FROM THE PRODUCERS OF CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SERIES "LOCKED UP ABROAD," NEW SERIES "NO MAN LEFT BEHIND" SHEDS LIGHT ON THE MODERN WAR HEROES, STRANDED IN ENEMY TERRITORY, WHO TOOK SURVIVAL INTO THEIR OWN HANDS
In Premiere Episode, The Real Black Hawk Down, Soldiers Are Reunited for the First Time on Camera as They Recount the Extraordinary Story Behind the Devastating Attack That Sparked a Best-Selling Book and Feature Film
(PASADENA, C.A. - Jan. 6, 2016) To be trapped behind enemy lines is every soldier's worst nightmare: a situation all fighters train for, few experience and even fewer survive. From the producers of National Geographic Channel's critically acclaimed Locked Up Abroad and Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers, new series No Man Left Behind combines gripping personal testimony with vivid reenactments and archival footage to shed light on the stories of modern war heroes who overcame incredible odds in some of the most hostile environments on earth. No Man Left Behind, produced by Raw TV, will premiere in spring 2016 on National Geographic Channel in 171 countries in 45 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com or our press site www.foxflash.com, or follow us on Twitter using @NGC_PR.
Pilots shot down in hostile territory, Army units who strayed into the kill zone and Special Forces on covert operations that spiraled dramatically out of control - in their own words, these heroes share their incredible and deeply personal tales of valor and survival. Gritty and visceral dramatic scenes combine with archival footage to deliver an all-too-real perspective on some of the most memorable and tragic war stories of modern time. And, a glimpse into the survivors' current lives reveals how these battle stories stay with them forever, haunting their present and shaping their lives. Wherever these survivors are, moments in everyday life can trigger vivid memories and emotions from the past.
In the special premiere episode, No Man Left Behind: The Real Black Hawk Down tells the extraordinary true-life story of the downing of two Black Hawk helicopters during a deadly battle in Mogadishu between U.S. forces and Somali militia that inspired a best-selling book and feature film. Reunited for the first time on camera, the pilot of the downed helicopter and two of the soldiers involved in the battle recount the intense details of one of the most horrific scenes in U.S. military history since the Vietnam War.
In powerful detail, former Sgt. Randy Ramaglia, former Staff Sgt. Keni Thomas and former Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant describe their terrifying battle for life in the 1993 peacekeeping mission gone horribly wrong. The three men were among the 150 elite U.S. soldiers - made up of the Delta Force and U.S. Army Rangers - who came under unexpected attack by Somali forces and had to fight for their lives.
Ramaglia and Thomas describe the terrifying, brutal night they spent combating enemy militia and contemplating their uncertain fate before making it to safety. Durant, who piloted one of the downed helicopters and was held captive for 11 torturous days, reveals the emotional, physical and psychological effects of the ordeal.
He recalls the time of the crash: "This was the most terrifying moment of my entire life. Time seemed to stand still. I couldn't move. I could barely breathe. If they attacked me with knives and machetes, I didn't know how much pain I could endure before my mind would just shut down. Death was on its way. I could hear their shouts and their voices getting louder and louder."
Additional episodes in the six-part series include the story of Lt. Col. Dale Zelko, whose Nighthawk stealth fighter was shot down over Serbia during a NATO mission; British Special Forces Operative Chris Ryan, who escaped Iraq after being separated from his squad for seven days and eight nights; and Charles Klusmann, the first U.S. pilot to be captured during the Vietnam War - and also the first to escape.
No Man Left Behind is produced by Raw TV for National Geographic Channels. For Raw TV, executive producer is Mark Lewis, series producer is Sam Starbuck and supervising producer is Simon Mills. For National Geographic Channels, executive producer is Robert Palumbo, vice president of production is Matt Renner and president of original programming and production is Tim Pastore.
|