The Colt CAR-15
The Colt CAR-15 was the first Carbine version of the M16 thus branding it Car-15. It was created for Special Forces fighting in Vietnam. Later on Colt created a CAR-15 survival rifle for pilots if they were shot down. A problem with this gun was that it was too loud. It would deafen the soldier firing it since it was a carbine. When fired it was too bright instantly giving away position, so it was suitable for special operations. Colt eventually tried to fix this problem by installing a longer flash suppressor. This became the Colt Commando Carbine. These were the main weapons used in Somalia. Although M-16s and M-4s were used these CAR-15s were issued to the Delta Force Soldiers.
In the Operation these weapons were effective. The CAR-15 had 3 burst, auto, semi, and single shot. Automatic is when the gun fires as long the trigger is held. Semi- Auto is when the gun fires in small bursts, and single shot is one shot every time the trigger is pulled. These CAR-15s were also equipped with M203 grenade launchers. These were useful when Soldiers had to take down Technicals. Technicals are enemy assault vehicles like a truck with a turret in the back. The CAR-15 is similar to the M4 because of its short size. It can be outfitted for any type of mission except stealth since it was too loud. Its ammo was 5.56 mm but now it may be used with drums like the Thompson.
Black Hawk
The MH-60K is capable of operating in based facilities, remote sites, and ocean going vessels. The MH-60K is a twin-engine utility helicopter based on the basic UH-60 airframe, but it was developed specifically for the mission, Operation Restore Hope. This includes aerial refueling capability, advanced suite of aircraft survivability equipment, and navigation system. The improvement of the navigation system included multi-mode radar so that it is capable on pinpointing navigation in various environments and under rough conditions.
The MH-60L Direct Action Penetrator, also called DAP, is another highly modified version of the US Army Black Hawk design just for this operation use. This has almost all of the modifications that the MH-60K consist of and it was customized to mount a variety of offensive weapons systems. This has the capability of carrying out direct action (DA) as an attack helicopter or has the ability to re arrange for troop assault operations. Also, DAP is capable of controlling all the missions, even during the day, night, and in poor weather.
Humvee
In March 1983 the United States Army granted the AM General Division of LTV Aerospace and Defense a 1.2 billion dollar contract to produce a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, pronounced Humvee. They had to generate 55,000 Humvees over a five year period. The US Army ordered an additional 15,000 vehicles thus increasing the order to 70,000 Humvees and 1.6 billion dollars. This was the largest contract for tactical vehicles the US ever approved. Officially Humvees were known as the M998 Series, more famously known as the Hummer. This 4x4 multipurpose vehicle filled the requirement for a tactical advantage in maneuvering and fighting on ground. It was quick and able to be outfitted for any job. The Humvee was able to be equipped with many different machine guns and grenade launchers. It came in 15 types including ambulances and troop carriers. In Muqdisho the vehicle was tested to its limits.
The convoy heading to the target zone and the one rescuing the soldiers was composed of Humvees. These tactical vehicles proved their worth by keeping the soldiers in them alive as long as they did. It was to take automatic 7.62 rounds and even some rocket propelled grenades demonstrating its durability in the battlefield. Its survivability was tested when it had to go through mobs of angry Somalis while taking fire and road blocks. The Humvee was able to bring home the surviving soldiers and go back into battle.
Sources:
Popenker, Max. "Colt CAR-15 / XM-177 Commando (USA) ." world.guns.ru. 12 Jul 2006 .
"MH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Fact Sheet." U.S. Army Special Operations Command. 18 Jul 2006.
Haeger, Michael. "History of Humvee." www.real4wd.com. 3/25/05. 18 Jul 2006 .
