Black Hawk Down: Animal Hunting and Barbaric BBQ in Somalia

The infamous scene in the movie Black Hawk Down where Delta operators shot and barbecued a water buffalo from a helicopter has long been a subject of debate. Was it real or was it a Hollywood embellishment?

Military Regulations

The U.S. military has strict rules regarding the treatment of animals, especially in combat zones. Shooting livestock for food is considered unusual and could be seen as wasteful or unnecessary, unless there are extreme circumstances. These rules are part of a larger set of guidelines that aim to protect animal welfare while ensuring mission success.

Ethical Considerations

The military aims to maintain good relations with local populations. Harming livestock could provoke anger and resentment from the community, potentially complicating military operations. In a combat situation, soldiers often focus on mission objectives rather than hunting for food. The ethical implications of such actions are thus significant for the broader mission and the unit's reputation.

Operational Context

While the scene in Black Hawk Down adds a rugged survivalist element to the film, it is more of a Hollywood embellishment than a reflection of standard military practice. The book that the movie was based on, Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden, and numerous accounts by former TF Ranger members suggest that hunting for animals did indeed occur during the mission.

Delta operators would sometimes use helicopters to hunt for warthogs and gazelles for training and morale purposes. However, the question of whether these hunts included actual barbecues is more complex. Some sources indicate that barbecues did occur, but they were canceled due to health concerns. One Delta operator, Brad Halling, mentioned that the animals were field-dressed before being brought back, which made it difficult for the unit doctors to do a full inspection. Therefore, the health and safety of the unit were prioritized over the cultural and symbolic aspects of the hunt.

Real-Life Accounts and Souvenirs

Statements from Delta operator Brad Halling and other Tai Force Ranger members have provided more insight into the events of the mission in Somalia. SFC Brad Halling, for example, wore a necklace made of boar teeth, and another operator, SFC Earl Fillmore, glued boar tusks to his helmet. These items were not for consumption but rather as souvenirs and a way to remember the event. Additionally, at least one warthog head was kept as a memento, as evidenced by a photograph from Mark Bowden's book.

Earl Fillmore, the youngest Delta operator ever selected, was 24 when he deployed to Somalia. He was tragically killed at the Super 6-1 crash site while attempting to rescue the helicopter's crewman. He was 28. SFC Brad Halling, the third Delta sniper on Super 6-2, also managed to recover and continue his military career. He is now a sergeant major and owns a whiskey distillery with his wife, a fellow veteran of JSOC command. He shares his experiences on Instagram, providing a window into the culture of these elite operators.

Conclusion

While the scenes in Black Hawk Down are memorable and add to the film's realism, the actual events were more nuanced. Hunting for animals did occur, and souvenirs were kept, but the question of whether they ate the meat remains unresolved due to health and safety concerns. The incident highlights the complex interplay between military regulations, ethical considerations, and the realities of warfare.

For those interested in understanding the true nature of the events in Somalia, the accounts from military veterans and the book Black Hawk Down provide valuable insights. These sources help to separate the Hollywood dramatization from the real-life experiences of the Delta operators.