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

dee takos

28 March 2026

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 website http://opredwings.com/ Politico article https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/03/20/operation-red-wings-lone-survivor-luttrell-00833548 Today's Sponsors: GhostBed⬇️ https://www.ghostbed.com/house FOR 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/TheTeamHouse To 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 guests Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️ https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse Support 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/theteamhouse Social Media: ⬇️ The Team House Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_link The Team House Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePod Jack’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_link Jack’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21 Dave’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21 Team House Discord: ⬇️ https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6 SubReddit: ⬇️ 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/1501191241 The 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 — Start 02:00 — How Ross & Ed teamed up and started re-reporting Red Wings 06:00 — The “Red Wings misinformation” problem and evolving narratives 08:00 — Memory vs reality: how the movie shaped what people think happened 10:00 — SEAL community silence, moral injury, and buried truth 14:30 — What was “held inside”: doubts about Lone Survivor’s accuracy 18:00 — The Lone Survivor book: White House involvement & narrative shaping 22:00 — Hollywood vs reality: how myths about the war were created 25:00 — Mission planning failures: Marines vs SEALs concept of the operation 30:00 — Why the plan changed: ISR limits, frustration, and the 4-man team decision 34:00 — Command & control problems and lack of joint integration 38:00 — No real QRF: confusion between units, aircraft, and responsibilities 42:00 — The helicopter shootdown and ad hoc rescue attempt 57:00 — The ambush: terrain disadvantage and what actually happened 01:02:00 — Enemy force size: myth vs reality (small element, not hundreds) 01:08:00 — Apache response controversy and breakdown in coordination 01:12:00 — What the battle video actually shows (and what’s false online) 01:18:00 — Timeline reconstruction: SIGINT, video, and primary sources 01:24:00 — Broader impact: misinformation, trust, and military credibility 01:31:00 — Lessons learned: Tillman, Jessica Lynch, and institutional trust 01:33:00 — Final thoughts: why the real story never needed embellishment Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.