What exactly did we learn from Mogadishu?

[major burnout]

We'd leave them there to die and blame it on a YouTube video...

We have a winner

[dubs02]

I guess my question is, why is this posted in the semi automatic gas operated section?

I was thinking the same? what does any of this have to do with semi auto rifles?

[FeuerFrei]

Lessons learned...
#1 - Killing drugged up enemy is harder to do with a 556 regardless of ammo type.
#2 - Don't get involved in a civil war in a country where both sides hate your guts.
#3 - The U.N. is incompetent in everything. Specially "mercy missions". Just say "NO!".
#4 - Rules of engagement are stupid. If I were in charge and my troops were getting fired upon I would turn the entire hostile area into a parking lot. Square miles if I think it necessary. I like Daisy cutters, MOAB's and the like and I miss napalm.
#5 - Politicians make poor judges of competent military strategies.
#6 - Keep you collar buttoned up because hot brass down your shirt is a special kinda hell.

...this list could go on forever...
BHD is a good movie! Director's cut for the win.

[smle-man]

I just watched Black Hawk Down for probably the 10th time, and this time I was paying extra close attention to how the rifles and carbines were set up, particularly the Delta guys. I was trying to pick out specific differences in the guns they were running back in '93 as opposed to today's conflicts. I noticed an M21 being used, Aimpoint red dots, lights mounted at the 6 o'clock position, and suppressors. I assume most people were also using M193 back then.

My question is what did we learn from the conflict and what did we take away from it? Now we have more capable rounds like Mk 262 MOD 1 and M855A1, lighter setups, railed handguards, smaller suppressors and PEQs. How did we improve our tactics and ground maneuvers? How did the battle impact how we set up our weapons and go about battlefield activities?

In other words, and in summary: how would we have gone about it differently if it happened today? And what improvements have we made to small arms and how they're issued (not that this was a major reason that we lost lives)?

We wouldn't have ground troops in that environment in that strength with those rules of engagement today. Firearms and ammunition wouldn't make a difference.

A piece of advice: when looking for historical and technical information, read a non fiction book or two on the subject, don't look to movies for facts even though "Blackhawk Down" the movie was well done.

[vinny_land]

Go on FB and ask LAV questions about weapons setup during that time.

[Jimi Jah]

My take? Bring back napalm.

[readysetgo]

I can say with 100% confidence...I have no idea but...

sovereign2b's post was reading gold!

Takeaway was raising the flag and naked chick.

j/k, thanks for sharing sovereign2b, thanks to all our warriors for service to USA.

[Ugly Hombre]

S2B- thanks for you service and the great post.

[supertrooper]

What's your take away from the movie?

[1911su16b870]

Go on FB and ask LAV questions about weapons setup during that time.

...or more appropriately ask Paul Howe as he was in it...

[farmerjoe]

Politicians should never substitute the right forces (2/9) with the wrong forces (75th Rangers) to save money.

[American Samurai]

What did we learn? Looks like not that much since Benghazi happened.

[billped]

I consider myself a lucky man to read sovereign2b's post.

Thank you for your service.

[Redeyedrider]

I consider myself a lucky man to read sovereign2b's post.

Thank you for your service.

^^^^^ This times 10

[American Samurai]

They didn't do what they were told or trained to do. Not taking water not taking rear plates for body armor. Failure to follow simple instructions is what got most of those guys killed. Typically army fail. Watch the movie again notice all the problems start with the Marines turning over control to the army . Then it stops when the Marines are back in counrty
I have always wondered how the Marine Corps is 25% the size of the army with old out of date equipment ,yet they still do a better job than the army. Army boot camp is too short. No combat training for non infantry personal. It's sad that was a complete faileron of senior staff.
They left their two 240 gunners behind. Another fail.
Thats what I learned watching the movie.
To be fair I was in combat training when that movie came out.
Right off the bat our corporal told us to watch it when we had liberty .
He said watch it it's the best lesson on why you follow orders . Don't try to take short cuts.

This boggles my mind as the unit in Mogadishu were the Elite 75th Ranger regiment right? Not just regular line company Army unit.