Operation: Gothic Serpent pt. 4

Situation: After the successful capture of 3 of Aidid's top men, Super 61 was shot down. The CSAR team has been deployed, and a vehicle convoy has been dispatched. Along the route, however, the convoy was ambushed by many civilians and militiamen. Due to confusion caused by the helicopters, the convoy drove past Super 61 several times, prolonging the time in the kill zones created by the Somalis. Operators: 12, a mix of Rangers, SEALs, and Delta Operators Size: Large Difficulty: Hard Background: October 3, 1993 As part of UNOSOM II, the United States sent military forces to protect humanitarian efforts in Somalia. Mohamed Farrah Aidid was the warlord of the Habr Gidr clan, which had opposed UN peacekeeping efforts. Task Force Ranger was deployed in August with the goal of finding of killing Aidid. This raid was intended to capture 2 of Aidid's top lieutenants. Delta would ride in on the MH-6s, and assault the target building, while 4 Ranger chalks would create a perimeter. The Somalis had noticed the preparations of the Americans, and the city had mobilized to fight. The subsequent downing of 2 Black Hawk helicopters resulted in a drawn out engagement, instead of a quick snatch and grab. MSG Tim Martin, SGT Casey Joyce, SPC Jim Cavaco, CPL Richard Kowalewski, and SGT Lorenzo Ruiz were killed or mortally wounded on the "Lost Convoy"