Operation Red Wings: What Actually Happened

This episode features in-depth discussions with journalists Ed Darack and Ross Schneiderman on Operation Red Wings, exploring the mission's planning, execution, and the myths surrounding it. Gain insights into military decision-making, communication failures, and the importance of accurate reporting. This in-depth interview with Ed Darack and Ross Schneiderman unpacks the complexities, myths, and realities of Operation Red Wings, exploring the tactical details, misperceptions, and lessons learned from this pivotal military event.<br />Ed's website<br />http://opredwings.com/<br />Politico article<br />https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/03/20/operation-red-wings-lone-survivor-luttrell-00833548<br /><br />Today's Sponsors:<br />GhostBed⬇️<br />https://www.ghostbed.com/house<br />FOR 10% off! <br />Blue Chew ⬇️<br />https://bluechew.com/<br />Get 1 month free when you buy 2 of BlueChew Gold with code "HOUSECALL"<br />Wild Alaskan Company⬇️<br />https://wildalaskan.com/HOUSE <br />Get $35 off your first order!<br />Good Ranchers ⬇️<br />https://www.goodranchers.com/<br />Get $25 off your first order with the code "HOUSE"<br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! <br />https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouse<br />To help support the show and for all bonus content including:<br />-live shows and asking guest questions <br />-ad free audio and video<br />-early access to shows<br />-Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests<br />Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️<br />https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse<br />Support the show here:⬇️<br />https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse<br />___________________________________________________<br />PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" <br />⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️<br />https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/<br />Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️<br />https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured<br />__________________________________<br />Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️<br />https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/<br />——————————————————————<br />Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️<br />https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouse<br />Social Media: ⬇️<br />The Team House Instagram:<br />https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_link<br />The Team House Twitter:<br />https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePod<br />Jack’s Instagram:<br />https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_link<br />Jack’s Twitter:<br /> https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21<br />Dave’s Twitter: <br />https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21<br />Team House Discord: ⬇️<br />https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6<br />SubReddit: ⬇️<br />https://www.reddit.com/r/TheTeamHouse/<br />Jack Murphy's memoir "Murphy's Law" can be found here:⬇️<br /> https://www.amazon.com/Murphys-Law-Journey-Investigative-Journalist/dp/1501191241<br />The Team Room Reading Room (Amazon Affiliate links):⬇️<br /> https://jackmurphywrites.com/the-team-room-reading-room/<br />Intro music by https://www.youtube.com/user/RemixSample<br />"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"<br /><br />00:00 — Start<br />02:00 — How Ross &amp; Ed teamed up and started re-reporting Red Wings<br />06:00 — The “Red Wings misinformation” problem and evolving narratives<br />08:00 — Memory vs reality: how the movie shaped what people think happened<br />10:00 — SEAL community silence, moral injury, and buried truth<br />14:30 — What was “held inside”: doubts about Lone Survivor’s accuracy<br />18:00 — The Lone Survivor book: White House involvement &amp; narrative shaping<br />22:00 — Hollywood vs reality: how myths about the war were created<br />25:00 — Mission planning failures: Marines vs SEALs concept of the operation<br />30:00 — Why the plan changed: ISR limits, frustration, and the 4-man team decision<br />34:00 — Command &amp; control problems and lack of joint integration<br />38:00 — No real QRF: confusion between units, aircraft, and responsibilities<br />42:00 — The helicopter shootdown and ad hoc rescue attempt<br />57:00 — The ambush: terrain disadvantage and what actually happened<br />01:02:00 — Enemy force size: myth vs reality (small element, not hundreds)<br />01:08:00 — Apache response controversy and breakdown in coordination<br />01:12:00 — What the battle video actually shows (and what’s false online)<br />01:18:00 — Timeline reconstruction: SIGINT, video, and primary sources<br />01:24:00 — Broader impact: misinformation, trust, and military credibility<br />01:31:00 — Lessons learned: Tillman, Jessica Lynch, and institutional trust<br />01:33:00 — Final thoughts: why the real story never needed embellishment<br /><br />Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss">https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support</a>.