Operation United Shield
Encyclopedia
Operation United Shield was the name given to a multinational
military operation that was conducted from 9 January 1992 to 3 March 1995. The purpose of Operation United Shield was the safe evacuation of all United Nations
peacekeeping
troop
s from Somalia
. The Combined Task Force (CTF) comprised U.S.
, Italian
, Pakistan
i, Bangladesh
i, French
, British
, and Malaysian forces.
established 31 March 1995 as the deadline for the departure of all its forces participating in U.N. operations in Somalia.
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.
went ashore, the UNOSOM forces had consolidated and withdrawn to New Port and Mogadishu International Airport.
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 March 1, 1995, 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.
Multinational force
A Multinational force is a multinational operation which may be defensive, aggressive, or peacekeeping.Multinational forces include:* Multinational Force and Observers * Multinational Force in LebanonNATO:* IFOR* SFOR...
military operation that was conducted from 9 January 1992 to 3 March 1995. The purpose of Operation United Shield was the safe evacuation of all United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
troop
Troop
A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. In many armies a troop is the equivalent unit to the infantry section or platoon...
s from Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. The Combined Task Force (CTF) comprised U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
i, French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and Malaysian forces.
Timeline of United Nations involvement in Somalia
- 23 January 1992: United Nations Security Council Resolution 733United Nations Security Council Resolution 733United Nations Security Council Resolution 733, adopted unanimously on January 23, 1992, after expressing its alarm at the situation in Somalia regarding the heavy loss of life, destruction to property and threat to regional stability, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations...
imposed an arms embargoArms embargoAn arms embargo is an embargo that applies to weaponry. It may also include "dual use" items. An arms embargo may serve one or more purposes:# to signal disapproval of behavior by a certain actor,# to maintain neutral standing in an ongoing conflict, or...
on Somalia - 17 March 1992: United Nations Security Council Resolution 746United Nations Security Council Resolution 746United Nations Security Council Resolution 746, adopted unanimously on March 17, 1992, after reaffirming Resolution 733 , noting a ceasefire agreement in Mogadishu and a report by the Secretary-General, the Council urged the continuation of the United Nations humanitarian work in Somalia and...
creates United Nations Operation in Somalia I (UNOSOM I), a force composed of 50 military observers, 3,500 security personnel, up to 719 logistic support personnel, and approximately 200 international civilian staff. The mission of UNOSOM I was:- 1. to monitor the cease-fire in Mogadishu and help to restore order in Somalia after the dissolution of its central government
- 2. to provide security for United Nations personnel, equipment and supplies at the seaports and airports in Mogadishu
- 3. to escort deliveries of humanitarian supplies from there to distribution centers in and around Mogadishu
- 24 April 1992: United Nations Security Council Resolution 751United Nations Security Council Resolution 751United Nations Security Council Resolution 751, adopted unanimously on April 24, 1992, after reaffirming resolutions 733 and 746 and considering a report by the Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on the ongoing civil war in Somalia, the Council established a United Nations Operation in...
- 27 July 1992: United Nations Security Council Resolution 767United Nations Security Council Resolution 767United Nations Security Council Resolution 767, adopted unanimously on July 24, 1992, after reaffirming resolutions 733 , 746 and 751 , the Council noted the ongoing humanitarian efforts in Somalia by the United Nations and the deteriorating political situation in the country.The Council requested...
- 28 August 1992: United Nations Security Council Resolution 775United Nations Security Council Resolution 775United Nations Security Council Resolution 775, adopted unanimously on August 28, 1992, after reaffirming resolutions 733 , 746 , 751 and 767 considering a report by the Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on the ongoing civil war in Somalia, the Council decided to increase the strength of...
expands the mandate and strength of UNOSOM I, tasking it with the protection of humanitarian aid convoys and distribution centers throughout Somalia. UNOSOM troop strength was increased to 4,219 troops and 50 military observers. The additional security personnel began to arrive in Mogadishu on 14 September 1992. - 3 December 1992: United Nations Security Council Resolution 794United Nations Security Council Resolution 794United Nations Security Council Resolution 794, adopted unanimously on December 3, 1992, after reaffirming resolutions 733 , 746 , 751 , 767 and 775 , the Council expressed grave concern at the deteriorating situation in Somalia and authorised the creation of the Unified Task Force to create a...
approved a greatly expanded coalition of United Nations peacekeepers to be led by the United States. The reorganized force would be called Unified Task Force (UNITAF). - 4 December 1992: U.S. President George H. W. BushGeorge H. W. BushGeorge Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
announces the commencement of Operation Restore Hope, under which the United States would assume command of all U.N. forces in order to carry out the mandate of Resolution 794. - 9 December 1992: UNITAF forces begin to arrive in Somalia on 9 December 1992 to carry out the mandate of United Nations Security Council Resolution 794. UNITAF was tasked with ensuring the safe distribution of humanitarian aid throughout Somalia (primarily in the south) to alleviate famineFamineA famine is a widespread scarcity of food, caused by several factors including crop failure, overpopulation, or government policies. This phenomenon is usually accompanied or followed by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic, and increased mortality. Every continent in the world has...
conditions. - 26 March 1993: United Nations Security Council Resolution 814United Nations Security Council Resolution 814United Nations Security Council Resolution 814, adopted unanimously on March 26, 1993, after reaffirming resolutions 733 , 746 , 751 , 767 , 775 and 794 on the ongoing civil war in Somalia, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, authorised an extension of the United...
establishes United Nations Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II) - 4 May 1993: UNITAF is dissolved, and UNOSOM II assumes responsibility for all U.N. operations in Somalia.
- 5 June 1993: UNOSOM II peacekeepers fired into a mob of stone-throwing women and children who acted as a human shield to conceal one or more Somali snipers. 24 UNOSOM II troops (all of whom were Pakistanis) and about 20 Somali civilians were killed in the exchange.
- 6 June 1993: United Nations Security Council Resolution 837United Nations Security Council Resolution 837United Nations Security Council Resolution 837, adopted unanimously on June 6, 1993, after reaffirming resolutions 733 , 746 , 751 , 767 , 775 , 794 and 814 , the Council condemned the attacks on the United Nations Operation in Somalia II in which 24 Pakistani troops deployed in the Unified Task...
- August 1994: the UN requested that the US lead a coalition to aid in the final withdrawal of UNOSOM II forces from Somalia.
- December 1994: POTUS agreed to the UN request, and directed CINCCinc-Studio albums:*Osečev sjaj *Ponašanje *Polyphonic Poetry -Various artists compilations:*Music for Baby *11...
CENTCOM (General Binford PeayJ.H. Binford Peay IIIJames Henry Binford "Binnie" Peay III is a retired four-star General from the United States Army and is currently the 14th Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute....
of the United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
) to execute Operation United Shield. - 9 January to 3 March 1995: Operation United Shield
Background and leadership of Operation United Shield
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 Pentagon announced that 4,000 US CENTCOM personnel (including 2,600 U.S. Marines) would be deployed to Somalia for Operation United Shield to assist in the final withdrawal of United Nations peacekeeping troops from Somalia. At that time, the peacekeeping force remaining in Somalia consisted of a total of approximately 2,500 troops from Pakistan and Bangladesh. The decision came in response to a request from the U.N. for American protection of its peacekeeping forces serving in the war-torn African nation. The United Nations Security CouncilUnited Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
established 31 March 1995 as the deadline for the departure of all its forces participating in U.N. operations in Somalia.
LtGen Anthony Zinni
Anthony Zinni
Anthony Charles Zinni is a retired four-star General in the United States Marine Corps and a former Commander in Chief of U.S. Central Command...
(Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force) was given command of the operation, which was to ensure the safe execution of an amphibious withdrawal
Amphibious warfare (United States)
The United States has a long history in amphibious warfare from the landings in the Bahamas during the American Revolutionary War, to some of the more massive examples of World War II in the European Theater of Operation on Normandy, and in Africa and Italy, as well as the constant island warfare...
. 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 of Operation United Shield
- 7 January 1995: LtGen Anthony Zinni (Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force) assembled a Combined Task Force consisting of air, ground, naval, psychological, and special operations forces. Coalition forces from Italy, France, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh joined the CTF, under LtGen Zinni's command.
- 17 January 1995: CTF headquarters flew to Singapore and embarked aboard USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3).
- 7 February 1995: USS Belleau Wood and its accompanying ships arrived on station at Mogadishu.
- 27–28 February 1995: Just before midnight, Mogadishu time, an amphibious landing began. During this operation, which lasted a little over four hours, the U.S. put a mechanized force consisting of about 1,800 US Marines and 350 Italian Marines, along with 150 pieces of military equipment ashore. These men and machines (including LCULCULCU may refer to:* Landing Craft Utility* Lubbock Christian University* Lookahead Carry Unit* Local currency unit* Local colleges and universities in the Philippines* Least Competent User Usability testing* Logical Control Unit...
s LAVLAVLAV or Lav may refer to:* Light armoured vehicles** LAV-25, used by the United States Marine Corps** LAV III, in service with the Canadian and New Zealand armed forces...
s, AAVAAVAAV is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:In aviation & military:* Allah Valley Airport , in Allah Valley, Mindanao, Philippines* Astro Air International, Inc...
s, and LCACLCACThe Landing Craft Air Cushion is a class of air-cushion vehicle used as landing craft by the United States Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force...
s) were employed to rapidly secure Mogadishu International Airport and New Port (the seaport facility). The entire amphibious landing was complete by 0430 on the morning of 28 February.
- 28 February 1995: The UNOSOM II command was relieved, and the CTF began withdrawing the UNOSOM II forces.
- 3 March 1995: 73 hours after the beginning of the amphibious landing, 2,422 United Nations troops, approximately 3,800 CTF troops and over a hundred combat vehicles had been withdrawn without any loss of life among any of the coalition forces.
- 6 March 1995: the CTF redeployed to their respective home stations.
- 17 March 1995: the CTF was disestablished.
Factors critical to the success of Operation United Shield
By the time the Landing ForceLanding operation
A landing operation is a military action aimed at a bringing the landing force usually via landing craft to a shore or to land with the purpose of power projection ashore by forces coming usually from ships and also aircraft and able to fight....
went ashore, the UNOSOM forces had consolidated and withdrawn to New Port and Mogadishu International Airport.
The most critical stage of Operation United Shield began when the ground combat element
Ground combat element
In the United States Marine Corps, the Ground combat element is the land force of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force . It provides power projection and force for the MAGTF.-Role within the MAGTF:...
(GCE) of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Marine Expeditionary Unit
A Marine expeditionary unit , formerly called Marine amphibious unit , is the smallest Marine air-ground task force in the United States Fleet Marine Force...
(MEU) conducted an amphibious landing on "green beach," near Mogadishu International Airport
Mogadishu International Airport
Aden Adde International Airport , formerly known as Mogadishu International Airport, is the international airport for Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. It is named after Aden Abdullah Osman Daar, the first President of Somalia....
. 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 March 1, 1995, 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.
American
- USS Belleau WoodUSS Belleau Wood (LHA-3)USS Belleau Wood , nicknamed "Devil Dog", was the second ship named after the battle of Belleau Wood in World War I. Her keel was laid down on 5 March 1973 at Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Ingalls Shipbuilding. She was launched on 11 April 1977, and commissioned on 23 September 1978, with Captain T.C...
(LHA-3), an amphibious assault ship that served as the Command Platform - USS EssexUSS Essex (LHD-2)USS Essex is a built at what is now Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and commissioned on 17 October 1992 while moored at North Island NAS beside the Kitty Hawk . It is the fifth ship named for Essex County, Massachusetts...
(LHD-2), an amphibious assault ship - USS OgdenUSS Ogden (LPD-5)USS Ogden , an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Ogden, Utah....
(LPD-5), an amphibious transport dock ship - USS Fort FisherUSS Fort Fisher (LSD-40)USS Fort Fisher was an Anchorage-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy.Fort Fisher was laid down on 15 July 1970 at General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding and launched on 22 April 1972. She was commissioned on 9 December 1972....
((LSD-40)|), a dock landing ship - USS Lake ErieUSS Lake Erie (CG-70)USS Lake Erie is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser in the United States Navy. She is named for the decisive USN victory in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812....
(CG-70), a guided-missile cruiser - USS Kiska (AE-35), a replenishment ship (USNS Kiska (T-AE-35) as of Aug. 1996)
Italian
- Garibaldi (551), an Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft Carrier (CVS–ASW)
- StromboliStromboliStromboli is a small island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the north coast of Sicily, containing one of the three active volcanoes in Italy. It is one of the eight Aeolian Islands, a volcanic arc north of Sicily. This name is a corruption of the Ancient Greek name Strongulē which was given to it...
(A 5327), a replenishment ship