Shawn Ryan Show

#259 Mike Durant - 160th SOAR Pilot Who Survived Black Hawk Down and 11 Days as a POW

December 4, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Mike Durant's motivation to become an Army helicopter pilot was solidified at age 14 after flying with a neighbor, an Army Warrant Officer, over Mount Washington. 
  • The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) originated from TF-160, which was formed to prepare for a second attempt to rescue hostages in Iran after Operation Eagle Claw failed. 
  • Durant was part of the development team for the Armed Blackhawk, designing weapon systems using primitive tools like plastic drawing templates because formal attack helicopter training was unavailable to him. 
  • The development of the 160th SOAR's Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) Black Hawk capability, including the integration of 30mm cannons and Hellfire missiles, was a rapid and intense process marked by numerous near-miss accidents during training. 
  • Mike Durant recounts several life-threatening training incidents in Panama and Desert Storm, highlighting the constant element of luck and timing that separates survival from becoming a casualty in special operations aviation. 
  • The initial phase of Operation Just Cause in Panama involved the first combat use of a Forward Area Refueling and Rearming Point (FARP) by the 160th SOAR and featured the controversial use of F-117s to initiate the assault. 
  • The initial plan to capture Aidid was canceled by the President due to a low 25% chance of success, which the speaker believes was a political decision that ultimately led to the later escalation of conflict after the 10th Mountain Division attack caused a massive shift in Somali public opinion against the US. 
  • The success of the subsequent direct action missions, including the capture of Osman Otto, was heavily reliant on meticulous planning, extensive rehearsals, and the high level of situational awareness and engagement from every member of the team, exemplified by a crew chief instantly using an IR laser to mark a target in dusty conditions. 
  • The crash of Super 61 on October 3rd, 1993, was caused by an RPG hitting the tail gearbox, leading to a catastrophic loss of the tail rotor at low speed, which resulted in an uncontrollable spin and the severe injuries sustained by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike Durant and his co-pilot. 
  • Mike Durant's MP5 jammed repeatedly after being rescued at Crash Site 2, likely due to damage sustained when the aircraft landed vertically on its magazine. 
  • Durant initially lied about the cause of his facial injuries in early accounts to protect his comrades' families from the horrific reality of being beaten by a fellow soldier's arm. 
  • The arrival of Robert Oakley, a trusted envoy, significantly shifted the political calculus, leading to the reinforcement of US assets and ultimately influencing the decision to withdraw from Somalia. 
  • Mike Durant expressed frustration that the Battle of Mogadishu is often viewed as a failure, asserting that while losses were heavy due to a lack of resources (like AC-130s and artillery), the mission objectives were achieved and the enemy was decisively defeated. 
  • Durant detailed the surreal experience of being approached by a Somali envoy, including a letter from Mohammed Farah Adid requesting Durant advocate for forgiveness, which Durant vehemently refused due to the loss of his comrades. 
  • Durant's experience running for the Alabama U.S. Senate seat revealed the deeply entrenched and often dishonest political maneuvering within the establishment, leading him to conclude that he dodged a bullet by not winning and that politicians are often 'political prostitutes.' 

Segments

Sponsor Reads and Guest Introduction
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:02)
  • Key Takeaway: The podcast opens with advertisements for PayPal, Kia, ARMA, Aura, BetterHelp, and AG1 before introducing Mike Durant.
  • Summary: The initial segment featured several sponsor messages covering payment options, vehicles, supplements, and mental health services. Host Shawn Ryan then formally welcomed Mike Durant, retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 of the 160th SOAR. Durant’s service, including surviving the Battle of Mogadishu, was highlighted as a crucial piece of American history.
Somali Terrorism Funding Discussion
Copied to clipboard!
(00:04:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant expressed concern over reports of Somalis in Minnesota defrauding government funds to support al-Shabaab.
  • Summary: The conversation briefly touched upon current events regarding Somali communities in the US, specifically allegations of funding terrorism via housing stabilization funds in Minnesota. Durant noted the challenges law enforcement faces in identifying individuals within that community due to shared names and lack of records. He found the idea of supporting al-Shabaab within US borders ‘unimaginable’ and ‘insane’.
POW Courage and Faith
Copied to clipboard!
(00:08:53)
  • Key Takeaway: Family and faith provided Mike Durant the courage to survive his captivity as a POW.
  • Summary: Responding to a listener question, Durant stated that thoughts of his young son and wife, and his Christian faith, were crucial for survival during his darkest moments. He emphasized a philosophy of taking ‘one step forward’ rather than focusing on the overwhelming totality of the challenge ahead. This incremental milestone approach is applicable to any major life obstacle.
Belief of Imminent Death
Copied to clipboard!
(01:11:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant felt certain he would die when his helicopter was overrun, comparing the feeling to knowing one is above the impact site of the World Trade Center on 9/11.
  • Summary: Durant admitted that when the overrun occurred, he believed his life was over because the enemy had a track record of killing all prisoners. He described the feeling as the mind accepting that life is about to end, a feeling he later related to the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. He considers the day of his release as his ‘second life’ beginning.
New Hampshire Upbringing and Aviation Spark
Copied to clipboard!
(01:15:03)
  • Key Takeaway: A formative helicopter flight with a neighbor at age 14 inspired Durant to pursue aviation over working at the local paper mill.
  • Summary: Durant grew up in a blue-collar paper mill town in New Hampshire, enjoying outdoor activities like hunting and hockey. His career path dramatically shifted after working for a neighbor who was an Army helicopter pilot and experiencing flight over Mount Washington. This experience motivated him to join the Army, initially aiming for flight school, though he was first routed into military intelligence.
Path to Warrant Officer and Flight School
Copied to clipboard!
(01:21:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant secured a Black Hawk slot in flight school as the second-ranked student after the top student was assigned Chinooks.
  • Summary: After serving as a Spanish voice intercept operator in Panama, Durant re-applied for flight school and was accepted despite the Army losing his initial paperwork. He took the responsibility of pilot safety seriously, studying hard, but finished second in his class due to a five-point deduction on a critical check ride. This second-place ranking unexpectedly secured him the only Black Hawk slot available, as the top student received Chinooks.
Early Flight Time in Korea
Copied to clipboard!
(01:27:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant extended his tour in Korea to maximize flight time, becoming the unit trainer despite being the first Black Hawk pilot in a Huey unit.
  • Summary: Flight school was challenging, with a high washout rate, but Durant excelled, particularly in stick and rudder skills over instrument flying. Assigned to a medical evacuation unit in Korea, he flew over 150 missions in his first year, logging nearly 500 hours, which was crucial for a new aviator. He was made the unit trainer, responsible for teaching pilots to fly along the DMZ, memorizing its location to avoid being shot down by North Korea.
Joining the 160th SOAR
Copied to clipboard!
(00:32:57)
  • Key Takeaway: The 160th SOAR was formed from the task force created for the second, ultimately canceled, attempt to rescue hostages in Iran.
  • Summary: Durant learned about the 160th SOAR while stationed with the 101st Airborne in 1988, realizing it was born from the assets assembled for the second Iran hostage rescue attempt. He spent two years building experience in the 101st before successfully assessing into the unit, becoming part of the first Green Platoon training class. His first deployment with the unit was Operation Prime Chance in the Persian Gulf.
Operation Prime Chance Experience
Copied to clipboard!
(00:54:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Operation Prime Chance was the first combat action by the newly formed U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and resulted in zero US losses.
  • Summary: Operation Prime Chance (also known as Operation Ernest Will) involved protecting reflagged oil tankers from Iranian mining in the Persian Gulf. This operation marked the first combat engagement using night vision goggles, where Iranian boats laying mines were engaged using flashette rockets. Durant noted that this mission was the hardest low-level overwater flying he experienced, comparing the zero-visibility conditions to flying inside a ping pong ball.
Developing the Armed Blackhawk
Copied to clipboard!
(00:59:40)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant helped design the Armed Blackhawk configuration using hand-drawn diagrams and consumer tools before the unit had formal attack helicopter training.
  • Summary: Working closely with Cliff Walcott, Durant was instrumental in developing the concept of turning Blackhawks into attack helicopters, a capability later used in combat during Operation Just Cause. The design process was primitive, involving hand-drawing system layouts on paper to convey requirements to engineers at Rockwell Collins. Durant and his peers flew combat missions with this configuration despite never attending formal attack helicopter training courses.
Operation Just Cause Success
Copied to clipboard!
(01:04:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Operation Just Cause in Panama was an incredibly successful, simultaneous joint operation involving 26 targets hit at H-Hour.
  • Summary: The mission to take down Panama, known internally as Blue Spoon, was executed with SEAL Team 6, Delta, and conventional forces hitting targets simultaneously. Durant’s role during the airfield seizure at Rio Hato involved establishing the first combat Forward Area Refueling and Rearming Point (FARP) for the unit. This operation was the first combat use of the F-117 stealth aircraft.
Panama Operation Just Cause FARP
Copied to clipboard!
(01:05:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The 160th SOAR executed the first combat Forward Area Refueling and Rearming Point (FARP) during Operation Just Cause.
  • Summary: The mission involved supporting the Ranger airfield seizure by acting as a mobile gas station, refueling and rearming Little Birds. The Black Hawk was heavily laden with rockets, causing it to be significantly over gross weight during takeoff. The speaker regrets not neutralizing an enemy anti-aircraft gun when the assigned Apaches aborted due to mechanical issues.
Panama Combat Initiation and Apache Issues
Copied to clipboard!
(01:08:39)
  • Key Takeaway: The commencement of combat in Panama was signaled by F-117 strikes, immediately followed by enemy AAA fire after Apaches aborted their neutralization mission.
  • Summary: F-117s dropped 2,000-pound bombs near barracks, allegedly to scare the Panamanian Defense Force (PDF) rather than kill them, based on the theory that the PDF would then support the new leadership. An Apache reported mechanical problems and returned to base, leaving the AAA gun active. The speaker wished he had used his Black Hawk to destroy the manually operated AAA gun.
FARP Operations and Chip Light Incident
Copied to clipboard!
(01:13:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The FARP operation was successfully executed, but the heavily loaded Black Hawk later experienced a transmission chip light warning.
  • Summary: After refueling Little Birds, the speaker’s aircraft was left with minimal fuel, forcing a decision on whether to carry back unused rockets. A chip light indicated metal in the transmission, but the pilot decided to fly the aircraft back to the airfield rather than risk shutting down on the ground where PDF forces might overrun them. The chip detector was likely triggered by debris from the transmission being stressed by the heavy load in an unusual operational mode.
Post-Operation Just Cause Activities
Copied to clipboard!
(01:16:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Following Noriega’s capture, SOF elements split to conduct direct action missions in Cologne while the speaker returned to instructing.
  • Summary: The speaker joined SEAL Team Six on the Cologne side, conducting several direct action missions in areas where he had previously lived as an enlisted intelligence NCO. He recounts a near-disaster during a fast-rope mission where unexpected wind conditions caused a power deficit, forcing a controlled descent onto the tennis court net instead of a hover insertion. The operation concluded with Noriega’s surrender, flown out by Cliff Walcott.
DAP Development and Weapon Testing
Copied to clipboard!
(01:24:32)
  • Key Takeaway: The Defensive Armed Penetrator (DAP) program matured to include 30mm cannons and Hellfire missiles, with the speaker and Cliff Walcott being the first to fire a Hellfire from a Black Hawk.
  • Summary: The DAP designation was changed from Direct Action Penetrator to Defensive Armed Penetrator due to new attack aircraft fielding requirements. The speaker describes the awesome power of the 30mm cannon and the excitement of firing the first Hellfire missile in training. During a check ride, a teammate accidentally discharged a rocket underneath the lead aircraft due to improper grip technique on the cyclic, highlighting the dangers of new weapon integration.
Desert Storm Hostage Mission Cancellation
Copied to clipboard!
(01:34:56)
  • Key Takeaway: The 160th SOAR’s highly prepared mission to rescue hostages in Kuwait City (Operation Java Man) was canceled when the hostages were released just before the assault.
  • Summary: The team had trained extensively for the hostage rescue, anticipating a 50% casualty rate, yet every member accepted the risk without hesitation. The mission was scrubbed when the hostages were freed, leading to frustration as the unit was ready for combat while the main Desert Storm air war began. The unit then pivoted to supporting Delta Force missions to neutralize Scud missile launchers in Western Iraq.
Scud Hunting and Weapon Malfunction
Copied to clipboard!
(01:39:22)
  • Key Takeaway: During a Scud neutralization mission in Desert Storm, the speaker successfully engaged a launcher with miniguns, but his aircraft’s gun system failed on a subsequent pass due to an overheating component.
  • Summary: The speaker received coordinates for a Scud site via SATCOM and successfully engaged it with miniguns, an event later captured on FLIR imagery. On the next pass, intending to use rockets, the gun system failed completely, which was later traced to an electronic component overheating after two hours of continuous power application during the long-range mission. The failure was eventually fixed by replacing the component sourced from a local electronics store.
Training Mishaps: Self-Inflicted Damage
Copied to clipboard!
(01:48:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Mike Durant experienced multiple self-inflicted weapon malfunctions during training, including one incident where minigun rounds penetrated his own cockpit windshield.
  • Summary: During a live-fire exercise, the bolt retaining the minigun assembly fell out, causing the gun to traverse inward and fire approximately 2,000 rounds into the cockpit, narrowly missing the co-pilot’s knee. In a separate incident, a 30mm projectile was found lodged in the engine inlet, leading to a debated theory that a slow-moving squib round was caught by the aircraft’s forward motion.
Aircraft Modifications and Signature
Copied to clipboard!
(02:07:05)
  • Key Takeaway: SOAR aircraft required minimal, quick modifications like fast rope bars for clandestine missions, avoiding major changes like miniguns to maintain low visibility.
  • Summary: The 160th SOAR made quick, minor modifications to their Black Hawks for low-profile missions, such as bolting in fast rope bars, but avoided large changes like installing miniguns. The goal was to use standard-looking Blackhawks to blend in, as the enemy was embedded within the local infrastructure. This low visibility was crucial because the target, Aidid, was making public appearances.
Initial Aidid Capture Mission Cancellation
Copied to clipboard!
(02:08:35)
  • Key Takeaway: The initial plan to capture Aidid was rejected by the President based on a reported 25% chance of success, despite the speaker believing the success rate was 95%.
  • Summary: The President was briefed on the initial plan to capture Aidid, who was visible in public, but declined to authorize the mission due to a low 25% success probability. The speaker asserts that had this initial mission succeeded, his involvement in the later Battle of Mogadishu would never have occurred. Missing this window of opportunity allowed the situation to deteriorate significantly.
Impact of 10th Mountain Attack
Copied to clipboard!
(02:10:03)
  • Key Takeaway: The 10th Mountain Division’s attack on a suspected compound, resulting in high civilian casualties, provided Aidid with the necessary proof to turn the Somali population against the US forces.
  • Summary: The 10th Mountain Division executed their mission with overwhelming firepower, but the resulting deaths of approximately 80 women and children gave Aidid the narrative needed to convince Somalis that Americans were there to kill them, not help them. This event marked a critical loss in the battle for hearts and minds, contrasting sharply with the initial positive reception President Bush received months earlier. The shift in public sentiment was evident as locals went from waving to throwing rocks at US helicopters.
Escalation Leading to Operation Gothic Serpent
Copied to clipboard!
(02:12:11)
  • Key Takeaway: The August 8th RPG attack that killed four US soldiers in a Humvee served as the final trigger, prompting the US to reassemble the full SOF package for a comprehensive operation against Aidid’s infrastructure.
  • Summary: Following the 10th Mountain attack and the direct RPG attack on a Humvee resulting in four US fatalities, the US military recognized the need for a different plan. The full deployment package, including Rangers and attack helicopters, was reassembled at Fort Bragg. This escalation followed a period of uncertainty where the mission status was repeatedly on and off.
Pre-Deployment Planning and Rehearsals
Copied to clipboard!
(02:14:03)
  • Key Takeaway: The planning for the capture mission involved developing detailed, scenario-based knee board packages and conducting approximately 20 flight rehearsals to ensure rapid reaction capabilities.
  • Summary: The team rehearsed various likely scenarios for the capture mission, developing detailed knee board packages that included crew information, frequencies, and contingency plans. This preparation was crucial for reacting quickly, as chasing a high-value target does not allow for lengthy, on-the-spot planning. The speaker noted he became so familiar with the plan that he no longer needed his knee board on the day of the actual mission.
First Successful Direct Action Mission
Copied to clipboard!
(02:17:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The first direct action mission, targeting a location where Aidid was suspected, was a success due to precise execution, highlighted by a crew chief instantly using an IR laser to guide the pilot through dust clouds.
  • Summary: The initial missions focused on capturing Aidid, and the first execution went well with the element of surprise maintained. The precision required for fast-roping inside a compound gate was achieved when a crew chief immediately illuminated the target building with an IR laser after the pilot called for it. This small act of situational awareness prevented the flight from becoming a liability by ensuring accurate placement of the assault force.
Capture of Osman Otto (Mission Five)
Copied to clipboard!
(02:22:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The successful capture of Osman Otto, Aidid’s number two, involved a daytime mission where Otto casually walked away from the compound during the assault, only to be apprehended later at an alternate location.
  • Summary: Mission five targeted Osman Otto, who, despite being the target, was observed on video casually walking out of his compound during the initial assault, suggesting he was not surprised by the raid itself. The team successfully captured eight of his workers and used an alternate pickup zone due to RPG fire encountered on approach. Otto was ultimately captured days later in a separate vehicle ambush, where he was found humbled, not cocky, under a pile of trash.
Denied Assets and Political Rationale
Copied to clipboard!
(02:33:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Requests for critical force protection assets, including an aircraft carrier, AC-130s, tanks for rapid ground rescue, and counter-battery fire systems, were all denied by the Secretary of Defense for political reasons related to signaling mission completion.
  • Summary: The ground force requested several key assets for force protection and mission success, including an aircraft carrier to keep personnel off the airfield and tanks for rapid crash site response, but these were denied by the SECDEF. The rationale was political: the US was signaling to the American public that the conflict was winding down and armor was being withdrawn. The speaker argues that denying these assets, especially the AC-130s, directly contributed to the casualties suffered on October 3rd.
The Crash of Super 61
Copied to clipboard!
(02:45:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Super 61 was shot down by an RPG hitting the tail rotor gearbox while the aircraft was hovering slowly over the target area, leading to an immediate loss of tail rotor control and a fatal flat spin at low altitude.
  • Summary: Super 61, carrying Cliff Walcott and Donovan Briley, was hit by an RPG that struck the transmission gearbox beneath the tail rotor, causing it to disintegrate due to a lack of oil. Because the aircraft was moving slowly, the engine torque caused an immediate flat spin, which was exacerbated by the aircraft’s stabilator deploying downward as it decelerated. The pilot, Mike Durant, and his co-pilot survived the crash only because the aircraft landed on its wheels, despite still spinning violently.
Rescue Efforts and Command Decisions
Copied to clipboard!
(03:04:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Despite initial command denial based on triage logic, Delta operators Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon insisted on inserting to rescue the survivors of Super 61, leading to their own deaths.
  • Summary: After the crash, the initial command decision was to deny Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon permission to insert, prioritizing the bulk of the force over an isolated crash site where survivors were unlikely. Shughart and Gordon persisted, arguing they would lose the survivors if not inserted immediately, leading General Garrison to authorize their insertion. They successfully extracted Mike Durant and Ray Frank from the cockpit before being overrun.
Rescue by Super 62 Crew
Copied to clipboard!
(03:07:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Rescue personnel from Super 62, including Gary, successfully extracted Durant despite his severe injuries amidst heavy fire.
  • Summary: Jimmy Cohn and Mike Gofina, flying Super 62, inserted to rescue Durant. The extraction team managed to lift Durant, who weighed 185 pounds with a broken femur and back, without causing further injury during the firefight. Durant recognized Gary, one of the rescuers, and was given his MP5 while being positioned against a survival kit.
MP5 Malfunction and Gunfight
Copied to clipboard!
(03:09:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant’s MP5 repeatedly jammed during the ground defense, likely because its vertical magazine was damaged by the violent crash impact.
  • Summary: Durant’s MP5 kept jamming, forcing him to clear the weapon frequently while returning fire. He later theorized the vertical impact of the crash likely bent the magazine or damaged the rounds. Despite the malfunctions, he felt the fire was effective as it kept the Somalis from closing in further.
Gary’s Injury and Fire Support
Copied to clipboard!
(03:11:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant heard Gary call out that he was hit, which was soon followed by the realization that Gary sustained a mortal wound.
  • Summary: Durant recognized Gary’s voice when he heard him say he was hit, though it wasn’t desperate. He later understood that a subsequent round hit a gap in Gary’s body armor, causing a mortal wound. The majority of the effective fire suppression against the closing mob came from Gary and Randy, not Durant’s malfunctioning MP5.
Crew Chief Weapons Retrieval
Copied to clipboard!
(03:13:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Randy retrieved the crew chiefs’ M16s from their correctly stowed positions, confirming adherence to SOPs even in chaos.
  • Summary: Randy returned to the bird to retrieve the crew chiefs’ weapons, which were found exactly where standard operating procedures dictated. Randy returned quickly with two freshly loaded M16s, giving one to Durant, which confirmed Durant’s fear that Gary was down hard.
Final Stand and Capture
Copied to clipboard!
(03:15:25)
  • Key Takeaway: After Randy made his last stand, Durant ran out of ammunition in Gary’s weapon and resigned himself to capture, failing to remember his sidearm.
  • Summary: The shooting stopped, and Durant heard Somali voices closing in, realizing he was out of rounds in Gary’s weapon and having forgotten his own pistol. He accepted that this was how it would end, comparing the pandemonium to other extreme combat situations he had witnessed.
Initial Assault and Injuries
Copied to clipboard!
(03:17:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant initially misreported his severe facial injuries as being caused by a rifle butt-stroke to protect his families from the truth of being beaten by a comrade’s arm.
  • Summary: Durant believed he was initially going to be beaten to death, but the impact that smashed his face was heavy and soft, leading him to suspect it was a teammate’s arm. The trauma of the event caused him to initially describe the injury as a butt-stroke to shield the families from the reality of the assault.
Femur Evisceration During Robbery
Copied to clipboard!
(03:20:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant’s femur exited the back of his leg when captors violently pulled his boots off while he was severely injured.
  • Summary: While Somalis were attempting to remove his boots, the force applied to his leg caused his fractured femur to punch through the back of his leg, creating a large hole. He did not feel the pain at the time due to the overwhelming pain from his back injury.
Mark Bowden’s Intervention and Captivity
Copied to clipboard!
(03:23:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Mark Bowden’s reported action of firing warning shots convinced the mob to take Durant alive for captivity rather than immediate execution.
  • Summary: Bowden’s research indicated he fired shots in the air to gain control of the mob, leading to Durant being taken captive instead of killed. Durant was unaware of this intervention, as he could not see or understand the language spoken by his captors.
Ranger ID and Parading
Copied to clipboard!
(03:25:06)
  • Key Takeaway: A captor recognized Durant’s green Task Force Ranger access card and shouted, “Ranger, Ranger, you die, Somalia,” confirming the enemy knew his unit affiliation.
  • Summary: During the ransacking, a captor found Durant’s laminated green cardboard access pass and spoke English to identify him as a Ranger. Durant was then hoisted up and paraded through the streets, experiencing physical abuse while being unable to see due to a rag covering his head.
Out-of-Body Experience
Copied to clipboard!
(03:28:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant experienced a brief out-of-body sensation while being carried through the streets, which he attributes to either a spiritual intervention or a psychological defense mechanism against trauma.
  • Summary: Durant distinctly remembers looking down and seeing himself being carried, during which the pain vanished, describing it as a moment where God sent him back or his brain tricked him into believing the trauma was not real. This sensation lasted only a few seconds before he snapped back into his body.
Pocket Knife Discovery and Captor Indecision
Copied to clipboard!
(03:29:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant retained a pocket knife in a flipped-over pocket during the initial search, and the captors appeared disorganized about what to do with him next.
  • Summary: A pocket knife remained hidden because the pocket of his flight suit had flipped over during the initial search. The captors argued amongst themselves, suggesting they had not planned for taking a live prisoner, before hoisting him onto a truck.
Ground Transport and Octagonal Room
Copied to clipboard!
(03:31:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant was moved by ground transport to a secure, octagonal room where he could hear outside activity but not see, reminiscent of survival school training.
  • Summary: Adid’s people moved Durant to a second location, where he was placed in a room with ventilation holes high up, allowing him to hear but not see. He was chained up, but managed to slip out of the chain during the night due to profuse sweating.
Shot While Captive
Copied to clipboard!
(03:33:19)
  • Key Takeaway: While pretending to be chained, Durant was shot by a guard through a door crack, resulting in shrapnel entering his fractured femur.
  • Summary: A round fired through the door crack hit the ground near Durant, lodging in his left arm and sending shrapnel into his fractured femur leg. He burned his fingers trying to pull the hot round out, learning that a recently fired bullet remains hot.
Convoy Noise and Misinterpretation
Copied to clipboard!
(03:34:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant heard heavy gunfire and large caliber rounds passing nearby, initially believing it was a rescue force coming for him, but it turned out to be unrelated movement.
  • Summary: The sound of a convoy passing by led Durant to believe a reconnaissance bird had tracked him and a rescue was imminent. When the noise faded without intervention, he realized the convoy was simply passing by, not searching for him.
First Day of Captivity Sustenance
Copied to clipboard!
(03:36:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant was given a banana, water, and an old MRE on his first full day, with doctors later advising against eating the banana due to his injuries.
  • Summary: His captors provided minimal sustenance, including a banana which doctors later warned against due to its potassium content affecting his condition. He drank the foul water and ate the sun-bleached MRE to maintain his strength.
Interrogation and Political Questions
Copied to clipboard!
(03:42:34)
  • Key Takeaway: During interrogation filmed by a CNN cameraman, Durant deliberately wasted time explaining his rank (CW-3) and gave politically safe answers to avoid compromising US policy.
  • Summary: The captors, believing Durant was a Major, focused on political questions about the mission’s merit, which Durant deflected by stating he was a soldier who does what he is told. He answered that ‘innocent people being killed is not good,’ a statement he later regretted as it provided proof of life and accountability.
Red Cross Visit and Letter Home
Copied to clipboard!
(03:55:28)
  • Key Takeaway: The arrival of Red Cross representative Suzanne Hofstedter brought hope and allowed Durant to send a coded message to his unit via his letter.
  • Summary: Hofstedter’s visit was the first contact with a non-hostile person in five days, and she facilitated a letter home. Durant intentionally misspelled ‘femur’ and signed off with ‘NSDQ’ (Nightstalkers Don’t Quit), which his unit recognized as a sign of his survival and state of mind.
Propaganda and Radio Morale Boost
Copied to clipboard!
(03:54:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant received a transistor radio, which was crucial for morale, allowing him to listen to external broadcasts and learn that US forces were actively searching for him.
  • Summary: After asking for a radio, Durant received one and began listening to the Armed Forces Network and BBC, connecting him to the outside world. He later heard songs dedicated to him, confirming that Cliff and Donovan were safe.
Reporter Interviews and Political Fallout
Copied to clipboard!
(04:00:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Following the Red Cross visit, reporters interviewed Durant, leading him to state, ‘Something’s gone wrong here,’ which was used politically to justify the US withdrawal.
  • Summary: After the Red Cross visit, reporters from The Guardian interviewed Durant, who felt vulnerable and stated that ‘something’s gone wrong here.’ Durant believed this quote, combined with the images of bodies being dragged, politically forced the decision to pull out of Somalia.
Arrival of Reinforcements and AC-130
Copied to clipboard!
(04:05:40)
  • Key Takeaway: The arrival of Robert Oakley signaled a major shift, as previously denied assets like the AC-130 and carrier battle group suddenly materialized, proving they were available all along.
  • Summary: When Robert Oakley arrived to ‘straighten things out,’ the military presence immediately increased with tanks, the carrier group, and AC-130s. Durant heard the 105mm round from the AC-130, confirming that this crucial fire support was available but withheld until the political situation demanded it.
Mogadishu Fight Assessment
Copied to clipboard!
(04:10:32)
  • Key Takeaway: The fight in Mogadishu resulted in 18-19 US casualties but involved 175,000 rounds fired by Little Birds providing sole fire support.
  • Summary: Despite suffering 18 or 19 casualties, Durant argues the US forces did not lose the fight, having kicked the enemy significantly. Little Birds alone fired 175,000 rounds of ammunition providing fire support because no AC-130s, artillery, or mortar support was available. This lack of resources meant the ground forces were set up for heavy losses.
Remembering Fallen Comrades
Copied to clipboard!
(04:13:41)
  • Key Takeaway: The second death of a soldier occurs when their name is last spoken, emphasizing the duty to remember them by living fully.
  • Summary: Durant expressed deep sorrow for the families of the fallen, noting that the hole left by a lost comrade can never be filled. He referenced the philosophy that a soldier dies a second death when their name is never spoken again. Survivors are encouraged to live vibrantly, as the fallen would not want them to live miserably or depressed.
Gold Star Wife Perspective
Copied to clipboard!
(04:15:03)
  • Key Takeaway: A Gold Star wife advised that in offering condolences, presence matters more than words, as the bereaved often cannot recall specific statements.
  • Summary: Durant shared the story of his wife, Lisa, who is a Gold Star wife whose husband died in an MH-47 material failure crash. She shared that she could not remember anything specific anyone said to her after her husband died, but she knew they were there for her. This insight helps Durant navigate difficult conversations with other grieving families.
Journaling During Captivity
Copied to clipboard!
(04:19:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant secretly kept a detailed journal inside a Bible provided by his captors, using made-up symbols for security.
  • Summary: Durant kept a journal hidden inside a Bible given to him by Suzanne, which the Somalis mistook for religious reading. He used unique symbols and abbreviations so that if discovered, the contents would be indecipherable. This journal proved valuable for providing a completely accurate, event-by-event account during debriefings to help future operations.
Meeting with Somali Leaders
Copied to clipboard!
(04:21:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Adid sent Durant a letter requesting he become an advocate for forgiving the Somalis, which Durant rejected outright.
  • Summary: After his release, Durant met with a Somali envoy who presented him with a t-shirt symbolizing peace and a letter from Mohammed Farah Adid. Adid’s letter asked Durant to explain the ‘real experience’ to the American people and advocate for forgiveness. Durant refused, stating that the wounds from the losses were too deep to publicly endorse forgiveness for the captors.
Release and Post-Release Shock
Copied to clipboard!
(04:27:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant’s release involved a bizarre entourage and he learned of the deaths of close friends Cliffin Donovan and Herb Rodriguez immediately after regaining consciousness.
  • Summary: Durant was released within 48 hours following a threat, exchanged for a Nigerian prisoner, and transported in a chaotic scene involving a poorly managed litter and media presence. Upon reaching the UN compound and undergoing surgery, he was informed by his company commander that close friends Donovan and Rodriguez had also been lost. He immediately refused a photo opportunity with President Clinton due to the accumulated loss and anger.
Critique of ‘Surviving Black Hawk Down’
Copied to clipboard!
(04:35:46)
  • Key Takeaway: The Netflix documentary ‘Surviving Black Hawk Down’ is viewed as a betrayal that twisted the narrative to make Americans seem like villains.
  • Summary: Durant expressed extreme anger over the Netflix documentary, noting that it failed to interview many key figures and twisted the narrative to portray the US forces negatively. He was shocked that the documentary failed to mention the Medal of Honor recipients, Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon, who earned the award for the same act. Durant felt the production packaged the story in a way that was dead wrong and anti-American.
Political Campaign Disillusionment
Copied to clipboard!
(04:40:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Durant’s Senate campaign was sabotaged by established political figures who used dishonest tactics to protect their preferred candidates.
  • Summary: Durant initially ran for Senate believing he could make a difference but found the political fight unfair, impacting his personal credibility. Key figures like Mitch McConnell and Senator Shelby’s surrogate actively worked to force him out of the race to ensure Katie Britt’s success over Mo Brooks. A soundbite from a non-attribution briefing was maliciously twisted to falsely portray him as anti-Second Amendment, effectively tanking his campaign.
Special Ops Warrior Foundation Mission
Copied to clipboard!
(05:00:42)
  • Key Takeaway: The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (specialops.org) provides cradle-to-career funding for the children of fallen or severely wounded special operators, including support for trade schools.
  • Summary: The Special Operations Warrior Foundation supports the children of fallen special operators, including those killed by suicide, ensuring 100% funding for education from tutoring to graduate school. The foundation also supports children pursuing vocational trades, recognizing that college is not the only path. Currently, the organization supports 284 students, having funded over 2,000 since its inception.