Gothic Serpent: 20 years ago
- Thread starter Dogtown
- Start date
I used to work for an ex WO2/ UH60 pilot that was attached to the 160th and was at the Mog airfield that day, the stories he told...
For those of us in the Army SOF community back then, it's kind of one of those "do you remember where you were that day?" sort of moments. And it can't be understated how much that battle went on to shape Army SOF TTPs and equipment in the following years, let alone how it affected not only US foreign policy at the time but also that of our European allies.
Being a lowly Civi, I didn't know this as "Gothic Serpent". I only knew/know of this as "mogadishu" and/or BlackHawk Down. Prior to this event, mogadishu didn't really exist for me. Since this event, I haven't wanted it to exist.
As a lowly civi, the words "I'm sorry" just aren't enough, though I'd also back it up with "Thank You". Oh, and also "I'll pour the Bourbon".
As a lowly civi, the words "I'm sorry" just aren't enough, though I'd also back it up with "Thank You". Oh, and also "I'll pour the Bourbon".
I was one of the fortunate digital artists that got to work on BHD with Ridley Scott directing. It was the experience of a lifetime. We had access to two advisors, one from the 75th Ranger Division and an Air Force guy, not sure what his job was?. Talk about stoic characters, the pictures they painted of the event and the mentality of the Somalis as bleak to say the least. The Ranger remarked that he wouldn't be talking about it unless they were paying him so much, dark humor, but it had an air of seriousness behind it. I can't imagine.
"Regiment"...it's 75th Ranger Regiment
Let me guess, was that at Asylum?
Sure, Regiment..
Yup, Asylum.
Not trying to take anything away from him, but I just wish Jeff Struecker would credit the quality training he got in the Regiment a bit more than all of that religious stuff. I know that's a bit unrealistic to ask of a guy who came back in to be a chaplain.
Bit late for this, but I had a small part in the AAR of this as part of Gen. Zinni's team that went in to the area days later. My role was to look at the psychological operations/info ops side of what had happened and most of what I wrote was subsequently ignored.
That said, there were a lot of heroes that day. And a lot of scapegoats, most of whom were a long way from Mogadishu and who were using a 10,000 mile screwdriver to fiddle with things they had no business fiddling with.
I'll leave it at that... but the guys on the ground deserve our greatest reverence.
Sirhr
That said, there were a lot of heroes that day. And a lot of scapegoats, most of whom were a long way from Mogadishu and who were using a 10,000 mile screwdriver to fiddle with things they had no business fiddling with.
I'll leave it at that... but the guys on the ground deserve our greatest reverence.
Sirhr
Went to a presentation this past weekend, put ob by one of the operators that was there. When you hear about it from someone who was there, tou will never watch the movie the same way.
It was the first time he had spoke of it publicly, and said it took alot f caxing from his wife. But I walked away with a whole new perspective.
Eric
It was the first time he had spoke of it publicly, and said it took alot f caxing from his wife. But I walked away with a whole new perspective.
Eric
I met a couple of these guys at Ft. Benning when I passed through. One of the guys portrayed in the movie (one of the main characters) was stationed there while I was in airborne hold, I forget his name, he was just an E6 in the same green as everyone else to me at the time (I knew the story, hadn't seen the movie or read the book). Except he was always getting hounded for autographs. Real nice guy from what I recall, always had time to talk to new soldiers. Hell, that may have even been his job --he was like the Brad Pitt of Sand Hill (though he surely didn't ask for that).
Similar threads
