Chinook Community
Behind the Name: Twin Rotors Mission®
Though not married at the time, when serving overseas in South Korea in 1992, I met the man who would eventually become my husband. We were both assigned to the same unit: he was a Chinook Mechanic, and I was an Avionics Mechanic. We eventually married in 1994. He came down on orders to go back to Ft. Campbell, KY. He declined, retiring his service in 1997. Sometime after 9/11, he was going through some struggles. He couldn’t sleep, he was agitated, and at one point was angry enough that he began to destroy his military awards, ribbons, and medals. I was able to salvage some of them. He has no memory of this action. Years later we discovered through the end credits of the movie, Lone Survivor, that a brother warrior we served with during our time in South Korea was killed during Operation Red Wings in 2005 when the Chinook was shot down. Out of the 19 souls who perished, James Ponder, III was the sole individual killed from the 160th Unit in Ft. Campbell, KY. We dedicate our nonprofit to ensuring the names of our fallen are not forgotten!
A Tribute to Operation Red Wings
On June 28, 2005, 19 U.S. service members in Afghanistan were killed. 16 of those were killed when the Chinook helicopter outflew its support of attack helicopters, and was spotted by militants who then fired an RPG at them. Listed below are those whose lives perished that day:
Army Night Stalkers
3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Air Field, GA
- Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare, 29, of Danville, OH
- Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature, 35, of Clarks Grove, MN
- Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby, 21, of Pompano Beach, FL
- Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles, 33, of Shelbyville, IN
- Maj. Stephen C. Reich, 34, of Washington Depot, CT
- Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell, 31, of Stafford, VA
- Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach, 40, of Jacksonville, FL
HQ Company, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, KY
- Master Sgt. James W. Ponder III, 36, of Franklin, TN
Navy SEALs
SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1, Pearl Harbor, HI
- Lt. (SEAL) Michael P. Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, NY
- Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson, 29, of Cupertino, CA
- Machinist Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Eric S. Patton, 22, of Boulder City, NV
- Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy, 36, of Exeter, NH
- Quartermaster 2nd Class (SEAL) James Suh, 28, of Deerfield Beach, FL
SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2, Virginia Beach, Va.
- Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny P. Dietz, 25, of Littleton, CO
SEAL Team 10, Virginia Beach, Va.
- Chief Fire Controlman (SEAL) Jacques J. Fontan, 36, of New Orleans, LA
- Lt. Cmdr. (SEAL) Erik S. Kristensen, 33, of San Diego, CA
- Electronics Technician 1st Class (SEAL) Jeffery A. Lucas, 33, of Corbett, OR
- Lt. (SEAL) Michael M. McGreevy Jr., 30, of Portville, NY
- Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SEAL) Jeffrey S. Taylor, 30, of Midway, WV
Share Your Heart
Behind the Name: Twin Rotors Mission®
This page is unique in that we are dedicating this page to those who have who were dedicated to work in the chinook community, but as a result of their service perished.
Email twinrotorsmission@gmail.com with your story. All stories will be validated before posting! High quality photos are appreciated to post with the story. Thank you for your understanding.