As US Rangers descended upon Mogadishu in helicopters, their mission to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid's top lieutenants quickly turned into a disaster. What was supposed to be a quick in-and-out operation escalated into a 15-hour battle, with Somali militiamen pouring gunfire on the outnumbered Americans. As the Rangers fought to escape, two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down, leaving the soldiers stranded and vulnerable. In the end, 18 American soldiers and over 350 Somalis lost their lives, with many more wounded.