Guest Programmer – Christian Harris
June 24-July 7, 2024
Operation Red Wings
For time:
3/4-mile run (1,200 meters)
Then,
16 rounds for time of:
8 toes-to-bars
8 burpee box jump-overs
Then,
47 goblet squats
♀20-inch box and a 53-lb kettlebell
♂24-inch box and a 70-lb kettlebell
On June 28, 2005, an MH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying a Quick Reaction Force of eight Navy SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers (members of the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment) were killed in action during Operation Red Wings in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. This part of the operation was an attempt to rescue Lt. Michael P. Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Danny Dietz, Sonar Technician 2nd Class Matthew Axelson, and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Marcus Luttrell, who had been cut off and outnumbered by Taliban fighters during a reconnaissance mission deep behind enemy lines. Three of the four SEALs on the ground were killed — Murphy, Axelson, and Dietz — with Luttrell being the lone survivor. The other eight SEALs and eight Night Stalkers were killed when the MH-47 Chinook, coming in to aid the ground team, was shot down by an enemy RPG and the helicopter broke apart, crashing down into the side of a mountain.
- ¾-mile run to commemorate the three out of four SEALs killed on the ground
- 16 rounds to commemorate the 16 service members killed during the rescue attempt
- 8 toes-to-bars to commemorate the eight Night Stalkers
- 8 burpee box jump-overs to commemorate the eight SEALs
- 47 goblet squats for the MH-47 Chinook that was lost
Scaling:
This workout is meant to be very grueling and mentally challenging. The workout begins with a ¾-mile (or 1,200-meter) run. From there, it’s a 16-round couplet of 8 toes-to-bars and 8 burpee box jump-overs. It’s a relatively small amount of work for 1 round, but it will compound over time. The redundancy will make this as much of a mental test as a physical one, so keep your head in it and find a way to keep yourself going. After the 16th round is complete, the workout finishes with 47 goblet squats. All athletes should reduce the work to a level that is attainable yet challenging.
Intermediate option:
For time:
3/4-mile run (1,200 meters)
Then,
12 rounds for time of:
6 knees-to-chest
6 burpee box jump-overs
Then,
47 goblet squats
♀20-inch box and a 35-lb kettlebell
♂24-inch box and a 53-lb kettlebell
Beginner option:
For time:
600-meter run
Then,
8 rounds for time of:
6 hanging knee raises
6 burpee box step-ups
Then,
47 air squats
♀12-inch box
♂20-inch box
Coaching Cues:
The figure-4 position is key to efficient running mechanics. To continue to develop running skills, practice standing with one leg up in a figure-4 hold.
Keep your shoulders over your hips, hips over your heel, and the heel of your lifted leg in line with the knee.
From there, work on quickly switching legs and holding the figure-4 without changing your overall body position.
Take these positions into your warm-up and workout for Operation Red Wings, and notice the difference in efficiency and speed!
Resources:
Running Workshop: Pose Alignment
The Kipping Toes-to-bar
The Burpee Box Jump-Over
More on Operation Red Wings
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