First operation "At 0300 local time on Monday (2230 GMT) two Chinooks were deployed to take special forces into the battle zone. One helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and was forced down. As it lifted off, the American sailor fell out. The damaged helicopter landed a short distance away. The second helicopter also came under attack and left the area. It was flown to where the first had landed and picked up the crew and passengers. The Navy SEAL was found to be missing during a headcount. The men from the downed helicopter were taken to a safe zone. The second aircraft returned to land its special forces and look for the missing fighter. Second operation At 0900 local time the second mission, again with two helicopters, began in the same area.. One helicopter was hit by suspected machine-gun-fire and a rocket-propelled grenade. It crash-landed. Troops from the helicopter became involved in a gun battle with fighters on the ground. Six US personnel were killed and 11 injured in shooting that lasted three or four hours. The second helicopter, also under fire, disgorged its special forces and left the area. Rescues were attempted for at least 12 hours. When rescuers were finally able to reach the dead and injured, they also found the body of Petty Officer Roberts. Another soldier, Chief Warrant Officer Stanley Harriman, was killed the day before. General Rosa said 40 troops had been injured, but 18 had already returned to duty. Seven of the dead were flown to Germany ahead of a return to the US. Back to Frontline Vol. 3 Iss. 1 Table of Contents Back to Frontline List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2002 by Rolf Hedges This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com