During the months of Dec 23 - Apr 2024 we honored 8 USAF Security Forces Fallen Heroes during the World Snocross Series. Here is a short video in our attempt to highlight the tribute efforts. Thank you to all who took part in helping made this happen! #wewillneverforget
The Battle of Mogadishu also known as the Black Hawk Down Incident, was part of Operation Gothic Serpent. It was fought on 3–4 October 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia, between forces of the United States—supported by UNOSOM II—against the forces of the Somali National Alliance (SNA) and armed irregular citizens of south Mogadishu.
The battle was part of the two-year-old Somali Civil War. The United Nations had initially sent troops to alleviate the 1992 famine, but then began trying to establish democracy and restore a central government. In June 1993, U.N. peacekeepers suffered their deadliest day in decades when the Pakistani contingent was attacked while inspecting a Somali National Alliance weapons-storage site. UNOSOM II blamed SNA leader Mohammed Farah Aidid and launched a manhunt. In July 1993, U.S. forces in Mogadishu raided the Abdi House in search of Aidid, killing many elders and prominent members of Aidid's clan, the Habr Gidr. The raid led many Mogadishu residents to join the fight against UNOSOM II, and the following month, Aidid and the SNA deliberately attacked American personnel for the first time. This, in turn, led President Clinton to dispatch Task Force Ranger to capture Aidid.
On 3 October 1993, U.S. forces planned to seize two of Aidid's top lieutenants during a meeting deep in the city. The raid was only intended to last an hour, but morphed into an overnight standoff and rescue operation extending into the daylight hours of the next day. While the goal of the operation was achieved, it was a pyrrhic victory and spiraled into the deadly Battle of Mogadishu. As the operation was ongoing, Somali forces shot down three American Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters using RPG-7s, with two crashing deep in hostile territory. A desperate defense of the two downed helicopters began and fighting lasted through the night to defend the survivors of the crashes. In the morning, a UNOSOM II armored convoy fought their way to the besieged soldiers and withdrew, incurring further casualties but rescuing the survivors.
No battle since the Vietnam War had killed so many U.S. troops. Casualties included 18 dead American soldiers and 73 wounded, with Malaysian forces suffering one death and seven wounded, and Pakistani forces two injuries. Somali casualties were far higher; most estimates are between 133 and 700 dead.
Pro +30 Snocross Racer Devin Denman pilots in the No. 72 Artic Cat Snowmobile in the International Series of Champions (ISOC) Snocross Series. In conjunction with his race effort, he supports Operation Vet NOW Inc. (OVN) to raise support for veteran suicide awareness. Devin himself serves in the United States Army as a Platoon Sergeant.
OVN leads a program titled the OVN Fallen Heroes Tribute Project. This portion of the organization's mission is to honor those killed in combat by having their names shared and stories told to ensure they are never forgotten. To date, OVN has honored nearly 400 fallen heroes across the country.
One of the unique ways the heroes are honored is through the OVN Ambassador Athlete team. Devin joins 35 Ambassador Athletes from various sports categories, all veterans themselves and all involved in honoring U.S. service members.
This season, he focuses on honoring three soldiers killed in action during Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu, Somalia, 3 Oct 1993. The #72 sled will carry the names of CW4 Clifton P. "Elvis" Wolcott, CW3 Donovan "Bull" Briley, and SSG Daniel D. Busch, all part of the crew of Super 61 that was shot down.
"On October 3 and 4, 1993, U.S. forces set out on a snatch-and-grab mission to arrest two of Aidid’s lieutenants. Altogether, the operation would involve 19 aircraft, 12 vehicles and around 160 troops.
At about 4:20 pm on October 3, 1993, one of the Black Hawks, Super 61, piloted by CW3 Cliff “Elvis” Wolcott and CW3 Donovan “Bull” Briley, was shot down by an RPG-7. Both pilots were killed in the resulting crash and two of the crew chiefs were severely wounded.
Staff Sergeant Daniel Busch and Sergeant Jim Smith, both Special Operations snipers, survived the crash and began defending the site. An MH-6, Star 41, piloted by CW3 Karl Maier and CW5 Keith Jones, landed nearby. Jones left the helicopter and carried Busch to the safety of the helicopter, while Maier provided cover fire from the cockpit repeatedly denying orders to lift off while his co-pilot was not in the Bird. Jones and Maier evacuated Busch and Smith. Busch later died of his injuries, having been shot four times while defending the crash site."
Story Credits: Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation
Pro+30 & Pro-Lite Racer & Army Platoon SGT Devin Denman
Johnny is dedicating his year of competition in Moto-cross to honor his 23 fellow Marines KIA in Fallujah during Operation Al-Fajr.
Jim is dedicating his year of competition in Jui-Jitsu to honor his 23 fellow Marines KIA in Fallujah during Operation Al-Fajr
Campaign to honor AF EOD Airman KIA in Iraq.
Special tribute with Denmin Racing, honoring hometown fallen hero PFC Edward "Jim" Herrgott, KIA in Iraq, in his hometown of Shakopee, MN.
Honoring 7 fallen heroes we lost 20 years ago.
Our female service members are a vital part of our military. We were honored to pay tribute to 7 women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Thank you Pro Snowbike Racer Jackie Riess for helping us honor our 7 heroes. #WeWillNeverForget
SMSgt(R) Don Prescott competed in the Ironman Arizona event on 21 Nov with an important agenda! Prescott, a Combat Veteran & Flight Engineer on the MH-53M Helicopter & CV-22B Osprey, honoring his fellow aircrew members killed in combat operations in Afghanistan while serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). #Wewillneverforget
Meeting Veterans Needs, through endless Opportunities, to fortify their health & Wellness.
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