The Longest Month

The Longest Month is a documentary film that delves into the deadliest period in U.S. Army Aviation history since the Vietnam War. The film is a collection of four intense and personal stories of the brave soldiers who fought in the Battle of MogadISHU, also known as the Battle of Black Hawk Down. This pivotal battle took place on October 3-4, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia. The story begins on a sweltering hot morning in October 1993, when a team of U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force operatives were inserted into Mogadishu, Somalia, to capture two high-ranking lieutenants of the notorious Somali warlord Mohammed Farrah Aidid. Known as Operation Gothic Serpent, the mission aimed to neutralize the enemy leader and stabilize the country, which was plunged into chaos due to civil war and famine. The initial insertion went smoothly, and the U.S. forces quickly apprehended two of Aidid's lieutenants. However, the mission took a devastating turn when a U.S. Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in a hail of gunfire. The crew managed to land the chopper safely, but the situation quickly deteriorated as Somali militiamen closed in on the downed aircraft. In a series of interviews with the soldiers who witnessed and participated in the battle, The Longest Month brings the intensity and chaos of that fateful day to life. The soldiers' testimonies paint a vivid picture of the mayhem that ensued, with bullets flying left and right, and the sounds of screams and gunfire echoing through the streets of Mogadishu. As the U.S. forces scrambled to secure the downed helicopter, they faced stiff resistance from the Somali militiamen. The situation grew even more precarious when another U.S. Black Hawk helicopter, code-named "Super 64," was hit, resulting in the loss of 18 U.S. soldiers. The crew of Super 64, including crew chief Chief Warrant Officer Cliff Wolcott, was killed instantly, and the incident marked a turning point in the battle. The following hours were a grueling and deadly fight for survival, as the U.S. forces fought to extract the bodies and secure the area. The Longest Month documents the courageous and selfless actions of the soldiers who risked everything to save their comrades, including the heroic efforts of Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant Gary I. Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy D. Shugart, who were posthumously awarded the medal for their extraordinary bravery. The film also sheds light on the human toll of the battle, as the soldiers grappled with the consequences of losing their fellow comrades in action. In a series of poignant interviews, the surviving soldiers describe the aftermath of the battle, including the trauma, grief, and guilt that they experienced in the days and months that followed. The Longest Month is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Mogadishu. By sharing their stories and actual footage from the events, the film pays tribute to the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and brings the events of that fateful day back to life. Through the soldiers' testimonies and the raw, unedited footage from the battle, The Longest Month offers a visceral and unflinching look at the horrors of war. The film is a timely reminder of the heavy cost of conflict and the enduring legacy of the brave men and women who serve in the U.S. military.