Battle of Mogadishu

Operation Gothic Serpent

:See Timeline of the Battle of Mogadishu for a detailed synopsis.

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On October 3 1993, Task Force Ranger, a U.S. Special Operations Forces composed mainly of Rangers, Delta Force (1st SFOD-D) operators, and aviation support from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers), attempted to capture Aidid's foreign minister Omar Salad and top political advisor Mohamed Hassan Awale. The plan was to fast rope down from hovering MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, capture the targets, and load them onto a ground convoy for transport back to the U.S. compound. Four Ranger chalks, also inserted by helicopter, were to provide a secure square perimeter on the four corners of the operation's target building.

Related Topics:
October 3 - 1993 - U.S. Special Operations Forces - Ranger - Delta Force - Night Stalkers - Foreign minister - Omar Salad - Mohamed Hassan Awale - Chalks

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The ground extraction convoy was supposed to reach the captive targets a few minutes after the beginning of the operation. However, it ran into delays. Somali citizens and local militia formed barricades along the streets of Mogadishu with rocks and burning tires, blocking the convoy from reaching the Rangers and their captives. A five-ton truck, part of the convoy, was struck by a rocket propelled grenade.

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Other complications arose. A U.S. Army Ranger was seriously injured during the insertion. Pvt. Todd Blackburn fell while fast roping from of a helicopter hovering 70 feet above the streets. Minutes later, a MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade.

Related Topics:
U.S. Army Ranger - Fast roping - MH-60 Black Hawk - Rocket propelled grenade

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There was confusion between the ground convoy and the assault team. The assault team and the ground convoy waited for twenty minutes just out of sight of each other, ready to move, but each under the impression that they were to be first contacted by the other. During the wait, a second Black Hawk was also downed.

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Most of the assault team went to the first crash site for a rescue operation. Upon reaching the site, about 90 Rangers found themselves under siege from heavy militia fire. Despite air support, the Rangers were effectively trapped for the night.

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At the second crash site, two Delta Force snipers, Sgt. First Class Randy Shughart and Master Sgt. Gary Gordon, were inserted by helicopter to protect the wounded pilot from the approaching mob. Both soldiers were later killed by the mob when the site was overrun by Somali militiamen. The pilot, Mike Durant, was seriously injured during the crash and was eventually taken hostage. For their actions, Shughart and Gordon each received the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Related Topics:
Delta Force - Sgt. First Class Randy Shughart - Master Sgt. Gary Gordon - Mike Durant - Medal of Honor

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Repeated attempts by the Somalis to mass forces and overrun these American positions were neutralized by strafing and rocket attacks from U.S. aircraft. Reinforcements from the U.S. 10th Mountain Division, aided by Malaysian and Pakistani U.N. forces, arrived in the early morning. No contingency planning or coordination with U.N. forces had been arranged prior to the operation. This lack of planning significantly complicated and delayed the recovery of the surrounded U.S. soldiers.

Related Topics:
U.S. 10th Mountain Division - Malaysia - Pakistan

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The battle was over by October 4 at 6:30 AM. American forces were finally evacuated to the U.N. Pakistani base. In all, eighteen US soldiers died of wounds acquired during the battle, and another 79 were injured. The Malaysian forces lost one soldier and had seven injured, while the Pakistanis suffered two injuries. Casualties on the Somali side were heavy, with estimates on fatalities from 500 to over 1000 people. The Somali casualties were a mixture of militiamen and local civilians. Two days later, a mortar round fell on the US compound, killing another US soldier and injuring another twelve.

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