• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • skorpFull-Auto Fun — Shooting the full-Auto vz. 61 Škorpion
        • p320-full-leftSIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can’t Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
        • TISAS_10100520_1__98179Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
        • Photoroom_20250531_143432Pyramyd AIR’s Springfield Hellcat Pro CO2 BB Pistol Is the Ultimate Dry-Fire Trainer
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
        • The Gallagator 10 day pack on the shoreline next to a hiking trail.Day Pack – Mystery Ranch Gallagator 10 – The Best Yet?
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Tom and Blake Sell TeaHow Sasquatch Tea Is Revitalizing a Stagnant Tea Market With Veterans and Outdoorsmen in Mind
        • redcat-blackwidow-articleheaderWar of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
        • craft holstersCraft Holsters Makarov Tuckable IWB Holster Report
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise
Featured

Operation Red Wings Remembered: An Army Rangers Reflection

June 28, 2018 by Leo Jenkins Leave a Comment

Operation Redwings Remembered

I remember wrapping the $4 disposable Walgreens camera with OD green “hundred-mile-an-hour-tape.” I knew if I was caught with it on any mission I would likely be kicked out of Ranger Battalion. Before our platoon left Bagram Airfield, I knew this day would live in the beating heart of my war’s history. I took the risk.

Photo 1– first light on the first day (we infilled the night prior) just before we stepped off on a 3-day foot patrol to recover the SEALs we hoped were still alive.

Operation Redwings Remembered

Photo 2– we sat on those ridge lines scanning for any sign of movement amid the seemingly endless mountains. 

Operation Redwings Remembered

Photo 3– very close to where we found Petty officer second class Matt Axelson’s remains. 

Operation Redwings Remembered

Photo 4-the first days movement. There’s no more accurate way to describe the terrain other than “fucking steep as fuck!” We got in a short tick shortly after I snapped that one. 

Operation Redwings Remembered

Photo 5– my good friend Antouine “Cass” Castaneda, sitting overwatch at the end of day 2. RIP my brother. You don’t have to listen to those gun runs anymore.

Operation Redwings Remembered

Photo 6– the living conditions of the locals.

Operation Redwings Remembered

Photo 7-my friend Russel Tassin on overwatch.

Operation Redwings Remembered

Following this deployment, I got drunk and passed out in the back of his truck. I woke up at Disney World. It was a rather memorable weekend.

 

*Photos courtesy of the author

Share This

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
    The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
  • West Coast Armor IIIA Plates Review: Lightweight, American-Made Protection
    West Coast Armor IIIA Plates Review: Lightweight, American-Made Protection
  • M4A1 Block I: The Special Operations Origins of an American Icon
    M4A1 Block I: The Special Operations Origins of an American Icon
  • Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
    Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Winston Smiths on Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Jared Mize on The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife: A Commando Blade That Changed Special Forces Forever
  • GomeznSA on MAC-10: The Wild History of America’s Most Iconic (and Overrated) Submachine Gun

Latest From SOFREP

News

Evening Brief: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Orders Expanded US Military Coordination as Trump Resumes Arms Deliveries

Aviation

Italian Man Sucked Into Jet Engine, Killed

Security

A Navy Veteran’s Guide to Staying Armed and Ready for Anything

World

Delta Force Tales: Geo Hand Explores the Dark Web

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...