HQ$History - United States Special Operations Command

With the detainees loaded on trucks, the
ground convoy force attempted to reach the first
crash site from the north. Unable to find it
amongst the narrow, winding alleyways, the
convoy came under withering small arms and
RPG fire. The convoy had to return to base after
suffering numerous casualties, losing two 5-ton
trucks, and sustaining substantial damage to
the other vehicles. On the way back to base, this
convoy encountered a second convoy that had
left the airport in hopes of reaching the second
crash site.
The second group loaded casualties into its
vehicles and escorted the first convoy back to
base. About this time, the mission’s quick reaction
force (a company of the 10th Mountain
Division in support of UNOSOM II) also tried to
reach the second crash site. This force too was
pinned by Somali fire and required the fire support
of two AH-6 helicopters before it could
break contact and make its way back to the base.
The TF RANGER soldiers at the first crash
site were resupplied from a helicopter that
evening. Reinforcements, consisting of Rangers,
10th Mountain Division soldiers, SEALs, and
Malaysian armored personnel carriers, finally
arrived at 0155 on 4 October. The combined
force worked until dawn to free the pilot’s body,
receiving RPG and small arms fire throughout
the night.
All the casualties were loaded onto the
armored personnel carriers, and the remainder
of the force moved out on foot. With the armored
personnel carriers providing rolling cover, the
run-and-gun movement, known as the
“Mogadishu mile,” began at 0542. Somalis continued
firing at the convoy, but the Rangers only
sustained minor wounds. AH-6 gunships raked
the cross streets with fire to support the movement.
The main force of the convoy arrived at
the Pakistani Stadium at 0630. Medical personnel
gave emergency treatment to the wounded,
and all personnel were prepared for movement
to the hospital or the airfield.
Thus ended one of the bloodiest and fiercest
urban firefights since the Vietnam War. A total
of 16 members of TF RANGER were killed on 3-
4 October and 83 wounded (the 10th Mountain
Division suffered 22 wounded and two killed).
Various estimates placed Somali casualties
above 1,000. All told during their time in
Somalia, TF RANGER experienced a total of 17
killed in action and 106 wounded. Task force
members had to operate in an extremely difficult
environment, which required constant innovation,
flexibility, and sound judgment. The task
force had more than held its own against a vastly
superior enemy that was battle-hardened
from years of civil war and urban fighting.
The Withdrawal From Somalia
In the aftermath of the 3-4 October battle,
U.S. military presence in Somalia increased significantly.
Two AC-130s deployed to Kenya and
flew reconnaissance missions over Mogadishu.
More Special Forces also deployed as did a platoon
from SEAL Team 2 and one from SEAL
Team 8.
The SEALs provided security detachments to
U.S. and UN troops by occupying sniper positions
and guarding allied encampments, by flying
on aircraft traveling between Somalia and
the carrier battle groups offshore, and by providing
VIP protection. Other SEALs aboard rigid
inflatable boats (RIBs) provided harbor security
for Marine Corps landing boats shuttling
between ships offshore and Marine Corps
encampments on the beach. Most U.S. forces
pulled out of Somalia by 25 March 1994.
To assist the UN forces’ withdrawal, the final
amphibious ready group arrived off Somalia on 5
February 1995, carrying a platoon from SEAL
Team 5. During February and March 1995, the
SEALs first conducted hydrographic reconnaissance
missions on the beaches around
Mogadishu to determine the best evacuation
routes, and then performed initial terminal
guidance for Marine landing craft and assault
vehicles. The SEALs maintained security on the
evacuation route, conducting anti-sniper patrols
on the beach flanks and around the harbor.
Operation UNITED SHIELD, the withdrawal
from Somalia, was completed on 3 March 1995.
SOF had made major contributions to the
Somalia 1992-1995 operations. They conducted
reconnaissance and surveillance operations;
assisted with humanitarian relief; conducted
combat operations; protected American forces;
and conducted riverine patrols. Additionally,
they ensured the safe landing of the Marines
and safeguarded the arrival of merchant ships
carrying food.
63