Paul R. Howe

Last updated


Paul Randal Howe
Paul Howe.jpg
Howe in 2009
Born1959 (age 6465)
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1980–2000
Rank Master sergeant
UnitSpecial Operations
Battles/wars Battle of Mogadishu (1993)
Spouse(s)Constance Beckwith
Children3
Other workFounder, CEO, and lead instructor of CSAT Company (2000–present)
Website CSAT

Paul Randal Howe (born 1959) [1] is an American former special operations soldier. He was a Delta Force team leader who was involved in special operations as a U.S. Army soldier. He participated in the special operations rescue at the Battle of Mogadishu (1993) which led to the book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War and the Black Hawk Down film. He is a firearms instructor and counterterrorism expert who trains people in high-risk operations. His company is called CSAT-Combat Shooting and Tactics. [2] He is the author of three books about leadership.

Contents

Military career

Paul Howe Signature edition LWRCI CSAT M6 A1 EVO 1.0 rifle Paul Howe LWRCI CSAT M6 A1 EVO 1.0 receiver.jpg
Paul Howe Signature edition LWRCI CSAT M6 A1 EVO 1.0 rifle

Howe served 20 years in the U.S. Army. He held the rank of Master Sergeant and was a member of Delta Force. [3] For ten of those years he was involved in special operations. He fought in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. [4]

His experiences in Mogadishu were portrayed in the film Black Hawk Down. [5] Howe provided much of the information about Delta Force operations for the writing of the 1999 book: Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. [6] He was the leader of the assault team that went in to rescue Army Rangers and Delta Force members in Mogadishu. [7] Mark Bowden met with Howe in 1997 about writing the book after clearing it with Howe's commanding officer. Howe was first to arrive on the scene of the downed Black Hawk helicopter. [8] Other Delta Force members were also consulted for the book, but they did not allow the use of their real names. Howe has faced some criticism for allowing Bowden to use his real name. [8]

Career

In 2000 Howe graduated with an MIS (Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies) from Stephen F. Austin State University. [9] After his 20-year military career Howe became an instructor specializing in high-risk training for law enforcement. [10] He works as a professional instructor and runs Combat Shooting & Tactics (CSAT) which is a training facility in Nacogdoches, Texas. [11] He started the company in 2000. [9]

When the September 11 attacks occurred in 2001 there was a demand for counterterrorism instruction. Howe served as an instructor for a counterterrorism company: The HALO Corporation International. The company employed former military special forces members as instructors. Howe taught hostage rescue and firearms training. [12] Howe also focuses on hostage rescue when training law enforcement and SWAT teams. [13]

Personal life

Howe is married to Constance "Connie" (née Beckwith), a former Army Reserve major and the daughter of Delta Force founder, Col. Charles Alvin Beckwith. His daughter, U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Mary Howe (Now Daniell), is an aerial gunner with the 4th Special Operations Squadron. He lives and works in Nacogdoches, Texas. [11]

Paul Howe signature firearms

Books

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Gordon</span> United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (1960–1993)

Gary Ivan Gordon was a master sergeant in the United States Army and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. At the time of his death, he was a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army's premier special operations unit, the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1SFOD-D), or "Delta Force". Together with his comrade, Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart, Gordon was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Mogadishu in October 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Shughart</span> United States Army Medal of Honor recipient (1958–1993)

Randall David Shughart was a United States Army Delta Force operator who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Mogadishu, during Operation Gothic Serpent in October 1993.

<i>Black Hawk Down</i> (film) 2001 war film by Ridley Scott

Black Hawk Down is a 2001 war film directed and produced by Ridley Scott, and co-produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, from a screenplay by Ken Nolan. It is based on the 1999 eponymous non-fiction book by journalist Mark Bowden, about the crew of a Black Hawk helicopter that was shot down during the Battle of Mogadishu. The film features a large ensemble cast, including Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, Tom Sizemore, William Fichtner, Jason Isaacs, Sam Shepard, Jeremy Piven, Ioan Gruffudd, Ewen Bremner, Hugh Dancy, and Tom Hardy in his first film role. Orlando Bloom, Ty Burrell, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau also have minor roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Mogadishu (1993)</span> UN-Somali military incident, October 1993

The Battle of Mogadishu, also known as the Black Hawk Down Incident, was part of Operation Gothic Serpent. It was fought on 3–4 October 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia, between forces of the United States—supported by UNOSOM II—against the forces of the Somali National Alliance (SNA) and armed irregular citizens of south Mogadishu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hostage Rescue Team</span> Elite tactical unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

The Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) is the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) elite tactical unit. The HRT was formed to provide a full-time federal law enforcement tactical capability to respond to major terrorist incidents throughout the United States. Today, the HRT performs a number of tactical law enforcement and national security functions in high-risk environments and conditions and has deployed overseas, including with military Joint Special Operations Command units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta Force</span> U.S. Armys tier one special operations force

The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta, referred to variously as Delta Force, Combat Applications Group (CAG), or within Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Task Force Green, is a special operations force of the United States Army, under operational control of JSOC. The unit's missions primarily involve counterterrorism, hostage rescue, direct action, and special reconnaissance, often against high-value targets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)</span> US Army special operations helicopter unit

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), abbreviated as 160th SOAR (A), is a special operations force of the United States Army that provides helicopter aviation support for special operations forces. Its missions have included attack, assault, and reconnaissance, and these missions are usually conducted at night, at high speeds, low altitudes, and on short notice.

United States special operations forces (SOF) are the active and reserve component forces of the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force within the US military, as designated by the Secretary of Defense and specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. All active and reserve special operations forces are assigned to the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

<i>Black Hawk Down</i> (book) 1999 book by Mark Bowden

Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War is a 1999 book by journalist Mark Bowden. It documents efforts by the Unified Task Force to capture Somali faction leader Mohamed Farrah Aidid in 1993, and the resulting battle in Mogadishu between United States forces and Aidid's militia. One of the key events is the downing of two United States MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, from which the book derives its title, and the attempt to rescue their crews. United States forces included 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; 160th SOAR; Delta Force; 24th Special Tactics Squadron; DEVGRU Navy SEALs; 10th Mountain Division; as well as Malaysian and Pakistani United Nations peacekeeping forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Alvin Beckwith</span> U.S. Army Special Forces officer (1929–1994)

Charles Alvin "Charlie" Beckwith was a career United States Army Special Forces officer best remembered for creating Delta Force, the premier counterterrorism and asymmetric warfare unit of the United States Army, based on his experience serving with the British Special Air Service. He served in the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and the Vietnam War, and attained the rank of colonel before his retirement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Gothic Serpent</span> 1993 United States-led military operation conducted in Mogadishu, Somalia

Operation Gothic Serpent was a military operation conducted in Mogadishu, Somalia, by an American force code-named Task Force Ranger during the Somali Civil War in 1993. The primary objective of the operation was to capture Mohamed Farrah Aidid, leader of the Somali National Alliance who was wanted by the UNOSOM II in response to his attacks against United Nations troops. The operation took place from August to October 1993 and was led by US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William F. Garrison</span> United States Army general (born 1944)

William F. "Bill" Garrison is a retired major general of the United States Army who commanded United States forces during Operation Gothic Serpent, the military operation launched in 1993 to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid.

<i>Delta Force: Black Hawk Down</i> 2003 video game

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down is a first-person shooter video game developed by NovaLogic. It was released for Microsoft Windows on March 25, 2003; for Mac OS X in July 2004; and for PlayStation 2 and Xbox on July 26, 2005. It is the 6th game of the Delta Force series. It is set in the early 1990s, during the Unified Task Force peacekeeping operation in Somalia. The missions take place primarily in the southern Jubba Valley and the capital Mogadishu. The game also features a mission editor with which players can make custom missions. The game is based on the book of the same name, not the Sony film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">24th Special Tactics Squadron</span> U.S. Air Forces tier one special operations force

The 24th Special Tactics Squadron is one of the Special Tactics units of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Garrisoned at Pope Field, North Carolina, it is the U.S. Air Force component of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). The unit's webpage describes it as "the Air Force's special operations ground force".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Actions Detachment</span> Special operations maritime unit of the Portuguese Navy

The Special Actions Detachment or DAE is the tier one special force maritime unit of the Portuguese Navy. It is part of the Portuguese Marine Corps. Raised in 1985, the DAE is one of the smallest special forces units within the Portuguese Armed Forces. It is responsible for conducting air-sea rescue, amphibious reconnaissance, amphibious warfare, black operation, bomb disposal, CBRN defense, coastal raiding, counterterrorism, direct action, executive protection, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, ISTAR, long-range penetration, JTAC, manhunt high-value target, maritime sabotage, mountain rescue, naval boarding, operation behind high risk enemy lines, special operations, special reconnaissance, tracking targets, underwater demolition, unconventional warfare, other missions in support of Portuguese and NATO armed forces. DAE's mission and training are similar to American special forces and it often trains with them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilson Combat</span>

Wilson Combat is a custom pistol manufacturer located in Berryville, Arkansas, that specializes in customizing and manufacturing M1911A1s. First started under the name "Wilson's Gun Shop" in 1977, Bill Wilson started his new gunsmith business in the back of the family jewelry store, "Wilson's Jewelry", on the corner of Berryville's public square. In 2000, the company bought "Scattergun Technologies", and markets combat shotguns under the name "Wilson Combat Scattergun Technologies".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Special Operations Command</span> Unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for special operations

The United States Special Operations Command is the unified combatant command charged with overseeing the various special operations component commands of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense and is the only unified combatant command created by an Act of Congress. USSOCOM is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

Thomas E. Matthews is a retired United States Army colonel who is best known for his commanding role in the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. During the Battle of Mogadishu, Matthews and a Delta Force officer, Lt. Col. Gary Harrell commanded from the helicopter Super 6-3 circling over the battle. Matthews was the commander of 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), of which 5 members of his unit were killed when two Black Hawk Helicopters were shot down by the forces of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. Matthews was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal by President Bill Clinton for his actions in Somalia. Matthews was an adviser for the movie Black Hawk Down about the Battle of Mogadishu and was portrayed in the movie by Glenn Morshower. Matthews later retired from military service and works in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Department of Defense. He currently resides in northern Virginia with his family.

Delta Force is a series of first-person shooter video games by NovaLogic created in 1998. They are often included in the sub-genre labeled "tactical shooters". NovaLogic was the primary developer and license holder of the franchise until the acquisition of its assets by THQ Nordic on October 31, 2016.

References

  1. "Paul Howe may soon retire from CSAT". Guns Over Texas Radio. June 20, 2014. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  2. Howe, Paul R. (2009). The tactical trainer : a few thoughts on training and training management from a former special operations soldier. Bloomington, Ind.: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN   978-1438996288.
  3. Banja, John D. (2019). Patient safety ethics : how vigilance, mindfulness, compliance, and humility can make healthcare safer. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 45. ISBN   9781421429083. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  4. "Home Defense with Paul Howe – new from Panteao". Recoil. Recoil Magazine. March 12, 2014. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  5. "The Battle of the Black Sea: MSG Paul Howe's Untold Story of Black Hawk Down". IMDb. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  6. Hunter, Stephen (January 18, 2002). "Shock Troops". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  7. Bryant, Paul (July 11, 2013). "Woman continues Howes' military tradition". The Daily Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Shepard, Alicia C. (March 2002). "Appointment in Somalia". American Journalism review. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  9. 1 2 "About CSAT". Combat Shooting & Tactics. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  10. Howe, Paul R. (2011). Leadership and Training for the Fight[Using Special Operations Principals to Succeed in Law Enforcement, Business and War]. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN   978-1-61608-304-5.
  11. 1 2 3 Towsley, Bryce (February 25, 2019). "Review: Wilson Combat Paul Howe G19". Shooting Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  12. Guynn, Jessica (November 3, 2002). "Firearms Training Businesses See Demand Grow". Marysville Appeal Democrat. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  13. Kirk, Bryan (January 15, 2006). "SWAT Teams Storm Abandoned School as Part of Training". Seguin Gazette Enterprise. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  14. Wilson. "Wilson Combat The Paul Howe Tactical Carbine". Wilson Combat. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.