&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Black_hawk_down_bookcover.png) First-edition cover | |
| Author | Mark Bowden |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Battle of Mogadishu (1993) |
| Genre | War Historical non-fiction |
| Publisher | Signet Books |
Publication date | February 10, 1999 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Hardcover Trade paperback |
| Pages | 392 |
| ISBN | 978-0-87113-738-8 |
Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War is a 1999 book by journalist Mark Bowden. It documents efforts by the Unified Task Force to capture Somali faction leader Mohamed Farrah Aidid in 1993, and the resulting battle in Mogadishu between United States forces and Aidid's militia. One of the key events is the downing of two United States MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, from which the book derives its title, and the attempt to rescue their crews. United States forces included 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; 160th SOAR; Delta Force; 24th Special Tactics Squadron; DEVGRU Navy SEALs; 10th Mountain Division; as well as Malaysian and Pakistani United Nations peacekeeping forces.
The raid became the most intense close combat in U.S. military history since the Vietnam War. Although the overall mission to apprehend Aidid was officially codenamed Operation Gothic Serpent, the media colloquially termed the incident the Battle of Mogadishu as well as the Battle of the Black Sea.[1]