Sergeant First Class Michael L. Russell died on 28 June 2005 in eastern Afghanistan when his MH-47D Chinook helicopter, #146, was shot down by an enemy rocket propelled grenade while flying in to rescue the members of a SEAL team during Operation RED WINGS.

SFC Russell was born on 28 September 1973 in Virginia. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in October 1991 as a Chinook Helicopter Repairer. After completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, his first duty station was Barbers Point, Hawaii, where he remained until April 1995. In May 1995, he was assigned to the 158th Aviation Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado. In August 1996, SFC Russell was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), where he served as a Flight Engineer with 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR(Abn), Hunter Army Air Field, Georgia.

SFC Russell was a graduate of the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course, Environmental Coordinator Course, and Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course.

SFC Russell's awards and decorations include the Air Medal (w/"V" Device), Air Medal (w/1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (w/2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (w/1 Silver OLC and 1 Bronze OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Senior Aviation Badge, and the Expert Qualification Badge (Rifle). He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (w/"V" Device), Master Aircraft Crew Member Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.

He is survived by his wife, Annette; daughter, Lauren and son, Logan; his parents, Lee and Linda; brother, Lee; and sister, Melissa. He is laid to rest in Stafford, Virginia, at Stafford Memorial Park. Hangar #7902 at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, is dedicated in honor of the crew of Aircraft Tail #146 as Turbine 33 Hangar.