James Lechner | Official Preview Lieutenant Colonel James Lechner is a 27-year U.S. Army veteran and former Army Ranger who fought with Task Force Ranger during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, the operation later portrayed in Black Hawk Down. In this episode, Lechner gives a firsthand account of the mission, the downing of the Black Hawks, fighting through the streets of Mogadishu, and being wounded in combat. He also reflects on his later deployments to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, his role during the Battle of Ramadi, work alongside the CIA and U.S. Special Operations Command, and his recent experience in Ukraine, including the rapid evolution of drone warfare and the lessons shaping modern combat. @lechner_jim