Operation Red Wings: What Actually Happened | Ed Darack & Ross Schneiderman | Ep. 404

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.Ed's websitehttp://opredwings.com/Politico articlehttps://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/03/20/operation-red-wings-lone-survivor-luttrell-00833548Today's Sponsors:GhostBed⬇️https://www.ghostbed.com/houseFOR 10% off! Blue Chew ⬇️https://bluechew.com/Get 1 month free when you buy 2 of BlueChew Gold with code "HOUSECALL"Wild Alaskan Company⬇️https://wildalaskan.com/HOUSE Get $35 off your first order!Good Ranchers ⬇️https://www.goodranchers.com/Get $25 off your first order with the code "HOUSE"-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouseTo help support the show and for all bonus content including:-live shows and asking guest questions -ad free audio and video-early access to shows-Access to ALL bonus segments with our guestsSubscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouseSupport the show here:⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse___________________________________________________PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured__________________________________Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/——————————————————————Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouseSocial Media: ⬇️The Team House Instagram:https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_linkThe Team House Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePodJack’s Instagram:https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_linkJack’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21Dave’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21Team House Discord: ⬇️https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6SubReddit: ⬇️https://www.reddit.com/r/TheTeamHouse/Jack Murphy's memoir "Murphy's Law" can be found here:⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/Murphys-Law-Journey-Investigative-Journalist/dp/1501191241The Team Room Reading Room (Amazon Affiliate links):⬇️ https://jackmurphywrites.com/the-team-room-reading-room/Intro music by https://www.youtube.com/user/RemixSample"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"00:00 — Start02:00 — How Ross & Ed teamed up and started re-reporting Red Wings06:00 — The “Red Wings misinformation” problem and evolving narratives08:00 — Memory vs reality: how the movie shaped what people think happened10:00 — SEAL community silence, moral injury, and buried truth14:30 — What was “held inside”: doubts about Lone Survivor’s accuracy18:00 — The Lone Survivor book: White House involvement & narrative shaping22:00 — Hollywood vs reality: how myths about the war were created25:00 — Mission planning failures: Marines vs SEALs concept of the operation30:00 — Why the plan changed: ISR limits, frustration, and the 4-man team decision34:00 — Command & control problems and lack of joint integration38:00 — No real QRF: confusion between units, aircraft, and responsibilities42:00 — The helicopter shootdown and ad hoc rescue attempt57:00 — The ambush: terrain disadvantage and what actually happened01:02:00 — Enemy force size: myth vs reality (small element, not hundreds)01:08:00 — Apache response controversy and breakdown in coordination01:12:00 — What the battle video actually shows (and what’s false online)01:18:00 — Timeline reconstruction: SIGINT, video, and primary sources01:24:00 — Broader impact: misinformation, trust, and military credibility01:31:00 — Lessons learned: Tillman, Jessica Lynch, and institutional trust01:33:00 — Final thoughts: why the real story never needed embellishmentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.