re: Watched Blackhawk Down again the other night

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but were there even any AC-130s in Somalia at the time of the "Blackhawk Down" raid?

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I don't believe so.

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Garrison had requested armor and add'l air support but was overruled by the Pentagon or White House.

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This is correct.

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there was a previous helicopter shootdown that killed 3 or 4 U.S. crew before the two depicted in the movie.

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Yes - Aidid's men shot down a helicopter of the 101st Airborne (Airmobile) on 25 September, resulting in 3 KIA.

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I know there was also an earlier incident where a UN ground force was attacked and ~20 Indian (or Pakastani or Bangdelis) troops were killed.

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On 5 June, 24 Pakistani troops (on behalf of the UN mission) were killed by (allegedly) Aidid's men.