Todd Blackburn’s Long Recovery

This flow traces Blackburn’s fall from the helicopter and the difficult evacuation that began his recovery.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Fall

A Fatal-Looking Accident Missed the Rope Todd Blackburn fell from the fast rope while the Rangers descended into Mogadishu. Matt Eversmann initially feared he had been shot, but the injury came from the fall. Immediate Treatment Medic Mark Good began supporting Blackburn's breathing while other medical personnel stabilized him. His condition demanded evacuation even as the landing zone came under fire.

Carried Through Fire

A Dangerous Evacuation No Vehicle at the Position The ground convoy could not reach Blackburn's location, so his comrades carried him toward it in short, exposed bursts. They paused repeatedly to fire and move him again. A Narrow Escape Casey Joyce ran to find a vehicle, and a small group eventually carried Blackburn to a waiting humvee. The evacuation diverted scarce vehicles and personnel from the main operation.

The Return to Base

Out of the Streets A Violent Route The escort convoy carried Blackburn through barricades and crowds while its occupants fired back at attackers. Dominick Pilla was killed during the journey. A Long Recovery Ahead Blackburn reached medical care alive, but his evacuation had exposed the wider failure of the raid's assumptions. His survival began a difficult recovery while the battle continued without the vehicles that had taken him out.

October 3, 1993, shortly after liftoff

October 3, 1993, late afternoon

October 3, 1993, evening