A-2. In early April 1996, the fighting between two warring factions—the Patriotic Front of Liberia and the ethnic Krahn elements—tore Liberia apart. United Nations observers and the Economic Community of West African States Cease-Fire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) were unable to stop the fighting. Over a 4-day period, 10,000 Liberians engaged in intense fighting and surrounded the U.S. Embassy. The Ambassador requested additional security and evacuation assistance. In this appendix, the History and Research Office of the United States Special Operations Command describes this particular NEO. Figure A-2, page A-3, shows the timeline of this NEO, and Figure A-3, page A-4, shows the organization of this NEO.
Timeline
June-September 1990
Liberian rebels lay siege to Monrovia to oust President Samuel K. Doe. ECOMOG peacekeeping force enters Liberia to end the siege. Rebels break into ethnic warlord militias. Seven years of civil war begin.
August 1995
Leaders sign the 13th peace plan since 1989. This plan establishes a ruling council and mandates that the presidency rotate among council members until elections determine the president.
6 April 1996
Fighting erupts between warlord factions in and around Monrovia after the ruling council attempts to oust Roosevelt Johnson.
9 April 1996
Special Operations Component, European Command (SOCEUR) security elements secure the U.S. Embassy. United States Air Force (USAF) SOF helicopters begin evacuating the first of 2,200 personnel to Freetown, Sierra Leone.
11 April 1996
Elements of an Army airborne company based in Italy augment SOCEUR forces.
12 April 1996
CONUS-based ARSOF and Army special operation aviation begin air evacuation operations from Monrovia. Personnel are conducting air-refueling operations.
19 April 1996
Factions declare a cease-fire, but sporadic fighting continues. ECOMOG leaders meet to refocus the peace process.
20 April 1996
Approximately 250 Marines relieve SOF security, air evacuation elements, and Army security forces at the Embassy.
The Marines begin evacuating the remaining 750 civilians.
The Marine commander assumes command of the Operation ASSURED RESPONSE task force.
Figure A-2. Monrovia and Liberia timeline
A-3. On 7 April 1996, U.S. Ambassador William B. Milam requested additional security forces. Because of this request, the National Command Authorities officially notified the Commander, United States European Command (CDRUSEUCOM) to prepare for a NEO. The CDRUSEUCOM assigned this mission to the SOCEUR. The commander gave the mission the code name Operation ASSURED RESPONSE. A-4. When the CDRUSEUCOM notified the SOCEUR of the NEO, the command was supporting ongoing operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the recovery mission for personnel killed in the crash of a USAF CT-43. Fortunately, the SOCEUR staff and its components had previously developed NEO plans. A-5. Limited options were available for the insertion of the evacuation force and for the removal of evacuees. Warring factions had surrounded the two existing airports in Monrovia. These airports were also in poor condition. The lack of airfields and time available affected the possible COAs. One possible COA involved an MC-130 flying off the coast of Monrovia US Navy SEALs (sea-air-land) and parachuting into the ocean. The aircrew would also drop two combat, rubber, raiding crafts into the ocean. The other COA involved deployed SOF helicopters reassembling at Freetown, Sierra Leone, and then inserting security forces at the Embassy (a 90-minute insertion flight). Both COAs involved the use of helicopters for the exfiltration of evacuees.
Appendix A
A-4 FM 3-05.131 16 November 2009
Figure A-3. Organization of Operation ASSURED RESPONSE
A-6. The USEUCOM operations director authorized the deployment of an ESAT to Monrovia. The ESAT would review the security situation and provide SOCEUR an evaluation of the situation. On 7 April 1996, NAVSOF and the initial forward command element departed on two MC-130 aircraft for the ISB (Freetown). The SOCEUR FCE established the Operation ASSURED RESPONSE JTF headquarters while the NAVSOF prepared to reinforce the Embassy.
A-7. The JTF headquarters element ran the ISB operation at Freetown. The ISB was responsible for the following:
z Conducting helicopter operations to and from the Embassy.
z Resupplying the Embassy with food, water, and medical provisions. z Handling the aircraft bringing supplies, equipment, and personnel.
z Managing the transfer of evacuees to aircraft for the flight to the safe haven.
A-8. MH-53J helicopters deployed from Brindisi, Italy, and Mildenhall, England, by C-5 transport to the ISB. They arrived on 8 April. Personnel reassembled one of the helicopters on 9 April. The ESAT and 12 NAVSOF departed for the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia. They were to provide the JTF with a situational update and the Embassy with increased security.
A-9. On 9 April 1996, a portion of the JTF staff, additional NAVSOF, and an element from 1-10th SFG(A) arrived in Monrovia (Figure A-4, page A-5). The JTF staff established the JTF headquarters in the Embassy while the 1-10th SFG(A) assumed responsibility for the ECC and Embassy security. Over the next two days, additional SF personnel arrived. On 10 April 1996, the ECC became operational.
A-10. Members of the 1-10th SFG(A) established and maintained reception, registration, medical screening, and transportation stations (Figure A-5, page A-5). From 10 to 14 April, the ECC processed around 1,800 evacuees. On 15 April 1996, elements of the 3-325th Infantry relieved the SEALs and SF, who returned to the ISB. The MH-53Js and MH-47s continued to support evacuation flights through 19 April 1996, completing 98 sorties and evacuating over 2,126 individuals (436 U.S. citizens) from 76 different countries.
Figure A-4. A helicopter landing at the Embassy in Monrovia
Figure A-5. Special Forces Soldiers escort evacuees from a transportation station A-11. On 20 April 1996, the Commander, Task Force 62, (USS GUAM Amphibious Ready Group relieved the Commander, Special Operations Command, United States European Command (CDRSOCEUR) as the commander of the Operation ASSURED RESPONSE JTF. In only a few days, SOF successfully accomplished a complex mission using a variety of in-theater and CONUS units. Task Force 62 continued Operation ASSURED RESPONSE until it was relieved in late June. A Special Purpose Marine A-ground task force relieved the ARG and completed the mission in August 2006. A USSOCOM History and Research Office document contains more information on the operation including detailed tactical information, such as placement of security positions within the Embassy, lessons learned, and TTP for coordination of airframe flow into the evacuation area.
Appendix A
A-6 FM 3-05.131 16 November 2009