Ep. 124 – Jeff Struecker (Ranger/Black Hawk Down)

As a young Army Ranger, Jeff Struecker saw combat early, beginning with the operation to capture Manuel Noriega in Panama in 1989. But, it wasn't until his experiences during Operation Gothic Serpent - the op to capture Somali faction leader Mohamed Farrah Aidid - that combat took on a new meaning - a more violent and vicious meaning. Better known by its book and film title, "Black Hawk Down", Struecker shares with us his experiences fighting on the ground in Mogadishu, on 3 and 4 October, 1993, in a running gun battle, the likes of which the U.S. military hadn't seen in years. He talks about how he was able to transform fear into decisive action, and head back out into the embattled city to help save his fellow Rangers, when he most certainly knew he was heading out on a "suicide mission." After Somalia, Struecker would go on to become an officer and chaplain, serving in Airborne and Ranger units. He also served more than a dozen combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hear his incredibly inspiring story on this latest edition of HAZARD GROUND!

www.jeffstruecker.com | "The Road to Unafraid"

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