that training and that SEAL spirit, it's likely he wouldn't have made it. Web737k Followers, 759 Following, 450 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Marcus Luttrell (@marcusluttrell) marcusluttrell. I felt it was my duty. His dog was lying dead in a ditch, and two men were standing over the dog, talking and laughing, according to trial transcripts summarized by the appellate court. By the end of his eight-year career in the United States Navy, Marcus became an SO1. On July 2, he was rescued by Army Rangers and Afghan National Army soldiers in the woods when Mohammad and several villagers were trying to get Marcus to a safe location. In 2005, Luttrells twin brother Marcus was deployed in Afghanistan with three other SEALS in a mission known as Operation Red Wing. But he doesn't for one moment regret protecting Luttrell, and the two maintain a close friendship. He was in a body cast for about six months. But he's not afraid. They were in a major ambush and were fighting for their lives. United States Navy SEALs are notorious for their quick, tactical interventions So for when we were filming some of the more violent scenes I just didn't see the upside of having Marcus on the set, and he agreed with me., Director Berg goes through a scene with Wahlberg, who plays Luttrell in the film, Indeed, Luttrell was affected by those scenes when he saw them. City officials are considering a new lake on Waco Creek as part of a park planned next to the former Floyd Casey Stadium site. He's just a strong man. Shortly after beginning a four-mile trek in the sodden mud and freezing rain, Luttrell's fears were realised, as they became 'starkly silhouetted against a treeless mountain above a Taliban-occupied village,' the moon casting their shadows into the slope. WebMarcus Luttrell Injuries The four SEALs were attacked from three sides during the ambush of Operation Red Wings. The Taliban fighters, now unaware of his location, continued firing for some time before stopping. Regardless of his buoyancy when he calls, I can't bring myself to have him go through it yet again, and I tell him so upfront. 'Did it hurt when you got shot?' He served four tours in the Iraq War. He landed semi-conscious, breaking his nose. On this night, Codenamed Operation Red Wings, we looked for every edge we could find. 'What I couldn't see was a place to hide,' wrote Luttrell in his book, regarding the rough, stony landscape.