Iraq is next!?

[TCO]

*Looks at defeated Spaniards*

"Oops!"

[joespaniel]

I was a Spec4 and the Commanders Radio Operator for A Co. 2-14 Inf. 10th Mountain Division. We were the third rescue force on October 3-4 and made it to the second crash site to relieve Task Force Ranger.

There was about 500 total US combat troops in that battle against somewhere between 5000 - 10,000 Somoli militia and gunmen. It lasted from 4pm Oct3 to 7am Oct4, 18 Americans died and 88 were wounded. The Red Cross estimated 300 Somoli dead and over 800 wounded the next day, but it was probably much higher, and civilian casualties were also heavy. The unavoidable result of combat in an urban area. It sickened me.

I read Blackhawk down and two other books about the battle. They are more or less acuate, some details changed or left out, but basicaly true. It was the worst infantry battle, up close combat, for US soldiers since VietNam.

I am proud to have been there to help get our guys out of a tight one, but in hindsight wish I never joined in the first place. A contadiction I know, its hard to explain. Lets just say I wouldnt do it again.

I like my boring life now better.

[Ted Striker]

Good work Joe.

[joespaniel]

FG - Now that I know we are neighbors , do you watch Fox6 news?

A few weeks ago I did a bunch of interviews that aired at 10pm mondays after the World Series games about Somolia, and Al-Quaida.

I was so nervous I almost wet myself.

[faded glory]

Omg......

are you serouis? I vaguely remember watching somthing along those lines around midnight. Of course there were lots of Al-Queda shows on every other network.

All Osama All the time

[faded glory]

Being from Milwaukee I have to ask the wisconsin question.

What Beer do you drink?

I loveeeeeee that Leieinienkugels stuff(sp?)

[Evil_Eric_4]

Hey Joe

You didnt happen to do any interviews for the History Channel's documentary of the action did you?

Cause if you did then I deffinately saw you.

They had quit a few interviews with different Rangers but cant recall much about members of the rescue team.

Everyone that couldnt read the book (sadly I dont seem to have the time to read books much anymore ) should try to catch this Program.

And again -Excellent Job

Its guys like you and those you left behind thats gonna win these times thru for us all.
And all America will be Proud-----

[TCO]

Good job, Joe.

[Guardian]

Indeed good going, Joe.

What really sucked... well, the whole thing sucked, I guess, but what really sucked about that one was that those guys who went in first were left hanging out to dry all night before somebody got to them, and then many of them went home to a country who'd rather not know anything about it...