4. Battle of Mogadishu 1993: Somalia
The Battle of Mogadishu more commonly referred to as Black Hawk Down or, locally, as the Day of the Rangers.
In 1993, the UN Ambassador to Somalia requested assistance in removing Mohamed Farrah Aidid from power in the country.
The United States deployed elements of Delta Force, 3rd Ranger Battalion and Nightstalkers to accomplish the task.
The elements entered the country in August but the real mission took place on October 3rd when intelligence indicated Aidid would be meeting with two of his top lieutenants.
The mission was going as planned until the opposition took down a Blackhawk helicopter that was circling the area. Some of the teams were redirected to the downed helicopter.
Shortly after, a second helicopter was hit. Known for never leaving a fallen comrade, the special operations teams worked their way to secure the bodies in the two helicopters.
The pilot of the second helicopter had his body dragged through the streets and was held hostage for eleven days before eventually being released.
When October 4th arrived, the Americans had suffered nineteen casualties and endured the worst fighting in recent history ultimately resulting in a failed mission.
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