On October 3, 1993, the United States launched a military operation in Mogadishu, Somalia, that became known as “Black Hawk Down.” The mission, part of Operation Gothic Serpent, was intended to capture lieutenants of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, whose forces were destabilizing the country and obstructing U.N. humanitarian efforts. What began as a quick raid escalated into one of the most intense urban battles U.S. forces had faced since Vietnam. Elite U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force op