Operation Red Wings Foundation
A Legacy of Healing
For 16 years, Operation Red Wings Foundation was honored to serve Veterans, Service Members, and their families through life-changing therapeutic retreats and programs.
Although our organization has concluded operations, our legacy lives on through the thousands of lives forever changed.
Our Story
Born of Sacrifice. Built for Healing.
Operation Red Wings Foundation was founded in 2010 to honor the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of the 19 U.S. service members who lost their lives during Operation Red Wings on June 28, 2005. Inspired by their selfless service and unwavering commitment to one another, the Foundation was created with a mission to continue serving those who have borne the invisible wounds of war.
For the next 16 years, Operation Red Wings Foundation provided life-changing therapeutic retreats and programs for Veterans, Service Members, and their families living with post-traumatic stress (PTS), mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), chronic pain, and the lasting effects of military service. Through evidence-informed therapies, peer connection, and compassionate support from licensed therapists, certified yoga instructors, equine specialists, and dedicated volunteers, we created environments where healing, resilience, and hope could flourish. Every retreat and program was provided completely free of charge, because we believed cost should never stand in the way of healing.
Together with our donors, volunteers, partners, and communities, we hosted 415 therapeutic retreats, served 5,328 Veterans and family members, and delivered more than 185,000 hours of therapeutic care. While these numbers reflect the scope of our work, they cannot fully capture the lives changed, the families strengthened, the friendships formed, or the hope restored along the way.
Although Operation Red Wings Foundation has concluded operations, the legacy of the 19 heroes who inspired our mission lives on through every Veteran and family we were honored to serve. We remain forever grateful to the Veterans, families, donors, volunteers, therapists, partners, and supporters who helped transform their legacy of sacrifice into a legacy of healing.
In Memoriam
Honoring the 19 Fallen
On June 28, 2005, nineteen U.S. service members gave their lives during Operation Red Wings in the mountains of Afghanistan. Their courage and their devotion to one another became the foundation of everything we built. We remember them, always.
Their sacrifice became a legacy of healing.
Our Impact
Sixteen Years,
Measured in Lives
16
Years of Service
415
Therapeutic Retreats
5,328
Veterans & Family Members Served
185,000+
Hours of Therapeutic Care
1,043
Veterans & Family Members Waiting for Care at the Time of Closure
THE NEED CONTINUES
At the time ORWF concluded operations, a record 1,043 Veterans and family members were waiting for assistance.
Our Programs
How We Served
Voices of Healing
In Their Own Words
“I really don’t know how to put into words how much this staff means to me and I’m sure the rest of us. We laughed, cried, and learned and leaned on each other. We also together laughed so much. I can’t explain how much they mean to me.”
“It’s really hard for me to connect and open up to people, but he (therapist) got to me. For the first time in a while, I felt heard. That’s all I wanted. He’s a blessing to my life and I’m so glad to have met him.”
“I got the chance to turn off the world and focus on me from a position where I can see the issues without judgement, and have actual feedback that was helpful because many others were going through the same situations and had plenty of advice and options to tackle my issues with grace and dignity.”
“A.R.T. has seriously changed my life. This is the biggest thing that helped me out on this trip and I’m extremely grateful to have experienced this.”
“I have been lost for years and my faith was damaged by certain events in my life, both Military and Personal. ANCHORED gave me the opportunity to express my feelings and open up about the loss I feel and how to get back into my Spirituality and renew my relationship with my God.”
Thank You
You Built This Legacy
To every Veteran…
To every spouse…
To every child…
To every therapist…
To every yoga instructor…
To every equine specialist…
To every team leader…
To every volunteer…
To every donor…
To every partner…
To every supporter…
You built this legacy.
Resources
Help Is Still Available
Although Operation Red Wings Foundation has concluded operations, support for Veterans and their families continues. Our Veteran Resource Guide brings together trusted organizations and services.
Thank you for allowing us to serve.
What We Built Together
Together
415 Therapeutic Retreats
5,328 Lives Served
185,000+ Hours of Healing
16 Years of Service
Countless Lives Forever Changed