Mike Durant – 160th SOAR Pilot Who Survived Black Hawk Down and 11 Days as a POW | SRS #259

Published on December 4, 2025
0

This video features Mike Durant, a retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 and pilot from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), discussing his experiences, most notably surviving the 'Black Hawk Down' incident in Mogadishu, Somalia. Durant details his career path from early life and inspiration to join the Army, through flight school, his assignments in Korea and Panama, and his eventual selection into the elite 160th SOAR. He recounts the development of armed Blackhawk capabilities and his involvement in operations like Just Cause and Prime Chance, culminating in his harrowing experience during Operation Gothic Serpent.

Quick Summary

Mike Durant, a retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 and pilot from the 160th SOAR, is a survivor of the 'Black Hawk Down' incident and spent 11 days as a POW. He discusses his career, including flight school, joining the elite Night Stalkers, developing armed Blackhawk capabilities, and his experiences in combat operations.

Chapters

  1. 00:05:00Introduction and Guest Welcome
  2. 00:56:00Early Life and Motivation for Military Service
  3. 01:39:00Joining the Army and Flight School Experience
  4. 02:35:00Assignment in Korea and Flight Hours
  5. 03:19:00Joining the 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers)
  6. 04:06:00Development of Armed Blackhawk Capabilities
  7. 04:51:00Operation Just Cause and Combat FARP
  8. 05:33:00Operation Prime Chance and SOCOM's First Combat Action
  9. 05:41:00Camaraderie and Mission Focus in the 160th
  10. 06:02:00The 'Black Hawk Down' Incident: Operation Gothic Serpent
  11. 08:06:00Survival and Faith During Captivity
  12. 10:33:00Reflections on Survival and Second Chances
  13. 13:56:00Early Life and Growing Up in New Hampshire
  14. 17:01:00Inspiration to Become a Helicopter Pilot
  15. 20:25:00Enlistment and Military Intelligence Role
  16. 23:10:00Pursuing Flight School from Panama
  17. 26:15:00Challenges and Lessons from Flight School
  18. 28:35:00First Assignment in Korea and Logging Flight Time
  19. 31:54:00Hearing About the 160th SOAR
  20. 34:44:00Joining the 160th SOAR and Early Development
  21. 37:11:00Green Platoon Training and Assessment
  22. 40:12:00First Training Mission: Thailand with ST6
  23. 42:43:00Operation Prime Chance: Persian Gulf Operations
  24. 53:31:00Post-Operation Prime Chance Reflections
  25. 54:04:00Growth and Camaraderie of the 160th SOAR
  26. 58:41:00Development of Armed Blackhawks
  27. 13:05:00The Experience of Being Carried Through the Streets
  28. 13:23:00Gratitude for Survival and Second Life
  29. 14:02:00Childhood in New Hampshire
  30. 16:12:00Loss of Motivation in High School
  31. 17:01:00Encounter with an Army Helicopter Pilot
  32. 19:45:00Recruiter Interaction and Decision to Join Army
  33. 20:25:00Defense Language Institute and Panama Assignment
  34. 22:43:00Regret Over Missing Airborne School
  35. 23:10:00Applying for Flight School from Panama
  36. 24:12:00Mindset Shift in Flight School
  37. 25:02:00Assignment to the Black Hawk
  38. 26:15:00Flight School Challenges: Soloing and Mid-Air Collision
  39. 27:32:00Hovering and Instrument Flying Difficulties
  40. 28:14:00Class Throughput and Dropouts
  41. 28:35:00Initial Assignment in Korea: Medevac vs. Aerosault
  42. 29:58:00Unit Trainer Role and DMZ Operations
  43. 31:06:00Family Visit and Flying Along the DMZ
  44. 31:54:00Hearing About the 160th SOAR in a Bar
  45. 33:09:00The Birth of the 160th SOAR
  46. 34:44:00Joining the 160th SOAR at Fort Campbell
  47. 35:50:00Robust Selection and Training Process
  48. 37:11:00Green Platoon: The First Formal Training Class
  49. 38:35:00Challenges of Land Navigation with NVGs
  50. 39:38:00Receiving the Beret from General Daily
  51. 40:12:00First Training Mission: Thailand with ST6
  52. 41:44:00Difference Between 101st and Special Operations Units
  53. 42:43:00Operation Prime Chance: Persian Gulf Mining Operations
  54. 45:41:00Challenges of Flying in Sandstorms Over Water
  55. 46:30:00Landing on Tight Oil Platforms: 'Thunderdome'
  56. 47:15:00Night Vision Goggle Technology and Low-Level Flight
  57. 49:51:00Risks of Overwater Low-Level Flying
  58. 50:20:00Discussion with Allan Mack
  59. 53:31:00Operation Prime Chance: No Fatalities
  60. 54:04:00Unit Size and Camaraderie of the 160th SOAR
  61. 55:55:00The 160th's Customers: Special Operations Units
  62. 56:23:00Customer-Driven Training Rotations
  63. 56:51:00Standby Mission and Rapid Response Capability
  64. 58:03:00Prime Chance: First Combat Action by US SOCOM
  65. 58:41:00Developing Armed Blackhawks with Cliff Walcott
  66. 60:07:00Primitive Design Process for Armed Blackhawks
  67. 61:48:00Early Aiming Systems: Grease Pencils
  68. 62:09:00Learning Attack Helicopter Skills On the Fly
  69. 63:21:00Operation Just Cause (Blue Spoon): Panama Invasion
  70. 64:02:00Mission in Just Cause: FARP Bird Supporting Rio Airfield Seizure
  71. 66:47:00Overloaded Blackhawk Takeoff During Just Cause
  72. 67:39:00Encountering Anti-Aircraft Fire During Just Cause
  73. 69:58:00Apache Mechanical Issues During Just Cause
  74. 70:41:00Regret Over Not Engaging Anti-Aircraft Gun
  75. 71:13:00Rangers Hit but No Birds Lost

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Mike Durant's role in the 'Black Hawk Down' incident?

Mike Durant was a Chief Warrant Officer 4 and pilot with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) during Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu, Somalia. His helicopter was shot down, leading to his capture and 11 days as a POW.

How did Mike Durant become a helicopter pilot?

Durant was inspired by an early experience flying with an Army helicopter pilot. He joined the Army, attended flight school, and eventually earned a slot flying the UH-60 Black Hawk, a highly sought-after aircraft at the time.

What is the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR)?

The 160th SOAR, also known as the 'Night Stalkers,' is an elite US Army unit specializing in special operations aviation support. They are known for their proficiency in night operations, complex missions, and operating advanced aircraft like the Black Hawk.

What challenges did Mike Durant face during his captivity?

During his 11 days as a POW after the 'Black Hawk Down' incident, Durant faced extreme danger, with no guarantee of survival. He drew strength from his faith and family, focusing on taking one step at a time to endure the ordeal.

What was Mike Durant's contribution to armed helicopter development?

Durant was instrumental in the development of armed Blackhawk capabilities within the 160th SOAR. He worked with colleagues to design and integrate weapons systems, transforming the helicopter into an attack platform for special operations missions.

More General Videos You Might Like

More from Shawn Ryan Show

View all →