Operation United Shield

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Operation United Shield
Part of United Nations Operation in Somalia II and Civil war in Somalia
Operation United Shield emblem.jpg
Official Logo for Operation United Shield
Operational scopeTactical
Location
Planned9 January 1992
Planned by United States Central Command
Objectivesafe evacuation of personnel of UNOSOM I, UNITAF, and UNOSOM II
Date9 January 1995 – 3 March 1995
Executed byNaval jack of the United States (1960-1975, 1977-2002).svg United States Navy
Naval Jack of Pakistan.svg Pakistan Navy
Naval Ensign of Italy.svg Italian Navy
OutcomeSuccessful
CasualtiesNone

Operation United Shield was the codename of a military operation, conducted 9 January to 3 March 1995, bringing a conclusion to the United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II). Commanded by the United States, two ships of the Pakistan Navy, five ships of the Italian Navy and six ships of the United States Navy formed a Combined Task Force (CTF) ensuring the safe evacuation of all UN Peacekeeping Forces from Somalia.

Contents

Timeline of United Nations involvement in Somalia

Background and leadership

The political situation in Somalia deteriorated throughout 1993 and 1994, until it was determined that UN peacekeeping forces were in unacceptable jeopardy. On 10 January 1995 the United States Central Command announced that 4,000 personnel (including 2,600 U.S. Marines) would be deployed to Somalia to assist with Operation United Shield. At that time, the UNOSOM II peacekeeping force remaining in Somalia was a combined force of approximately 2,500 troops, from Pakistan and Bangladesh. The United Nations Security Council established 31 March 1995 as the deadline for the departure of all its forces participating in U.N. operations in Somalia. [4]

A U.S. Marine Corps Bell UH-1N Twin Huey helicopter lifts off from the ramp at Moi International Airport in February 1995 UH-1N US Marines in Mombasa 1995.JPEG
A U.S. Marine Corps Bell UH-1N Twin Huey helicopter lifts off from the ramp at Moi International Airport in February 1995

LtGen Anthony Zinni (Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force) was given command of the operation, which was to ensure the safe execution of an amphibious withdrawal. General Zinni, who served as director for operations for UNITAF during Operation Restore Hope in 1992–1993, knew most of the top Somali leaders at the time of Operation United Shield.

The commanders utilized a 4,000 man air-ground task force to cover the withdrawal and prevent further casualties, while a seaborne coalition of American, Italian, Pakistani, French, British, and Malaysian naval vessels waited just off the coast of Mogadishu to accept the withdrawing forces.

Execution

Factors critical to the success of Operation United Shield

By the time the Landing Force went ashore, the UNOSOM forces had consolidated and withdrawn to New Port and Mogadishu International Airport. [6]

The most critical stage of Operation United Shield began when the ground combat element (GCE) of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted an amphibious landing on "Green Beach," near Mogadishu International Airport. The infantry element, Kilo Company of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, (31st MEUSOC) and Battalion Landing Team 3/1, conducted their initial landing in the early morning hours of 1 March 1995, [7] and within hours the bulk of the infantry battalion had passed through the United Nation's perimeter and secured the New Port shipping facility and an area known as "No Man's Land", between the New Port and the UN-occupied Mogadishu International Airport, north of Green Beach.

Two United States Navy CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopters from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Four played a vital role in placing troops in key areas throughout Mogadishu and then picking up members of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force and flying them out to the United States Ships offshore.

American

Italian

Pakistan

References

  1. 1 2 United Nations: UNITED NATIONS OPERATION IN SOMALIA I
  2. U.S. Central Command: US CENTCOM History Archived 2 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Bush, George H., Address to the Nation on the Situation in Somalia, 4/12/92
  4. 1 2 Operation United Shield at Global Security
  5. DefenseLink, U.S. Department of Defense: UNITED SHIELD Press briefing, 28 February 1995
  6. DefenseLink, U.S. Department of Defense: UNITED SHIELD Press briefing, 2 March 1995
  7. Deployments – Somalia – Operation United Shield – Background