Mike Durant speaking at Tyndall Air Force Base in November 2002
Biography
Durant was the pilot of Super Six Four, the second UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to crash on the October 3, 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. The helicopter was attacked by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) and although the aircraft remained stable, a few minutes later it began to malfunction, which led to its crash about a mile southwest of the raid's target.
He retired recently but offers conferences to military personnel about helicopter maneuvering and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations.
Durant also offers talks about the account of the raid and the experiences he had as a hostage. He personally offered an extensive chat to actor Ron Eldard, who interpreted Durant in the movie Black Hawk Down — which chronicles the events of the raid.
In 2003, Durant published a book titled In The Company of Heroes in which he chronicles his military career and his captivity.
Durant was a member of the Bush-Cheney '04 Veterans Team.
Works
Durant, Michael & Hartov, Steven. In The Company of Heroes. ISBN 0399150609. Putnam Pub Group. May 8, 2003.
MikeDurant, the pilot of a U.S Army Special Operations Black Hawk helicopter, was shot down and captured by followers of the Somali faction leader, Mohammed Aidid on 3 October 1993.
Durant told the ICRC in a recent interview that he would never forget the moment that the delegate walked through the door of where he was being held and the emotional impact the visit provoked.
Durant says he left Somalia with a great respect for the work ICRC delegates do and that he understands that the ICRC's neutrality has to be maintained if it is to continue to help those detained, as he once was, during the course of armed conflict.
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