465: Black Hawk Down. Revealed Details From Somalia. Col. James Lechner

Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel James Lechner, with 27 years of service, has a comprehensive military background rooted in a disciplined upbringing and rigorous training.

Lechner's upbringing and early interest in becoming a professional soldier

Growing up in upstate New York, in a family with a history of military service and exposure to various cultural influences, Lechner was tenaciously inspired by historical figures like Patton to become a professional soldier.

Lechner grew up in upstate New York in a family with a military background, and from a young age he was determined to become a professional soldier, inspired by historical figures like Patton.

Lechner's uncle, a proud Marine Corps veteran who worked for Kodak and served as a battalion chief in the local fire department, profoundly influenced him. In a household of mixed religious background—his mother being Southern Baptist and his father, a devout Catholic—Lechner also encountered unique guidance from his Boy Scout leader, who was raised in the Hitler Youth. These diverse influences, coupled with his love for history and studies of generals like Patton, fueled his ambition to pursue a career as an Army soldier. His eagerness led him to take the fastest route into the Army he could find: joining the National Guard, completing basic training during high school, and planning for college before transitioning to active duty.

Lechner's experiences at the Citadel and in the Army's infantry training

The Citadel and subsequent infantry training demanded total physical and mental commitment from Lechner, a period which shaped his military acumen.

The Citadel provided Lechner with an intensive, Spartan-like education that emphasized self-discipline, sacrifice, and dedication to duty.

Influenced by Arland D. Williams, a Citadel graduate known for his heroism, Lechner knew the Citadel was his school upon visiting. There, he underwent an arduous plebe system—known for its relentless pressure and intensive discipline, including squaring meals and bracing. The regimen was mentally ...

The Battle of Mogadishu, recounted in the book and movie "Black Hawk Down," presents the challenging experiences of the U.S. special operations task force formed in response to escalating violence in Somalia in 1993.

The initial mission and integration challenges with Delta Force

The task force was assembled after two American Humvees were ambushed leading to U.S. casualties. Despite the urgency, Alpha Company was surprisingly bypassed in favor of Bravo Company. James Lechner shares insights on the pre-deployment phase where missions were routinely planned, rehearsed, and canceled, creating an environment of “spin-up and stand down” that tested the task force's readiness and morale.

Lechner emphasizes that the Ranger company had no prior integration with Delta Force until just before deployment, noting the task force felt like a hastily formed “pickup team.” Moreover, elements like the aircrew from a P-3 Orion were pulled into urban operations, far from their customary roles, further complicating coordination.

The Rangers' main mission was to neutralize the leadership resisting the UN efforts in Somalia, specifically targeting Mohammed Farah Deed. However, they grappled with a lack of developed intelligence and had to rely on basic lists from regular UN and U.S. Army units, which sometimes contained inaccuracies.

Delta Force was to engage the target building with Little Bird helicopters and Black Hawks while the Rangers fast-roped to establish a security perimeter. Lechner points out that the task force's unfamiliarity with unarmored vehicles and their different operational culture increased the challenges of synchronizing their approach with that of Delta Force.

Despite conducting six missions before October 3rd, the task force grappled with communication, operational confusion, and integration hurdles. General Garrison took a step back after an initially botched operation, reflecting a cautious reassessment of tactical procedures.

The first major engagement and the loss of Super 6-1

The task force's first significant setback occurred when Super 6-1, with snipers onboard, was hit, crashed, and went out of commission. Amidst the chaos, Lechner, on Super 64, realized the urgency of Super 6-1's situation when they replaced it to maintain air support.

As hostilities escalated, Blackburn missed his fast-roping descent due to intense dust, referred to as a brownout, causing him critical injuries. The chaotic ground insertion saw the Rangers immediately engaged upon landing. The crash of Super 6-1 into a hostile area launched a desperate initiative to secure the site and rescue the crew. Dan Bush survived the crash and engaged in combat before being extracted by a Little Bird pilot, while Jim Smith refused evacuation, choosing to continue fighting.

The convoy, burdened with Somali prisoners and part of the assault force, struggled to reach the crash site through streets barricaded by Somalis. As the task force worked on prisoner extraction and establishing the perimeter, they faced growing resistance and escalating firefights.

During the operation, the Ranger platoons responded to enemy contact violently with heavy weaponry. The intense French Quarter centric battle exceeded earlier skirmishes in brutality and forced the soldiers to adapt rapidly to the deteriorating circumstances.

The convoy's harrowing retreat and the battle's escalating intensity

The harrowing retreat of the convoy revealed the intensity of the battle. Dominic Pilla was killed early in ...

James Lechner’s narrative reveals his unique perspective on the battle due to his role as a forward observer and offers an intimate look into the human toll of conflict as well as the unyielding bonds formed in the ranger regiment.

Lechner's perspective as a forward observer and his role in the battle

Lechner was a lieutenant in charge of forward observers with the ranger elements during the Battle of Mogadishu. From his position, he coordinated fire support, which came from various assets including AC-130s, helicopter gunships, or mortars. For this operation, they had Black Hawk snipers and reserve attack helicopters with rockets and Gatling guns – weaponry Lechner advocated for. He oversaw the observers and managed the fire support, as they called in support from the Black Hawks above. Lechner's narrative details his witnessing of the Blackhawk helicopter, Super 6-1, being hit and crashing. Throughout the battle, he never felt they would be overrun, trusting the combat effectiveness of his comrades.

Lechner's position as a forward observer gave him a unique vantage point to coordinate fire support and witness the intensity of the combat.

Throughout the battle, Lechner maintained his role in managing threats and coordinating with pilots to provide support, emphasizing the mission’s continuity even after a helicopter was lost. His recounts illustrate the intensity of the close combat, at times engaging enemies mere meters away, and detail his management of support that was critical in giving the rangers vital breathing room during engagements.

Lechner's personal account of being wounded and the heroic efforts to save him underscores the human toll of the battle.

Lechner was shot in the right leg, which he describes as feeling like being hit by a sledgehammer, a bullet from an AK-47 shattering his leg. The quick actions of Delta medic Bart Bullock were pivotal in saving Lechner’s leg and likely his life, as he dragged Lechner to safety and provided emergency medical treatment. Later, Lechner went through extreme and near-miraculous surgeries to rebuild his leg, including using bone from his pelvis, an enduring testament to his resilience and determination as a ranger.

Lechner's reflections on the battle's impact and the enduring bonds of the Ranger regiment

After the battle, Lechner observed the gathered wounded and fallen, reinforcing that they were now combat veterans. He underscores the strong tribal feeling within Task Force Ranger and the deep bond he felt with fellow members. This experience forged an even mightier ...

In the military, rigorous preparation and dedication to traditional virtues stand as the bedrock of success. This is encapsulated by the experiences and insights of individuals like James Lechner and others who have faithfully served.

Importance of thorough planning, coordination, and contingencies in complex operations

In high-stakes military operations, the necessity for in-depth planning and flexible execution becomes apparent. Field experiences underscore this reality.

The task force's struggles to maintain cohesion and adapt to the evolving situation underscore the need for comprehensive planning and flexible execution.

Lechner notes that while confidence within the team was high due to their firepower and technology, professional effort was required to anticipate potential adversities, such as ambushes or an aircraft being shot down. The initial resistance to considering negative outcomes suggested a lack of thorough contingency planning. During the operation, the plan began to feel insufficient as the situation devolved, leading to more fighting than expected and a sense of being overwhelmed, highlighting the necessity of thorough planning and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges.

The challenges in integrating various military units and assets highlight the importance of thorough coordination and shared understanding of objectives.

The task force experienced difficulties in integrating different international units from the UN coalition, which included Pakistani, Malaysian, Greek, and Turkish military units, due to cultural differences and hesitances in entering the fight. The need to adapt on the fly due to changes in communication systems, such as the switch from FM to UHF radios, reflected a lack of joint forces coordination. Adapting to a communications breakdown during combat further illustrated the need for backup plans and flexible strategies.

The enduring value of traditional military virtues and the Ranger ethos

The dedication displayed by the Rangers in the face of adversity shone a light on the timeless importance of military virtues.

Lechner's experiences at the Citadel and in the Ranger Regiment emphasize the continued relevance of values like discipline, sacrif ...