There are many military battles in the history of the United States, which shaped future operations, but there are few battles, which equal the foreshadowing that the Battle of Mogadishu brought to American servicemen and women. From the concept of operations to the underestimation of an enemy military force this conflict, and resulting battle serves as a guide for failure on an international scale in regards to military leadership, politics, and strategy when combating insurgency. Several things play a key role in the nature of operations such as the economy, social divides, political interests, military operations and tactics, and physical environment of the host country. By analyzing this mission, conducted primarily by U.S. Military …show more content…
With rations, water, and ammunition running low the 90 members of TFR trapped in Mogadishu consolidated and remained in their positions until reinforcements arrived, all while continuing to engage the enemy fighters in the streets. Coordinating with UN counterparts MG Garrison orders “the convoy, totaling over seventy vehicles departed for the Bakara district of Mogadishu at approximately 2330 hours to rescue the members of TFR and the Special Operations team at the second crash site” (Day 10). The convoy, under the cover of darkness, entered the city of Mogadishu and after serious delays and heavy, persistent enemy fire, located the Task Force Ranger personnel at roughly 0200 hours on 4 September 1993. The second convoy found “a trail of spent brass casings and blood stains through the streets. The crew of the second helicopter and the two Delta snipers were all missing” (Day 11). Both convoys and their rescued team members arrive in the early dawn hours at Task Force Ranger headquarters on 4 September 1993. The mission lasts nearly 15 hours and the toll on American lives is staggering with 18 dead and 73 injured however, the losses to the insurgent Somali forces is estimated to be in the thousands. This United States intervention, which began as a humanitarian aid mission, became the most severe loss of life to U.S. personnel since the Vietnam War. Additionally, this plan of aiding a socially and politically unstable country from cruel dictatorship eerily mirrors the wars more recently in Iraq and