View source for Operation Eastern Exit

{{Short description|1991 US embassy evacuation in Somalia}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox military operation
| name        = Operation Eastern Exit
| partof      = [[Somali Civil War]]
| image       =
| caption     =
| scope       =
| type        = Noncombatant Evacuation Operation
| location    = [[Mogadishu]], [[Somalia]]
| coordinates = {{coord|2|2|9|N|45|17|41|E|display=inline,title|name=Former US Embassy to Somalia (Chancery Building, 1990–close)}}<ref name="Embassy coordinates"/>
| map_type    = Somalia
| map_size    =
| map_caption =
| map_label   = US Embassy; Mogadishu, Somalia
| planned     =
| commanded_by  =
| objective   = Evacuate [[Embassy of the United States, Mogadishu|US embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia]]
| date        = 2–11 January 1991
| time        =
| time-begin  =
| time-end    =
| timezone    = UTC+3{{efn|name=timezone|Except where otherwise specified, Mogadishu's time zone—[[UTC+3]] ([[List of military time zones|"Charlie" time]] in the military)—is used for this article, ''including'' events on board the USS ''Guam'' and USS ''Trenton'' which were operating on "Delta" time—[[UTC+4]]—which is also the time zone for Oman (where they were stationed). The military and State Department use UTC (''zulu''; written as ''Z'', e.g. 01:00Z) as a worldwide standard time.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|2}}}}
| executed_by = * [[United States Marine Corps]]
* [[United States Navy]]
| outcome     = Successful evacuation of 281 diplomats and civilians from 30 countries
| casualties  = 0
}}
{{Campaignbox_Somali_Civil_War}}
'''Operation Eastern Exit''' was the codename given to the military evacuation of the [[Embassy of the United States, Mogadishu|United States embassy]] in [[Mogadishu]], the capital of [[Somalia]], in January 1991. In late December 1990, violence quickly enveloped the city as armed militants began clashing with government soldiers. On 1 January 1991, the [[United States Ambassador to Somalia|US Ambassador to Somalia]], [[James Keough Bishop]], contacted the [[United States Department of State|Department of State]] requesting an evacuation of the embassy, which was approved the following day. [[United States Central Command]] began planning and mobilizing forces that evening. The initial plan was to evacuate with a military transport plane through the [[Aden Adde International Airport|Mogadishu International Airport]], but this was later abandoned. A helicopter evacuation via the {{USS|Guam|LPH-9|6}} and {{USS|Trenton|LPD-14|6}} was the remaining option.

On the morning of 5 January, a 60-person [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] and [[Navy SEAL]] security detail was dispatched from ''Guam'' aboard two [[Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion|CH-53E ''Super Stallion'']] helicopters to secure the embassy and prepare for the main evacuation. The two helicopters returned to ''Guam'' with the first 61 evacuees. Throughout the day, foreign [[diplomat]]s and civilians sought refuge at the embassy. Four waves of five [[Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight|CH-46 ''Sea Knight'']] helicopters each evacuated the embassy compound shortly after midnight on 6 January. The evacuees were transported to [[Muscat, Oman]], where they disembarked on 11 January. In total, Operation Eastern Exit evacuated 281 (with a 282nd born aboard ship) diplomats and civilians from 30 countries, including 12 heads of [[Diplomatic mission|missions]] (eight [[ambassador]]s and four [[Chargé d'Affaires|chargés d'affaires]]).

== Background ==
{{further|Embassy of the United States, Mogadishu#History}}
In the late 1980s, there was [[Somali Civil War#Decline and Fall of Siad Barre's government (1978–91)|increasing rebellion]] against the rule of [[List of Presidents of Somalia|Somali President]] [[Siad Barre]], a [[military dictator]]<ref name="Independent: Barre obituary"/><ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica"/><ref name="Berkley Center"/> who maintained tight control of power and had a record of human rights abuses.<ref name="Independent: Barre obituary">{{cite news|last1=Greenfield|first1=Robert|title=Obituary: Mohamed Said<!-- sic --> Barre|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-mohamed-said-barre-1566452.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-mohamed-said-barre-1566452.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=25 March 2015|work=The Independent|date=3 January 1995|quote=It was the end of his 22-year rule in Somalia, which had..degenerated into dictatorship...The complex security paraphernalia and the paramilitary organisations so typical of all repressive states...were installed...Once so identified, whole areas were devastated. Among the first to suffer were the Majeerteen. But it was confrontation with the Isaak, the largest clan in the north, which revealed the depths which Siad and his relative-generals were prepared to plumb. The word ''genocide'' came to be used by international human rights observers...Siad reacted without any restraint: Hargeisa, the nation's second city...and other cities of the north were strafed, rocketed and bombed. In 1988 and 1989 columns of refugees were not spared...Despite the natural timidity of the [US State Department] (its human rights desk quite excepted) the (US) Congress was adamant: no human rights: no aid.]}}</ref><ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">{{cite web|title=Mohamed Siad Barre|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/547169/Mohamed-Siad-Barre|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=25 March 2015|quote=Mohamed Siad Barre...[was] president of Somalia who held dictatorial rule over the country from October 1969...until January 1991...Allegations of human rights abuses hurt his international standing.}}</ref><ref name="Berkley Center">{{cite web|title=Mohamed Siad Barre|url=http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/people/mohamed-siad-barre|website=Georgetown University|publisher=Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs (Georgetown University)|access-date=25 March 2015|quote=Mohamed Siad Barre served as the president and military dictator of Somalia from 1969 to 1991...The Barre government committed several human rights abuses; citizens were subject to arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture, and executions.|archive-date=18 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618103540/http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/people/mohamed-siad-barre|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|7}} By 1990, what began as [[civil disobedience]] evolved into [[Somali Civil War|a civil war]], with several [[militia]]s organized to overthrow the central government.<ref name="Independent: Barre obituary"/><ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|7–8}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|87}}

In July 1989, [[Embassy of the United States, Mogadishu|the embassy]] moved to a new, {{convert|80|acre|adj=on}} compound, {{convert|6|mi}} from the previous embassy and James K. Bishop was appointed as the [[United States Ambassador to Somalia|United States' ambassador to Somalia]].<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|46}}<ref name="NYT: Embassy evacuation"/> Ambassador Bishop had significant experience in crisis management at US embassies.<!-- <ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript" /> --> In 1967, he was at the US Embassy in [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]] when the [[Six-Day War]] erupted.<!-- <ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript" /> --> About 3,600 Americans were evacuated in 33 hours; Bishop was one of 26 diplomats and soldiers that remained in the city.<!-- <ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript" /> --> As deputy assistant secretary of state for Africa from 1981–87, Bishop chaired several task forces for crises and gained experience in the State Department's operations center as evacuations were carried out during several [[coups d'etat]].<!-- <ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript" /> --> During his previous assignment as Ambassador to [[Liberia]] (1987–90), Bishop was overseeing the voluntary evacuation of embassy staff and civilians as [[First Liberian Civil War|a civil war]] in Liberia spread, when he left in March 1990.<!-- <ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript" /> --> Soon after returning to Washington to prepare for his new appointment to [[Somalia]], he was appointed to a taskforce to deal with the crisis in Liberia, which included a gradual evacuation of American civilians and a rapid closure of the embassy in August.<ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript" /><ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|75–78}}

On 1 August, before leaving the US to take up his post in [[Mogadishu]], Ambassador Bishop visited [[United States Central Command]]—the military command for the [[Middle East]] and [[northeast Africa]]{{efn|Today, Somalia is part of the US military's [[United States Africa Command]] (established in 2008) area of responsibility.}}—where he spent most of the day with its commander, Gen.&nbsp;[[Norman Schwarzkopf]].<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|84–85}} Ambassador Bishop, aware of the ongoing strife, believed "the odds were better than even that we would have to leave Mogadishu under less than favorable circumstances."<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|85}} Ambassador Bishop understood from his past experiences in Beirut and Liberia the importance of being prepared to deal with emergencies and spent the afternoon working with military experts to review the embassy's Emergencies and Evacuation (E&E) plan until he was "satisfied...that [Central Command] realized that it might have to conduct an evacuation from Mogadishu and was prepared to do that."<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|85}} In its analysis of Operation Eastern Exit, the [[Center for Naval Analyses]] cited the Ambassador Bishop's previous experience and "clear understanding of his role"<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit"/>{{Rp|v}} in the operation as one of the reasons Operation Eastern Exit went so well.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit"/>{{Rp|v}}

Hours after Ambassador Bishop's visit to Central Command, [[Invasion of Kuwait|Iraq invaded Kuwait]].<ref name="History: Iraq invades Kuwait"/><!-- The invasion began at 2:00AM local time, which was 23:00UTC 1 August and about 19:00/7:00PM in the eastern US. Ambassador Bishop spent most of the afternoon of 1 August at Central Command. --> In 1979, the US negotiated access to an airport and port in both Mogadishu and [[Berbera]]; because of limited access the US had to locations in the Persian Gulf area, maintaining this access was a main interest for the Mogadishu embassy to pursue as the US mobilized to intervene in Kuwait.<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|84–85, 89–90}} Though, the United States did not have any forces nor did it use Somali facilities in support of [[Gulf War#Operation Desert Shield|Operation Desert Shield]].

An increasing level of criminal violence prompted Ambassador Bishop to request the voluntary evacuation of dependents (e.g. children and spouses of staff) and non-essential staff in early December, although fighting between the government and the [[United Somali Congress]] (a rebel militia) remained no less than about {{convert|100|mi|order=flip|sigfig=2}} away.<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|93}} The voluntary evacuation later became a mandatory evacuation. By 19 December, the number of official US personnel in the city was reduced from 147 to 37;<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit"/>{{Rp|2}} around the same time, fighting between the government and rebels came within about {{convert|40|mi|order=flip}} of Mogadishu.<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|93}}

===Collapse of the Barre government===
{{see also|Somali Civil War#Red Berets, USC and SNM (1990–1991)}}
[[File:Official portrait of Major General Siad Barre.jpg|thumb|right|President of Somalia, Major General [[Siad Barre]]]]
On 30 December, violence escalated "an order of magnitude"<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/> as militants entered Mogadishu, which was quickly enveloped by a general state of lawlessness.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/> On 30–31 December, diplomats, including many stationed in offices elsewhere in the city, were collected and housed in the embassy compound, except two volunteers who remained in the embassy's ''K-7'' residential apartments located across Afgoy Road from the embassy.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|8}} The volunteers in the K-7 building would be needed as look-outs for the embassy compound's main gate.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/>{{efn|Until the K-7 compound was evacuated on 4 January, the embassy's main gate would only be opened to receive evacuees and send and receive armored vehicles (dispatched to fetch persons elsewhere in the city) when the lookouts radioed that no armed persons were on Afghoy Road.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/>}} On the morning of 31 December, the defense attaché was nearly killed when his vehicle was sprayed with bullets and that evening, a soldier at a roadblock shot the tires of a vehicle carrying another defense official.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/> Attempts by the US and other nations' diplomats, in particular the Italian embassy, to negotiate a ceasefire for foreigners to leave were unsuccessful. Afgoy Road became a "shooting gallery,"<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/> preventing those in safe-havens outside the embassy from reaching it. On New Year's Day, the first American civilians began to seek refuge at the embassy.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/>

Ambassador Bishop requested an evacuation of the American community on 1 January, indicating that the evacuation could be with the planned Italian, French, or German evacuation efforts, but preferred an evacuation by the US military.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|8–9}} The State Department authorized the evacuation on 2 January and on that day, Ambassador Bishop specifically requested an evacuation by the US military, thereby initiating Operation Eastern Exit.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|9}}<ref name="ADST: Evacuating Somalia"/> Ambassador Bishop had spent a considerable amount of time discussing contingency plans for evacuation with other diplomatic posts.<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|90}} Ultimately, ten heads of missions—eight ambassadors and two [[Chargé d'Affaires|chargés d'affaires]]—along with their staff sought refuge in the US embassy compound and were evacuated.<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|94–95}}

==Plans, mobilization, and escalating violence==
Ambassador Bishop had visited Central Command in August 1990, where he worked with military experts to update the embassy's E&E plan.<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|84–85}} The first notice that an evacuation of the Mogadishu embassy would be needed came on the morning of 1 January, when the top naval commander at Central Command sent a message to his naval operations staff: "Better have Amphib crowd take a look at a helo NEO of Mogadishu! time/distance to get there from Masirah OP area."<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|8}} Following the ambassador's 2 January evacuation request, the commander of Central Command ordered Air Force aircraft to the region, the movement of amphibious ships to Mogadishu, and requested [[United States Special Operations Command]] to prepare for a noncombatant evacuation operation.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|2}}

The initial plan was to evacuate via Mogadishu International Airport.<ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit"/><ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop"/>{{Rp|94}} Soon after the evacuation request, the [[United States Air Force]] deployed [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130]] transport planes and an [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130]], for gunfire support, to [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]], awaiting clearances to enter Somalia and the ability to safely transfer evacuees from the embassy to the airport.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|11}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop"/>{{Rp|94}} However, the US and other foreign embassies were unable to contact anyone within the government to obtain clearances.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/> It also became apparent that the rebels had an ineffective command-and-control structure, making it impossible to negotiate any ceasefire or guarantee of safe passage.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/> Likewise, government troops faced a command-and-control problem; reports indicated that army units were separating along clan lines, in some cases soldiers shot officers of a different clan when given orders they disagreed with.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu" /> Thus, it became clear that safe passage to the airport would not be possible.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu" /><ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit"/> Several other nations also had aircraft mobilized to reach Mogadishu, but faced the same problems of landing and transit of evacuees to the airport.<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop"/>{{Rp|96}}

On 4 January, several incidents, including a couple exchanges of gunfire, suggested that the embassy's security detail was insufficient to hold off armed Somalis until the USS ''Guam'' and USS ''Trenton'' arrived with their helicopters and Marines, at that time scheduled to arrive on 7 January.<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop"/>{{Rp|94–97}} The embassy had just six Marine guards, whose job was limited to protecting the [[chancery (diplomacy)|chancery]].<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop"/>{{Rp|95}} Ambassador Bishop made an urgent request to Washington for two platoons of soldiers to parachute into the embassy to defend it until the ships arrived.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu" /><ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop"/>{{Rp|95}} The request was denied, but the Ambassador was told that an advance element from the vessels would reach the embassy the following morning.<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu"/><ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop"/>{{Rp|95}}

[[File:USS Guam (LPH-9) underway c1965.jpg|thumb|USS ''Guam'']]
USS ''Guam'' and USS ''Trenton'' began transit from the coast of Oman towards Mogadishu at 22:30 (23:30 Oman time){{efn|name=timezone}} on 2 January.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|13}} The commander of [[Amphibious Group 2]] (PHIBGRU TWO) had initially proposed a seven-ship Amphibious Task Group, composed of vessels anchored at [[Masirah Island]] (off Oman) and [[Dubai]] and including four amphibious ships so that the full range of amphibious capabilities would be available for the operation.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|12}} However, intervention in Kuwait seemed imminent{{efn|The US and allied countries would intervene in Kuwait two weeks later, on 17 January.}} and Commander, [[U.S. Naval Forces Central Command]], did not want to divert that many ships from the Persian Gulf (and was mindful of the ongoing extended deployment of [[Operation Sharp Edge]] off Liberia), thus the decision to send just two ships.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|12–13}} Although the two vessels were selected by mid-afternoon on 2 January, the transfer of some personnel from Dubai to Masirah and a decision to refuel the two ships (again, due to the potential risk of an extended operation like Sharp Edge) delayed departure by about ten hours.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|14}} ''Guam'' and ''Trenton'' carried forces from the 4th [[Marine Expeditionary Brigade]], specifically Charlie Co 1st Battalion 2nd Marines, including a detachment of CH-53E ''Super Stallion'' helicopters—the largest helicopters operated by the US military—and two squadrons of CH-46 ''Sea Knight'' helicopters.<ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|2}}

[[File:USS Trenton LPD-14 fleetweek2004.jpg|thumb|left|USS ''Trenton'']]
Planning began in earnest as the ships got underway, with a combined command center on ''Guam''.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|16}} --> On the morning of 3 January, the task force's command questioned why they were not given the option of an [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious landing]] and requested a [[Landing Ship, Tank|tank landing ship]] be added to the task force. The Seventh Fleet command staff, which were Pacific based, did not understand this request and denied it.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|16}} --> The various military staffs were operating with different sets of information.  Aboard ''Guam'', a warrant officer who had previously served as a [[Marine Security Guard]] (MSG) at the Mogadishu embassy during the mid-1980s was found.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|16}} --> The former MSG looked at the aboard ship material and said it was incorrect. The former MSG told planners that a new embassy had been planned and was under construction several years prior.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|16}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop"/>{{Rp|98}} --> In fact, the new embassy was located further inland. The two ships were from PHIBGRU Two and the Marines from the Second Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), both East Coast commands. They had received old intelligence material about Mogadishu. The Seventh Fleet staff had up-to-date information with the embassy's actual location.  After receiving updated information, task force commanders determined that a beach landing, requiring troops to fight their way across the city, was too risky.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|16}} --> Initial plans had the ships launch their helicopters at 01:00 on 7 January from just off the coast.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|16}} --> However, in response to indications from Ambassador Bishop that conditions in Mogadishu were deteriorating, planners considered {{convert|1050|nmi|adj=on}} and, later, {{convert|890|nmi|adj=on}} flights with the CH-53Es while the ships were still located in the northern [[Arabian Sea]].<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|17}} --> The situation in Mogadishu stabilized somewhat and the mission was delayed until 5 January.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|3, 16–17}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop"/>{{Rp|98}}

==Evacuation==
[[File:Unites States Embassy Mogadishu aerial.jpeg|thumb|Embassy compound viewed in 1992, after it was re-occupied to serve as headquarters for [[Operation Restore Hope]]. The walled [[chancery (diplomacy)|chancery]] (foreground) is most prominent, but it was further located within the walled embassy compound (note wall in upper left, top). The administrative office building (top right) and Marine House (top, right of center) are visible. The helicopter landing zone was between the chancery and Marine House, above the roundabout.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|6}}]]
On the evening of 4 January, the final execute order was issued for a 02:45{{efn|name=timezone}} launch of two CH-53E Super Stallions to arrive at the embassy at dawn.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|19}} --> The 60 soldiers selected for the security detail were issued weapons and ammunition. Two Marine Corps [[KC-130]] refueling tankers were mobilized closer to the operation, from [[Bahrain]] to Oman, to refuel the helicopters en route to Mogadishu<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|19}} --> and the two helicopters transferred from ''Trenton'' to ''Guam''.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|19, 22}}

===Security detail and first evacuees===
Two CH-53E Super Stallions carrying a 60-man security detail—51 Marines and nine Navy SEALs—departed ''Guam'' at 02:47, {{convert|466|nmi}} from the embassy, and were expected to arrive at 06:20.<ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|3}} They performed two aerial refuelings.<ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|23}} During the first refueling, a pipe burst on one of the helicopters, dousing Marines in fuel and nearly forcing a return to the ''Guam''; problems with the helicopters' navigation system also complicated the refueling rendezvous.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|23}} The helicopters arrived in Mogadishu at dawn, crossing the coast just south of the harbor at {{convert|25|-|50|ft}} in altitude on a route that was planned to avoid areas of more intense violence reported in the northern parts of the city.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|3, 23–24}} On their arrival in Mogadishu, the crew of the helicopters were using an outdated 1969 map, which showed the embassy in an isolated area.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|24}} Furthermore, they had been told the embassy could be discerned by its white stucco perimeter wall and golf course.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|23–24}} The embassy was, in fact, surrounded by new development and the crew saw white stucco walls around many buildings in the city.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|24}} The helicopters were flying too low to spot a strobe light which was placed on the embassy's water tower (the highest point within the embassy compound) and the golf course in the embassy compound had a black, oil-coated surface—not the familiar green grass that the helicopter crew would recognize.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|24, 26}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|98}}After breaking radio silence (their only direct communication with the embassy was unencrypted) to contact the embassy, they were able to discern it and land at 07:10.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|24}} As they arrived, a group of about 100 to 150 Somalis were attempting to enter the embassy compound via ladders on the wall, but scattered as the helicopters arrived.<ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|3, 23–26}}

The security detail moved to establish a perimeter around the embassy compound and the Air Force's AC-130 arrived to provide overhead support.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|24}} Ambassador Bishop gave the security detail clear instructions on the [[rules of engagement]]: they could only use deadly force if people came over the embassy compound's walls with obvious hostile intent.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|28}} He also identified three zones of defense, stating a preference to retreat to the third zone before the use of deadly force:<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|28}}
*the entire embassy compound
*the Chancery, Joint Administrative Office (JAO) building, Marine House, and the helicopter landing zone (HLZ)
*the chancery and JAO buildings (the two "safehaven" buildings where the evacuees were held)
Ambassador Bishop clearly explained his rationale to the security detail, which was to avoid any impression that they were intervening in the violence in Mogadishu.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|28}} He feared that the embassy would be targeted by organized attacks if any group involved in the clashes got the impression that the US was intervening in the conflict.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|28}} To this effect, he requested the [[Voice of America]] and [[BBC]] broadcast announcements that the forces were present only to evacuate the embassy and would not interfere in the conflict.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|28}} The Marines who had been doused in fuel during the refueling were able to take a shower and wash their clothes.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|30}}

[[File:Sikorsky CH-53E (USMC) 402.jpg|thumb|Marines board two CH-53E ''Super Stallion'' helicopters (with refueling probes attached) on [[USS Bataan (LHD-5)|USS ''Bataan'']], a ship similar to ''Guam'']]
After an hour on the ground, the helicopters left with the first 61 evacuees, including all American civilians<!-- "all non-official Americans" in CNA analysis --> and four heads of mission<!-- Nigerian, Turkish, & UAE ambassadors and Omani chargé -->.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|24}} Evacuees were provided blankets on one of the flights to remain warm.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|24}} Complications with the only in-flight refueling on the return nearly prevented refueling, which would have forced the helicopters to divert to the Somali desert and await a rescue.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|25}} At 9:40, the helicopters arrived on ''Guam'' and unloaded the evacuees.<ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|25}}

===Embassy during the day===
No threats came upon the embassy during the day, although truckloads of armed Somalis frequently drove by the embassy along Afghoy Road.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|29}} --> Only one incident seemed to directly target the embassy.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|31}} --> A sniper and a spotter were positioned on the embassy's water tower (the highest structure in the compound) and came under fire; they were ordered to not return fire and soon thereafter ordered to leave their position on the water tower.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|29, 31}}

The Office of Military Cooperation, just one and a half blocks from the embassy, required evacuation.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|29}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|99}} --> Despite its proximity to the embassy, an armed convoy was needed to evacuate persons trapped there by the unrest.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|29}} --> A convoy of vehicles with several Marines and SEALs left the embassy at 8:47 and returned ten minutes later with 22 persons from the OMC (four Americans, a Filipino, and 17 Kenyans).<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|29}} --> This was the only excursion outside the embassy by the security detail.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|29}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|99–100}} --> Throughout the day, foreign diplomats contacted the embassy desiring to be evacuated; the US welcomed these requests, but required all of them to find their own transportation to the embassy.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|29}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|99–100}}

A Somali officer who had a previous relationship with the embassy, Major Siad, agreed to travel to rescue the German chargé d'affaires and British ambassador (junior staff from the British embassy had previously come to the US embassy).<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|100}}<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|29}} The Soviet Union was unable to land a plane in Mogadishu the previous day<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|10}} and the Soviet ambassador asked Ambassador Bishop if he and his staff could be rescued; Ambassador Bishop, a tennis partner of his Soviet counterpart, agreed but only if they found their own way to the embassy.<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|100}}<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|29}}  Seeing the helicopters on the morning of 5 January, they realized the Americans would not remain in the city much longer. At the request of Ambassador Bishop, Major Siad agreed to transport the Soviets, but only if he was paid enough; the US embassy paid Major Siad, who returned with the Soviet ambassador and 38 of his staff.<ref name="ADST: Evacuating Somalia" /><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|29}} The brother of President Barre, who was also a Major General and Chief of Police, showed up at the embassy in the afternoon with 25 members of his family requesting to be evacuated, but was turned away after a vocal conversation with the ambassador.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|30}}

The operation did not include Marines to handle the evacuation control center (ECC), which was set up in the JAO<!-- the CNA analysis does not explicitly state the ECC was set up in the JAO, but states that evacuees were processed in the JAO and the ECC is the part of an evacuation operation that handles evacuees -->.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|30–32}} --> A 44-person force consisting primarily of Marines to handle the ECC was planned for insertion with the CH-53E ''Super Stallions'' after they had returned to the ''Guam''.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|30}} --> However, this was cancelled over objections from the commander of the security detail.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|30}} --> The deficit was partially handled by embassy staff who assisted a few soldiers from the security detail.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|30}} --> The evacuees were grouped into 15-person "sticks" to be loaded onto the helicopters and were limited to one piece of luggage apiece.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|30–31}} --> Some attempted to bring more, resulting in problems coordinating their evacuation.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|31}} --> Furthermore, many evacuees had pets they wanted to bring, which were not allowed.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|31}} --> Most pets were killed by their owners; some were given poison.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|31}} --> Meanwhile, the Marines were allowed to consume anything they wanted from the embassy's commissary, such as candy, sodas, and souvenirs (most had been stationed on ships for several months).<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|30}} --> They were also allowed use or take anything they needed from the embassy; the medic filled several bags with medical supplies to return to the ship.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|30–32}}

As evening approached, work began to prepare the HLZ for the main evacuation.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|32}} --> The area was used as a parking lot and several vehicles were left without keys by staff that had already been evacuated. Some cars had to be broken into to be moved.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|32}} --> [[Glow stick|Chemical lights]] were placed in the HLZ in a NATO "Y" pattern.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|32}} --> The entire mission would be conducted with [[Night vision device|night vision goggles]], which required all lights in the embassy compound to be turned off.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|31–32}}

===Main evacuation===
[[File:Defense.gov News Photo 040707-N-6208N-104.jpg|thumb|Two CH-46 ''Sea Knight'' helicopters departing [[USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)|USS ''Kearsarge'']], a ship similar to ''Guam'']]
The main evacuation occurred in the early morning hours of 6 January and consisted of four waves of five CH-46 helicopters.<ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|33}} The timing of this phase was determined by the range of the CH-46 ''Sea Knight'', which lack aerial refueling capability; the ships were about {{convert|350|-|380|nmi|abbr=on}} away during this phase.<ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit" /> An AC-130 was sent from Saudi Arabia to provide gunfire support during the evacuation and two [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1 ''Iroquois'']] helicopters were on standby to provide gunfire support, but were not deployed.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|33–35}}

The first wave departed ''Guam'' at 23:43.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|33}} As the second wave landed, Major Siad arrived at the embassy gate accompanied by two truckloads of soldiers and held a grenade in one hand and a radio in the other.<!-- <ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|33}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|100–101}} --> His request to speak with the ambassador was granted. Major Siad demanded that the evacuation cease immediately because the Somali government had not granted the US permission to carry out such a military operation.<!-- <ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|33}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|100–101}} --> He claimed that he would radio soldiers to shoot down the helicopters if the operation continued.<!-- <ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|33}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|100–101}} --> The second and third waves were able to depart without incident as the ambassador negotiated with the Major, who finally agreed to settle the matter for several thousand dollars in cash and keys to the ambassador's armored car.<!-- <ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|33}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|100–101}} --> Ambassador Bishop remained engaged in conversation with the Major until he reached the helicopter landing zone to depart with the final wave to prevent the Major from reneging on the deal.<!-- <ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|33}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|100–101}} --> The final wave departed the embassy at 1:49 and landed on ''Guam'' at 2:23; twenty minutes later, Ambassador Bishop declared the evacuation complete.<ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript"/><ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|33–34}}<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|100–101}}

===Aftermath at the embassy===
Armed looters were observed entering the embassy compound as the final wave departed.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|34}} --> The doors of the chancery—the main building of the embassy—were reportedly blown open by RPGs within two hours of the embassy's evacuation.<!-- <ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|34}} --> Somali employees of the embassy—known as foreign service nationals (FSNs)—could not be evacuated. Ambassador Bishop tried unsuccessfully to have these employees airlifted to safer parts of Somalia. Many of the FSNs had sought refuge in the embassy with their families and about 30 were hired as guards and protected the embassy throughout the ordeal. Local banks had been closed for some time and the embassy was unable to pay the FSNs. The Ambassador left the FSNs with keys to the commissary and warehouse on the embassy compound and they were permitted to take anything they needed.<ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript"/><ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|101–102}}<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|34}}

===Return to Oman===
[[File:Ambassadors letter of thanks for Operation Eastern Exit.jpg|thumb|upright|Letter thanking the crew of the USS ''Guam'' for the evacuation, signed by the heads of missions that were evacuated]]
A total of 281 evacuees were taken from the embassy, including 12 heads of missions (eight [[ambassador]]s and four [[chargé d'affaires|chargés d'affaires]]) and 61 Americans (including Ambassador Bishop and 36 embassy staff).<ref name="State Dept: History" /><ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit" /> A 282nd evacuee was added to the total with a 10 January Caesarean delivery of a baby aboard ''Guam''.<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|39}} The heads of mission were the ambassadors of the United States, [[Kenya]], [[Nigeria]], [[Soviet Union]], [[Sudan]], [[Turkey]], [[United Arab Emirates]], and [[United Kingdom]] and the chargés of the embassies of [[Germany]], [[Kuwait]], Oman, and [[Qatar]].<ref name="ADST: Evacuating Somalia"/>

Rather than disembark in nearby Mombasa, as originally thought by the evacuees, the ships were ordered back to Oman—a five-day journey. The sailors and marines made way for the evacuees to share living quarters. When the chaplain of ''Guam'' asked crew to sign up as guides for the evacuees while aboard the vessel, two hundred signed up within an hour, and some of the sailors even dressed up as clowns to ease the ordeal for children.<!-- <ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu" /><ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|102}} --> At the request of the ambassadors, a formal session with the ships' senior officers was held to express their thanks.<!-- <ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|102}} --> On 11 January, the evacuees were offloaded at Muscat, Oman.<ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit"/><ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu" /><ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|102}}<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit" />{{Rp|2}} That afternoon, the American evacuees were flown to Frankfurt, Germany, from where they continued home.<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop" />{{Rp|102}}

==See also==
*[[List of military operations]]
*[[Military operations other than war]] (MOOTW)

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="ADST: Ambassador Bishop">{{cite web|last1=Kennedy|first1=Charles|title=Ambassador James K. Bishop, Jr.|url=http://www.adst.org/OH%20TOCs/Bishop,%20James%20K.%20Jr.pdf|website=The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training|access-date=27 February 2015|date=1998}}</ref>
<ref name="ADST: Evacuating Somalia">{{cite web|title=Evacuating Somalia|url=http://adst.org/2014/01/evacuating-somalia/|website=Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training|access-date=26 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710095653/http://adst.org/2014/01/evacuating-somalia/|archive-date=10 July 2014 |date=January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="CNA: Operation Eastern Exit">{{cite web|last1=Siegel|first1=Adam|title=Eastern Exit: The Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) From Mogadishu, Somalia in January 1991|url=https://www.cna.org/sites/default/files/research/2791021100.pdf|website=Center for Naval Analyses|publisher=[[Center for Naval Analyses]]|access-date=26 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226051736/https://www.cna.org/sites/default/files/research/2791021100.pdf|archive-date=26 February 2015|location=Alexandria, Virginia|date=October 1991|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Embassy coordinates">{{cite web|title=The Chancery Building. (Mogadishu)|url=http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=2.036537&lon=45.295365&z=17&m=b&permpoly=16012456&show=/3724432/The-Chancery-Building-|website=Wikimapia|access-date=26 February 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="FSJ: Escape from Mogadishu">{{cite journal|last1=Bishop|first1=James K.|title=Escape From Mogadishu|journal=Foreign Service Journal|date=March 1991|pages=26–31|url=http://www.usdiplomacy.org/downloads/pdf/harmsway/Bishop1990.pdf|access-date=26 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121352/http://www.usdiplomacy.org/downloads/pdf/harmsway/Bishop1990.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Globalsecurity: Operation Eastern Exit">{{cite web|title=Operation Eastern Exit|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/eastern_exit.htm|website=Globalsecurity.org|access-date=25 February 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="History: Iraq invades Kuwait">{{cite web|title=On this day in history—August 2: Iraq invades Kuwait|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/iraq-invades-kuwait|website=History.com|access-date=25 March 2015|quote=At about 2 a.m. local time, Iraqi forces invade Kuwait, Iraq’s tiny, oil-rich neighbor.}}</ref>
<ref name="NYT: Embassy evacuation">{{cite news|last1=Perlez|first1=Jane|title=U.S. and Italy Evacuating Foreigners in Somalia|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/06/world/us-and-italy-evacuating-foreigners-in-somalia.html|access-date=26 February 2015|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=6 January 1991}}</ref>
<ref name="State Dept: History">{{cite web|title=A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Somalia|url=https://history.state.gov/countries/somalia|website=history.state.gov|publisher=U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian|access-date=25 February 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="USDiplomacy: Bishop transcript">{{cite web|title=Video Transcript James K. Bishop—Mogadishu 1990|url=http://www.usdiplomacy.org/accessibility/transcripts/bishop.html|website=USDiplomacy.org|access-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122759/http://www.usdiplomacy.org/accessibility/transcripts/bishop.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
<small>'''Notes about references''': For PDF files, the reference page is the page number appearing on the document, not the page number in the PDF file. Except the introduction, the article ''Evacuating Somalia'' is a verbatim excerpt, with some short omissions (denoted by ellipses) from pages 94–104 the document ''Ambassador James K. Bishop, Jr.'' (both were published by the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training).</small>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eastern Exit, Operation}}
[[Category:1991 in Somalia]]
[[Category:Somalia–United States relations]]
[[Category:Non-combat military operations involving the United States]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps in the 20th century]]
[[Category:Military expeditions of the United States]]
[[Category:Non-combatant evacuation operations]]
[[Category:Military operations of the Somali Civil War]]
[[Category:American involvement in the Somali Civil War]]
[[Category:January 1991 in Africa]]