National Geographic Channel’s gripping new series No Man Left Behind — beginning Tuesday, June 28 at 9/8c — details the gruesome survival stories of war heroes and special agents from past battles and missions.
The premiere episode, “The Real Black Hawk Down,” narrates the story of a 1993 mission in Mogadishu, Somalia that went wrong. As the raid turns into a rescue mission, 120 U.S. rangers must battle against the city of Mogadishu as they try and aid their fallen comrades. The Somalis take one of the U.S. rangers prisoner, and in an inspirational race to free their friend, the rangers risk their safety to ensure their comrade is not left behind.
The soldiers’ stories are enough to send chills up your spine. As they retell their experiences, it is clear how much the battle affected the individuals. The men came close to death, and watched many of their friends die horrible deaths in battle. As one of the soldiers put it, “Not a day goes by where at some point I don’t think about something in the streets of Mogadishu.”
The soldiers gained a new appreciation for their comrades, forming an unbreakable bond that still keeps them close to this day. In the face of such adversity, the soldiers gain a new appreciation for life, love and friendship.
This action-packed episode leaves you wanting to hear more stories, excited for what is to come. Straying away from my typical reality TV shows, this historical show gave me a new appreciation for my freedom and how it affects the men that fight for it. No Man Left Behind will definitely make you stop and think twice about the things you take for granted on a daily basis.
For those thrill-seekers, looking for a suspenseful new show with an inspirational after tone, this is the summer series for you. I’m assuming there will never be a dull moment in these intense episodes, so hold tight as National Geographic Channel takes you into battle with U.S. soldiers and agents in different parts of the world.
Upcoming episodic guide:
The Real Black Hawk Down
Premieres: Tuesday, June 28 at 9/8c
Tells the true-life story of the shooting down of two Black Hawk helicopters during a deadly battle in Mogadishu between U.S. forces and Somali militia. The pilot of the downed helicopter and two of the soldiers recount the intense details of the horrific battle.
Columbia Vice
Premieres: Tuesday, July 5 at 9/8c
America’s war on drugs is in full swing in 1982. Two DEA agents’ routine surveillance operation becomes a mission to stay alive when they are ordered to go after drug kingpin Rene Benetiz. The agents recount the terrifying ordeal of their kidnapping and escape from the jungle in heart-pounding detail.
To Hell and Back
Premieres: Tuesday, July 12 at 9/8c
Six years into the Afghan war, a select group of U.S. Green Berets attempts a raid on a Taliban mountain stronghold in Shok valley. They are ambushed, outgunned and outnumbered. Two of the soldiers share their stories of survival and how they managed to hold off the enemy for seven hours until they evacuated and returned to safety.
The One That Got Away
Premieres: Tuesday, July 19 at 9/8c
In an operation during the Gulf War, eight British Special Air Services soldiers are dropped 140 miles behind enemy lines to take out a network of Saddam Hussein’s Scud missile launchers. The mission goes wrong and within days, three men are dead and four are captured. Chris Ryan shares his journey to freedom, walking 200 miles and surviving for eight days without supplies.
Stealth Bomber Down
Premieres: Tuesday, July 26 at 9/8c
For the first and only time in military history a U.S. Air Force F-117 stealth bomber is shot down during the Kosovo War. Pilot Dale Zelko manages to eject, but is hunted by forces desperate to capture him. He spends seven hours pinned down in a dark ditch, while a helicopter rescue team races to find him first. Zelko talks about the horrifying ordeal and his struggle for survival.
Memories of Hell
Premieres: Tuesday, August 2 at 9/8c
Lt. Charles Klusmann was the first U.S. navy pilot to be shot down and captured during the Vietnam war; he was also the first to escape. Klusmann opens up about the mission gone wrong his near-death journey to freedom: engineering a daring escape, trekking over 25 miles and evading recapture for over three days before being reunited with his comrades.
