THE TENSION: Families Gather on Anniversary of Afghanistan Battle

Photo Illustration commemorating the Medal of Honor presented posthumously to Lt. Michael P. Murphy (Sea, Air, Land). (U.S. Navy Illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay Chu.)

News in Balance:

SAN DIEGO, July 2, 2008 -- More than 60 family members who shared the loss of Navy and Army special operations personnel, during Operation Redwings in Afghanistan three years ago, met in San Diego, June 27, at Naval Special Warfare Command.

It marked the first time families from both military services involved in Redwings reunited since the fateful battle June 28, 2005. Navy SEALs -- 11 in all -- and eight Army soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Night Stalkers, were killed in action against overwhelming Taliban forces in the Hindu Kush mountains.

"It makes the day a little bit easier just being with people that truly understand what our husbands, sons and loved ones did," said Leslie Ponder, widow of Master Sgt. James W. Ponder III.

High in the mountains of Afghanistan, four SEALs were on a reconnaissance mission when their position was compromised and they came under heavy gunfire from nearly 200 Taliban militia.

As the fighting escalated and each SEAL received numerous wounds, Lt. Michael Murphy exposed himself to enemy fire to call for reinforcements to save his beleaguered team. A joint group of 16 SEALs and Army Night Stalkers rushing to join the battle were killed when their helicopter was shot down before they had a chance to land. The only SEAL of Murphy's team to survive the battle, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell, fought and evaded the enemy for several days before he was rescued.

Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery under fire. President George W. Bush presented the medal to Murphy's parents at the White House last year.

The family members of the fallen viewed the Redwings memorial at the NSW headquarters building and toured some of the local Naval Special Warfare facilities.

"This experience gave us an opportunity to look forward," Ponder said. "Me and my girls have been excited being here."

The next day was filled with events commemorating the anniversary of Operation Redwings. A private celebration was held for Redwings families aboard the USS Midway Museum in downtown San Diego, where Luttrell remembered his brothers-in-arms and spoke about the importance of families.

"We will always remember the guys we lost in combat," Luttrell said. "Also, we must always remember the families. The family members make it all possible for our guys out in the field."

After the Midway tour, the families attended a Major League Baseball game at San Diego's Petco Park. As part of the pregame events, the families stood before the crowd on the first and third baselines as the stadium announcer honored the lost men of Operation Redwings.

The Navy's parachute team, known as the "Leap Frogs," made a precision jump onto the field; four F-18 Hornet fighter jets flew over the stadium, and Luttrell threw the ceremonial first pitch.

"Everybody always remembers the ultimate sacrifice these men gave but sometimes as a family member, I feel that our daily sacrifice has been forgotten," Ponder said. "What the Navy has shown is that we aren't forgotten and we are loved and still a part of this military community."

Those who perished during Operation Redwings are: