[Calvin Coolidge]

The Black Hawk raid that led to the deaths of 18 Americans was supposed to be just that: a raid. Get in, take prisoners, get out, all in under 1/2 hour. None of the Rangers even brought their night vision goggles, as they expected to be back home well before dark. The idea that the force would be pinned down and need rescue by ground forces was not even considered. Pakistani heavy tanks, and Malaysian APCs were available, and were eventually used, but it took time to organize. Not for political reasons, but just because Army command didn't see the need to have the force on standby because they did not forsee how badly things might go wrong.

[stalin]

Some heads should have rolled in washinton for that. In the military as well. I think that Warren Christopher resigned because of this. There should have been some courtmarshals as well.