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This is from a document given to me by a reporter doing a story on the 10th Mountain divisions actions in Somalia. It should be known that I typed it in just as I have here on the papers given to me, typos and all. I'm only human and did this in a few hours once I found these papers, so if you notice any glaring errors, drop me a line and I'll check to see if I typed it in correctly. It should also be noted that although there was a signature block at the end of this report, there was no signature. So this document should be taken at face value and not as an official report. -Mark FALCON BRIGADE, 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION SUMMARY OF COMBAT OPERATIONS ON 3 OCTOBER 1993 At 1537hrs the Quick Reaction Company (QRC) was alerted to Readiness Condition 1 (REDCON 1) by QRF Headquarters. This was done following notification by TFR that they would be launching soon on a capture mission. At 1545hrs TFR reported that the cordon and search elements were on the objective in the Bakara Market area. At 1610hrs a TFR aircraft was shot down. No location given. At 1627hrs the UNOSOM Operations Officer (U3) directed that two(2) scout weapons teams from the QRF aviation assets be placed on REDCON 1. This had already been done. CW4 Coates, of TF 2-25, verified the amount of rockets in the ASP and directed all aircraft with TOWs replaced with 2.75 rockets. He also verified the status of aircraft. Two Scout Weapons Teams (SWT) were ready to fly (2 OH58s/5 AH1s) in support of the TFR. At 1629hrs COL Casper, the QRF Commander, directed the QRC, which is garrisoned at the University Compound adjacent to the former U.S. Embassy Compound, to move immediately to the airfield. At this point TFR had notified the QRF that problems were developing on the objective and that assistance might be needed. COL Casper directed LTC Bill David, Commander, 2-14 Infantry Battalion to use the Main Supply Route (MSR) Bypass. At 1645hrs LTC David departed for the airfield with his QRC and Battalion TAC. One minute later, another company of 2-14 was placed on REDCON 1. Only three minutes later, at 1649hrs, the QRF TOC was informed that a second TFR aircraft had been shot down during action at the objective. At 1654 a third TFR aircraft was reported hit by enemy fire but was able to stay airborne and returned to the New Port where it landed. At 1711hrs COL Casper informed LTC David, by radio, that the QRC and the battalion TAC would be controlled throughout the operation by the TFR commander. At this time COL Casper was located at the QRF TOC. Within minutes, at 1724, LTC David arrived at the airfield with the QRC. At this time the QRC was C Company, 2-14 Infantry, call sign Tiger, commanded by Captain Whetstone. By 1747 LTC David had been briefed on the situation and received his mission. In a nutshell, he was informed by the TFR JOC that about 100 Rangers had been inserted by air and ground into an area near Bakara Market. They had successfully detained 24 individuals. However, after the aircraft were downed, the Rangers converged on the northern crash site to secure the crew and aircraft. In doing this, they had continued to experience heavy enemy fire and resistance and became pinned down in the vicinity of the northern crash site. LTC David was informed that his mission was to move to the southern crash site and secure the crews and Rangers located there. By 1747 LTC David had assembled and briefed his QRC and departed for his objective from the airfield. The route of travel selected was through the K3 traffic circle. As LTC David traveled north he radioed that he was now moving to the crash sites but that he needed air cover. The air cover that was to be provided by TFR was not in a position to cover and was experiencing communications problems. COL Casper informed him that QRF aviation assets (TF 2-25) would provide his air cover. Shortly thereafter, TFR aircraft did, in fact, arrive on station. TF 2-25 aircraft remained at the airfield at flight idle for an immediate response, if needed. At 1745 LTC David reported that he observed tracer fire about 300 meters north of K4 traffic circle and that the air cover was not yet on station. Three minutes later at 1757, LTC David reported that a HUMMV was hit and disabled. At 1802, he reported a second HUMMV engaged and disabled north of K4. Neither vehicle was part of the QRC force and were suspected at this time of being Ranger vehicles egressing from the objective. Between 1730-1800hrs the QRC was engaged with small arms fire as they approached the burning vehicles 300-400meters of K4 traffic circle. The convoy suppressed enemy positions on both sides of the road and continued to move. As the convoy reached National Street it was engaged again with a large volume of fire from the east. Instead of turning east the convoy continued North and continued to receive fire until reaching the intersection at grid coordinate 345265. At that point the convoy stopped and dismounted on the west side of the road. The QRC suppressed the enemy fire with MK19s and began assaulting across the road and was then engaged with a large volume of RPG and heavy machine gun fire from the vicinity of the milk factory. Two WIAs resulted from this engagement (1 Ranger and 1 QRC soldier). At 1815 SWT aircraft had reported taking small arms fire near the New Port. Black smoke was observed at K4 by the 2-14 S3 and that communication was lost with LTC David. The S3 reported that he was working the second QRC (Terminator) to secure the exfiltration route for the Tiger element currently at K4. Around 1821hrs BG Gile, ADC-O, 10th Mountain Division and COL Casper Instructed LTC David to break contact with the enemy. LTC David the directed the Tiger element to break contact with the enemy and return to the airfield as soon as possible. MG Montgomery, Deputy Forces Commander UNOSOM directed Malaysian Mechanized Battalion assets and Pakistani tanks be made available to the QRF. At 1838hrs MG Montgomery, US Forces Commander, contacted BG Gile, was located at the TFR JOC and directed him to take command of the operation. At 1840hrs LTC David reports that the Tiger element is now consolidated and will begin moving back to the airfield. At 1845hrs COL Casper directs the TF 2-25 Commander, LTC Gore to launch SWT to support TF 2-14. Prior to leaving the K4 area and the burning HUMMVs, LTC David directs Tiger element to use two dismounted platoons to check disabled vehicles. Tiger requests air cover. At 1849hrs 2 SWTs cover QRC movement. At 1858hrs COL Casper directs LTC David to recall Tiger elements to the airfield. No search of vehicles needed because all Rangers at that location were accounted for. As the Tiger element egressed to the airfield they again passed the TFR HUMMVs and were again engaged by small arms fire which was suppressed by a heavy volume of fire from the Tiger element. Prior to 1900hrs BG Gile and Col Casper coordinate and plan the task organization and mission for the follow on operation. At 1905hrs, LTC David directs Major Munch, the Battalion Executive Officer to move the entire battalion, with combat trains to the airfield. At 1907hrs LTC David returns to the airfield. At 1912hrs TFR OPCONS a platoon size ranger element with 4 HUMMVs to the QRF. Tiger element returns to the airfield at 1914 hrs and immediately rearms from the TFR ASP. At 1922 the TFR JOC reports that the Rangers are consolidated and pinned down in the vicinity of grid coordinate 36242679. At 1935hrs COL Casper and his battle staff with LNOs board aircraft to move to the airfield to plan the rescue. He and his staff linked up with LTC David and LTC Gore at the airfield terminal. Initial mission analysis was conducted and the route was planned for movement to New Port. LTC David issued the order to move out. At 1945 the Division Surgeon reports the 46th CSH has received 22 casualties. At 2020 A Co. reports he has closed on the airfield. At 2025 COL Casper and staff arrive at airfield and begin parallel planning with 2-14. At about 2045 BG Gile, COL Casper, LTC David, LTC Gore and TFR meet at the airfield to discuss the concept of the operations and link-up with the Rangers on the objective. At 2052 LTC David directed his elements to move to New Port. Shortly thereafter, the QRF S2 reports grid locations for downed aircraft as follows: Site 1, grid coordinate 36142685. Site 2, grid coordinate 36402625. Bravo company reports to airfield at 2056hrs. COL Casper and battle staff arrive at New Port to continue planning the operation. At about 2100hrs COL Casper receives a change in the mission from BG Gile. BG Gile directs COL Casper to effect link-up with the Rangers at the northern crash site first. If the tactical situation permits, LTC David is to proceed to the southern crash site to rescue survivors or recover bodies. At 2130 LTC David links up with Malaysians and Pakistanis. He briefs the plan to all elements. LTC David was now in command of the 32 Malaysian wheeled APCs with each vehicle containing a Malaysian vehicle commander, driver and gunner, a Pakistani tank company, C/2-14(QRC), B/2-14, A/2-14 in reserve, a platoon from C/1-87, AT platoon/2-14, and approximately 4 HUMMVs and 40 Rangers from TFR. The plan was to lead with the tanks followed by APCs. LTC David briefed the two QRF LNOs on what he expected. 1LT Ben Mathews was in the lead tank as the LNO to the Pakistanis and 1LT John Breen was the LNO to the Malaysians. At 2210hrs the QRF S3 informs QRF battle captain of intended route and mission and that elements will begin to move to the objective at 2300hrs. At 2200hrs LTC Gore, call sign Raven 6 continues to coordinate the direct fire air support and deconflict air space between TFR helicopters and 2-25 helicopters. 2-25 covers convoy to CP 207 and hands off to TFR. 2-25 aircraft include Coyote 06, controlling a 1:2 SWT; Rebel 13, OH58D; Raven 06(LTC Gore) and Courage 54 in command and control UH60. COL Casper reports there are problems with the Pakistanis and the order of march. At 2256hrs COL Casper reports that Malaysians will now lead the order of march with 2 APCs and the Pakistanis will follow. This changes again and the Pakistanis do, in fact, lead the column. AT 2303hrs OH58D reports the route of march appears clear of roadblocks At 2323hrs OH58D reports observing 3 suspected technicals. At 2324hrs the QRF with Malaysians and Pakistani support depart the New Port for the objective. SWT will guide the QRF to the objective. About one kilometer outside of New Port the Pakistani tanks encountered a roadblock and the Pakistani commander refused to go through in fear that it was mined. 1LT Matthews fired a magazine of 5.56 ammo into the roadblock, told the commander to go through. The Pakistani commander complied. The convoy continued east to CP 77 and turned north to CP 69. At CP 69 the Pakistani commander was informed by his commander that he could no longer lead the column. The Malaysian APCs then took the lead. The two APCs took a wrong turn and were engaged and destroyed by RPG fire. 500 meters past CP 207 the tanks were ambushed by machine gun and RPG fire. Seven to ten RPGs were fired at the lead tank. The tank stopped and returned fire. It took several minutes for 1LT Mathews to get the column moving again. The Tank company passed the road leading to the crash site and secured the far west end of National Street. The Terminator element, carried by the Malaysian APCs, continued west toward the Olympic Hotel and reports receiving fire on National Street at 2359hrs. Shortly thereafter at 0013hrs heavy fire is reported coming from the south side of National Street. Terminator was engaged by effective sniper fire from the Olympic Hotel, The company dismounted and took three WIA. MK129s neutralized the enemy at the hotel, it was a considerably long time before the column resumed movement. The delay was caused by the Malaysian commander's concern about his APCs that had turned south and separated from the main column. Coyote 06(SWT) moves into position to engage targets on the south side of National Street. At 0050 the QRF Tiger element reports it is 300-500 meters past CP 207. Four minutes later, CPT Whetstone, the Tiger Commander reports an explosion, source undetermined. At 0056hrs King 57 reports that no friendly activity is observed in the vicinity of the crash site at 36402625. Following this report LTC David reports at 0103 that dismounted troops are moving into the southern objective area and that he will attempt to guide them. At 0120hrs LTC Gore attempts to get Terminator element to mark enemy targets for SWT to engage. Terminator Commander reports at 0134hrs that he is working his unit onto the northern objective with assistance from King 57 and the IR laser. Four minutes later Terminator reports he is within 100m of the northern objective. At 0142 it is reported that 2 Malaysian APCs are disabled. One is reported burning, the other is reported inoperative. At 0145hrs the Tiger element reports it is moving in on the Southern objective mounted. At 0155hrs Terminator reports link up at northern objective with Rangers. Three minutes later the Tiger element reports it is 100 meters off of southern objective. At 0205 the Terminator element reports they can account for 22 Rangers so far. At 0226hrs COL Casper Directs that elements on the objectives egress to the Pakistani camp in the stadium. QRF TOC notified the Pakistanis and MEDEVAC of these directives. At 0228hrs the Tiger element is reported on the southern objective. LTC David reports that both companies are on their respective objectives. He states that Tiger has not located any Rangers so far but that Terminator is still linking up with Rangers at the northern location. He explains that time on the northern objective will be longer than southern objective because of a body trapped under the aircraft wreckage. LTC David reports that Malaysians have one KIA and several WIA. At 0244hrs Terminator requests more transport APCs for passengers, otherwise overflow will walk out. Shortly after this report at 0257hrs Tiger reports receiving heavy machine gun and RPG fire at southern objective. During the time that the companies were on the objective, hundreds of RPG rounds are reported fired at the APCs and ground forces. At 0307hrs COL Casper provides BG Gile a situation report: Terminator element, minus one platoon, is still on northern objective and has recovered all KIA and WIA except one soldier who is trapped in the helicopter. He informs BG Gile that LTC David has instructed Terminator not to leave the site until the body is recovered. Tiger, at the southern objective has had no contact with any Rangers or any crew members. Tiger is using thermite grenades to destroy sensitive equipment and render aircraft inoperative. No Rangers or equipment were found. He reports further that there are many casualties, no numbers available and that 2 APCs were hit. MEDEVAC issue is being worked. Egress will be to Pakistani stadium and TFR will provide air cover. At 0337hrs LTC David reports that 3, maybe 4 APCs are hit by enemy fire and 1 or more is burning. Reports many casualties and that it will take longer on the objective. He has received report that crew of from southern may be in a building south of the crash site. Requests guidance whether to continue search based on this report. At 0344hrs the Joint Operations Center(JOC) reports that bandits are starting to move out of Villa Somalia. Directs that all aircraft stand off so that mortars may be fired by the Pakistanis at SP1. Later at 0409hrs the JOC reports that Pakistanis have secured the egress route from the stadium to SP 207. At the same time LTC David reports multiple mortar rounds impacting within 40 meters of his location. At 0418hrs the JOC reports that the Pakistanis will fire 40 mortar rounds into Villa Somalia in 2 minutes. At 0420hrs the Pakistanis report that egress route is no longer clear. From 0427hrs to 0429hrs aircraft continued to work with terminator element to identify and engage targets. At 0431hrs the 2-14 TOC reports to QRF HQ to be prepared for 40-50 WIAs. At 0444 Terminator 100accountability and is conducting link up with crew on south objective. Between 0445hrs and 0450hrs Tiger links up with Terminator platoon leader(Terminator 26) on southern objective and reports they are now attempting to move in with APCs. Tiger reports difficulty linking up with the Terminator platoon 300 meters south because of heavy enemy forces sandwiched between the platoon and Tiger. Tiger directs MH6 mini guns and rocket fire on the enemy positions to Malaysian Company Commander led the three APCs to pick up the platoon. At 0505hrs a body is reported still trapped in aircraft at northern objective and is KIA. The Pakistanis report they will enter the stadium from the North through checkpoint 33. At 0524hrs the Malaysian APCs, carrying C/2-14 passed CP 207. The QRF directs 2-25 to destroy an abandoned APC's left by the Malaysians. At 0528hrs Terminator extracts body from aircraft at northern objective and at 0537hrs departs objective area to return to base. At 0554hrs Terminator requests Malaysian APCs to return down National Street to pick up additional passengers. LTC David directs that overflow personnel ride on top of the APCs. At 0545hrs TF 2-25 reports ZSU 23-2 anti-aircraft gun fire from the vicinity of Olympic Hotel and National Street. TFR moves north to 21 October Road while AH-1s from TF 2-25 engage with 20mm cannon and 2.75 rockets. The target is neutralized. At 0604hrs the SWT destroys APCs on the southern objective. At 0608hrs it is reported that there are still Rangers dismounted. Falcon 16 states he has 2 APCs at SP 207 and will move to assist. LTC David orders movement stopped until Rangers are picked up. At 0620hrs LTC David reports QRF and Task Force Ranger are closed on the stadium. Charlie Company, 1-87 infantry reports it has 8 vehicles at the airfield and 2 vehicles at the Pakistani stadium. He reports 1 WIA and 1 pair of PVS-7 missing. All QRF LNOs are accounted for. At 0717hrs LTC David reports to the 2-14 TOC unit casualties as 1 KIA, 14 WIA. Final casualty report was 1 KIA, 22 WIA. At 0725hrs LTC Gore reports all aircraft and personnel are accounted for.
LAWRENCE E. CASPER
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