Operation Eastern Exit - 1990

[CrockettJW]

Is it wrong for me to think that most people don't know about or never knew about Operation Eastern Exit in 1990?

[michagnu]

Yes it's probably true that few are aware of it. It happened January 1991 in the shadow of Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

[CrockettJW]

Compared to Desert Storm, it was a really small operation and it was only about 10 days before the air war started, so it's easy to understand how it was forgotten.

[03Mike]

Ballsy operation - well led, well executed, largely forgotten.

[retiredgrunt]

I actually part took in that operation,what allot of people dont know is we refueled ch53 while they were in flight,and in the other helo not mine the fuel spilled all over the inside of the helo and most of the marines got gas on them before we even landed,into a hot LZ>>a team was also sent out into the city,this was during a civil war, to retrieve people.extremly dangerous and forgotten but i will never for get it, years later while watching the history channel or some other channel they gave all the credit to the navy seals i can assure you there were no seals in the OP but they get the credit,again LOL, Marines just do work and semper fi,,,,

[Phantom Blooper]

Operation Eastern Exit was the codename given to the military evacuation of the United States embassy (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Ambassador_to_Somalia) in Mogadishu (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mogadishu), Somalia (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somalia). On January 1, 1991, after increasing violence in Mogadishu during the Somali Civil War (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_Civil_War), James Keough Bishop (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Keough_Bishop&action=edit&redlink=1), the then US ambassador to Somalia, requested military assistance to evacuate the embassy.(Global Security.org n.d. (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Eastern_Exit#CITEREFGlobal_Security.orgn .d.)) Over the course of the subsequent nine days, the United States military including the USS Guam (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Guam_(LPH-9)), the USS Trenton (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Trenton_(LPD-14)), the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Expeditionary_Brigade), Air Force (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force) AC-130s (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_AC-130) and Navy SEALs (mhtml:{D17178DD-5484-4FB6-9762-59CD35177C7C}mid://00000004/!x-usc:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_SEALs) successfully evacuated 281 diplomats.

[CrockettJW]

I actually part took in that operation,what allot of people dont know is we refueled ch53 while they were in flight,and in the other helo not mine the fuel spilled all over the inside of the helo and most of the marines got gas on them before we even landed,into a hot LZ>>a team was also sent out into the city,this was during a civil war, to retrieve people.extremly dangerous and forgotten but i will never for get it, years later while watching the history channel or some other channel they gave all the credit to the navy seals i can assure you there were no seals in the OP but they get the credit,again LOL, Marines just do work and semper fi,,,,

I remember all of that, except one part: there were definitely SEALs there. I remember seeing them. I talked to a couple of them. You couldn't miss them. They were dressed differently from everyone else and carried some odd weapons.

I remember the helo that had fuel spilled all over it. I remember talking to the crew chief about it, or maybe it was someone else, but I think it was a guy from 365. I think it was a guy named Enright, but I can't remember if he was on that helo or if he was just the guy who told me about it.

[retiredgrunt]

Well It was along time ago, but what ship were you on because i was on the helos and i dont remember any seals ever on the guam ,we had some CIA for awhile.But maybe seals only talk to officers,lol,they werent on my ch 53 and my fellow marines never mention seals so i have to respectfully diagree devil dog,if they were there I never saw them and they didnt ride with us,and as far as i knew we were they only ones around,so they must have been invisble ,sorry i was there, but then again it was along time ago,and memories get blurred but that what i remember ,and I am sticking with that,but it always bothered me that they got all the credit.

[retiredgrunt]

also what unit were you with ,i was in charlie and COmm platoon,

[CrockettJW]

I was on the Guam. I was enlisted in those days. I was with MWSS-274, but I had only been attached to them for Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I had been with MWSS-272 and HMM-365 before that.

I know there were SEALs there because I talked to them in one of the break rooms on the O-2 deck when they were waiting to go in.

[retiredgrunt]

well who was your commanding officer ,and I dont remember you, as a matter of fact i just got finished looking and checking the float book they gave us with all our photos and names didnt see a jw crokett.LOL, so if you were on ship what was the captins name and who were your ncoic and oic,what dept, 1st squad etc,,,and as far as saying you couldnt miss the seals well i missed them and i was on a helo and i am a grunt,that op happened in the early morning almost everyone was asleep,how come you never spoke to the grunts marines that part took in the op but you spoke to seals,how and when did they get on board we were very far away from land ,so your telling me the seals were some how snuck on board,and only you saw them,lol.I dont appreaciate the comment you couldnt miss them...I missed them and i just called my old marine buddy he doesnt remember any seals around...either.So My personal feeling is you werent there,and if you were you only heard stories.Which team was it,and why would we even need them when we have sta plt etc,,,My ncioc was gunny eboli,and i can name some guys that did the op as well .

[CrockettJW]

Whoa, now. I didn't mean to offend you. Why all of the accusations all of a sudden?

You didn't look through that whole float book. If you did, you would have seen me. They did misspell my name as "Crocket," but that's not the only mistake in that float book, but I'm there.

Now, you may not remember me, but that was over 20 years ago.

Also, I'm not the only one who saw them. Out of you and me, I'm the only one who saw them.

[retiredgrunt]

LOL, I will let it go,my old marine buddy told me that they may have been on the guam for a short while,but that he never saw them so I am letting it go,I just didnt like the statement you couldnt miss them it implied that i was lying ,operations have lots of things that happen,I only can tell my exsperience and I also am upset that they seem to get allot of credit they dont deserve,and seem to love all the high profile ops,but I willl let it go .IN the end we all served our country and did it honorably.SEmper FI ,But i will say this we did most of the work since there were many more of us,but history seems to only remember them,but thats LIfe....

[3531corporal]

LOL, I will let it go,my old marine buddy told me that they may have been on the guam for a short while,but that he never saw them so I am letting it go,I just didnt like the statement you couldnt miss them it implied that i was lying ,operations have lots of things that happen,I only can tell my exsperience and I also am upset that they seem to get allot of credit they dont deserve,and seem to love all the high profile ops,but I willl let it go .IN the end we all served our country and did it honorably.SEmper FI ,But i will say this we did most of the work since there were many more of us,but history seems to only remember them,but thats LIfe....

i was aboard the USS TRENTON and was involved in this operation. we had seals onboard with us, don't hold my feet to the fire but i think it was seal team 8, did matitime intadiction with them, don't remember if they went in with us or not, memory aint what it used to be

[CrockettJW]

On the Guam, I think we were only involved in MIO for a really short time, and that was just before Eastern Exit. I think we had a Canadian or British ship with us at the time, too, but I can't remember which one it was.

[ch53ecrewchief]

I was the crewchief on the lead aircraft that had the fuel leak.I remember it like yesterday and yes we did have seals onboard.I brought them ove from the Trenton.Theysecured the te main building upon landing.Semper Fi.

[CrockettJW]

I was the crewchief on the lead aircraft that had the fuel leak.I remember it like yesterday and yes we did have seals onboard.I brought them ove from the Trenton.Theysecured the te main building upon landing.Semper Fi.

Welcome to the site! Which squadron were you with?

[ch53ecrewchief]

I was in HMH-461.I spent most of the time on the Iwo Jima but was sent to the Trenton for the operation.

[CrockettJW]

I was in HMH-461.I spent most of the time on the Iwo Jima but was sent to the Trenton for the operation.

I'm glad I wasn't on the Iwo. I had gotten off that crappy boat in April of 1990 after a six-month cruise with HMM-365. That ship was a real tub compared to the Guam.

[cpltmthornton]

I was in HMH-461.I spent most of the time on the Iwo Jima but was sent to the Trenton for the operation.
I was on the Iwo Jima with Alpha Co 1/2
do you remember anything about how we got involved.
we guarded two Helos in a perimeter.
I remeber the Marine enlisted staying and the officers went to the embassy.
Hrs later they loaded cardboard boxes. and we flew back.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?
also, did any marine enlisted get recognized for this operation?
Cpl T Thornton

[MarineCopLawyer]

The USS Trenton and USS Guam were tasked to respond, the Seal teams were brought aboard the USS Guam, the first two hilo's on the ground were from the USS Guam and from HMM 365. The ambassador, James K. Biship, sent the Marines aboard the second Hilo back,he was not appreciative of 20 officers with side arms coming in to try and get a medal, elements from 2d force-recon, one an actual bomb on collar Gunner, and elements from 2d Fast Company, fast roped into sections of the city to ensure safe passage for civilians from other embassies to arrive for evacution. The rest of the Marines on the gound were from 1Battalian 2Marines. We even evacuted the Russians with their KGB agents. All civilians were taken aboard the USS Guam and given medical treatment. A Somalian Native even gave birth to her son on board. All civilians were taken to Muscat Oman. We were given liberty the first night in port, half of each unit was given liberty the first night the other half got it the next night. I was in group one. Hotels serve alcohol. We got drunk, got back to the Guam by midnight, 30 minutes later we were under way at full speed, the Captain of the Guam, Captain Charles Saffel, Broke radio silence and announced to the Marines, and I guess the sailers, that the US had just started a bombing campaign in Iraq.
That's how it happened, I have a page 13 entry in my SRB signed by the Diplomatic Heads of State from all the embassies we evacuated, also have the piuctures and a 1000 dollar Somalian bill signed by the German Ambassador's secretary, who was smoking hot. The Fuel leak was real, I was on the fifth hilo to go in off the Guam, we had to go back below and grab an extra set of utilities to take with before we took off. Didn't know why till we landed.

[cook416]

I was on the USS Guam, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines and there were some seals on board, They appeared, i guess, before we left. I never remember seeing them on board until the actual mission. Before we flew in we saw them and the gear in the hangar. They didnt fly with us, I didnt see them when we got there but they were on ship and geared up to go. I think there were some Recon Marines there as well. I still have a backpack and a t shirt that is from the embassy commisary.
I agree, looking back, i twas a very well executed operation.

[SERGEANTL]

Your information is incorrect.I was a member of the rescue force that went in which was a combined force of 51 Marines and 9 Navy Seals.46 Marines were from Charlie Company 1/2 1 marine our Battalion Commander Lt.Col Mcaleer 4 Marines from BSSG and the 9 Navy Seals.2nd Force Recon did not go in there was no Fast Company and 20 officers were not sent back.We did not have that many on the mission.Nobody fast roped into sections of the city.When the 2 CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters landed in the compound a hour later they took off with the first 60 civillian evacues for the return flight to Guam and they did not return and no more Marines came into the compound.The USS Guam was not even in range to launch the CH-46 Sea Knights until near midnight on jan 5.When they came in they evacuated the rest of the evacues and the 60 man rescue force.If you google Operation Eastern Exit by Adam Siegel who was a reporter who was actually on board the Guam who did a accurate extensive report on the mission.There you will find the facts.I do not know where you received your info from,but you give this mission no justice with these false reports.What unit were you with may I ask?

[SERGEANTL]

Your information is incorrect.I was a member of the 60 man rescue force that went in.I was a team leader with Charlie Company 1/2.The rescue force consisted of 46 Marines from Charlie Company 1/2 1 Marine our Battalion Commander Lt.Col McAleer 4 Marines from BSSG and 9 Navy Seals from Seal Team 8 that crossdecked from U.S.S Trenton to U.S.S. Guam.2nd Force Recon did not go in there was no Fast Company,Nobody fasted roped into the city,Ambassador Bishop did not send 20 officers back to the ship,we did not have that many officers on the mission.When the 2 CH-53 helicopters touched down in the U.S. Embassy the morning of jan 5 1991 they stayed on the ground for 1 hour.When they took off for the return flight to Guam they had 60 civillian evacues on board.They did not return once they landed back on Guam,there mission was complete.No more Marines came into the compound.The U.S.S. Guam was not even in range to launch the CH-46 helicopters until near midnight on jan 5.When they came in to evacuate everyone else and the rescue force,there was only 4 waves.You give this mission no justice with your false reports.If you goggle Operation Eastern Exit by Adam Siegel there you will find the accurate report of the mission.He was a reporter that was on the Guam and he did a accurate extensive report.

[cook416]

We had a " bomb on the collar " gunner on the Guam...I think he was Gunner Steele and was super cool. He didnt go aboard but he was there when we were getting handed gear..ammo etc. and was talking to the Marines. I dont remember any officers being sent back. I dont remember anyone fast roping in. I honestly thought it was more Marines than 51 but my memory from 21 years ago probably isnt the greatest. I dont remember when we got liberty after that.
That, other than some field exercises were the extent of my Gulf War experience.
Does anyone recall when we were heloed onto land for exercises maybe in UAE? I dont know but our whole unit humped from maybe 2 pm and most of the night? We walked and walked and walked. I remember humping in the dark and singing songs in my mind because it was monotonous. When we got back to the Guam, we smelled so foul that the Navy guys would give us a wide berth before we all got showered. Then LTC Mcaleer told us that the higher brass was simulating that we were in helos but they didnt want to actually run the helos so we all humped. Does anyone recall that? Some guys fell out that day and I ended up humping extra gear and we started in flack jackets and helmets in that heat. Crazy.
I was with 1/2 Weapons attached to Charlie.

[SERGEANTL]

I was member of the rescue force.I was a team leader with Charlie Company 1/2.There were 9 Navy Seals from Seal Team 8 that went on the mission.If you goggle Operation Eastern Exit by Adam Siegel you willfind a accurate extensive report on the mission.He was a civilian reporter on Guam.

[cook416]

I do remember seeing some civilians on the Guam. Man we spent A LOT of time on board that ship. I remember that packed berthing area we slept in. I had mess on board about two months before I picked up Cpl. That sucked...washing pots and pans. One night my scullery partner...a Navy guy was manning a gun on drills all night so needless to say I didnt get all of the pots and pans washed before my shift ended. Some CPO ( he was about five feet one little black dude..anyone recall?) He made me stay after my shift to wash everything until our mess Gunny came in and told me to hit the rack and told the chief to find someone else to finish it. OOrraahh. Isnt that funny? No one ever talks about mess duty.

[SERGEANTL]

Semper Fi I replied to Marinecoplawyer with the false reports.There were only 51 Marines that went in.We could only get 30 soldiers on each CH-53 helicopter and that was even tight because we had so much gear weapons and ammunition.We launched from the U.S.S. Guam at 0247am on January 5 1991 at a distance of 466 nautical miles from Mogadishu,Somalia.Before we launched we received a short briefing from the senior crew chief.The Nine Seals were there as well.So cook you were with Weapons Company 1/2 attached to Charlie Company.I recall 1 hike we did when the helicopters dropped us off in the Desert of Oman for the Sea Soldier exercise at about 12 noon and we hiked until about 3am in the morning and when we stopped we were very tired and not happy.
Sergeant L
U.S. Marines

[cook416]

Im glad my memory serves me fairly well. I was a Dragon guy so when we had someone drop from that hump...they did have to stick an i.v. into the guy as I recall, I had to hump extra Dragon gear which was a load. I remember Sgt Smith, Staff Sgt Miller Perry and maybe a few other guys outside of the Dragons section. Remember that corporal who had the headache which turned out to be a brain tumor, I think , and passed away?

[SERGEANTL]

I was a team leader with Charlie Company 1/2 2nd Platoon.I was also a member of the 60 man rescue force that went in.The rescue force was a combined force 46 Marines from Charlie Company 1/2 1 Marine our Battalion Commander Lt.Col McAleer 4 Marines from BSSG and 9 Navy Seals from Seal team 8.If you goggle Operation Eastern Exit by Adam Siegel you will find a accurate extensive report of the mission.He was a civilian reporter on the Guam.Also Goggle Night Mission To Mogadishu.
Semper Fi

[SERGEANTL]

Yes Corporal Dennis Betz from our weapons platoon passed away.I believe Staff Sergeant Perry retired as a Sgt Major.I actually wrote a book about the mission Operation Eastern Exit titled Night Mission To Mogadishu.My website is the same as the title of my book .com.When you go on my website you will see a comment from one of the American Diplomats that was rescued on the talk with the author link.It is good to hear from a Marine that was there.

[cook416]

Wow.. yep that was him. Cpl Betz. I would have never pictured Staff Sgt Miller Perry as a Sgt Major but thats awesome. I played spades with him from time to time. He was a character.

[SERGEANTL]

You are correct it was 9 Navy Seals from Seal Team 8.I was a team leader with Charlie Company 1/2 that went on the mission.The rescue force was a 60 man rescue force combined of 46 Marines from Charlie Company 1/2 1 Marine Our Battalion Commander Lt.Col McAleer 4 Marines from BSSG and 9 Navy Seals with Seal Team 8.If you Goggle Operation Eastern Exit by Adam Siegel you will see a accurate extensive report on the mission.He was a civilian reporter on board the U.S.S. Guam

[SERGEANTL]

Yes Staff Sgt Perry was a character.We did play alot of spades games and Charlie Company even had a spades tournament.That was a long 8 months on that ship.Did you get the cruise book from that deployment?

[SERGEANTL]

There were a total of 9 Navy Seals from Seal Team 8 that went on the mission.The 60 man rescue force was combined of 46 Marines from Charlie Company 1/2 1 Marine our Battalion Commander Lt.Col McAleer 4 Marines from BSSG and the 9 Navy Seals from Seal Team 8 that crossdecked from the U.S.S.Trenton To the U.S.S. Guam.I am telling everybody if you goggle Operation Eastern Exit by Adam Siegel you will see a extensive detailed accurate report of the mission.He was a civilian reporter embarked on the U.S.S. Guam.Also goggle Night Mission To Mogadishu

[cook416]

I do have that somewhere. I will have to dig it out. I havent looked at it in years.
I remember the tournament and participated.

[Rcoop]

I was with Charlie Company 3rd Platoon (Lt. Mike McClain's) (page 143 of the cruse book) My platoon and 2nd platoon (Lt. VanOpdorph's) were the platoons that took part in the Op, along with SeAL team 8.

[UFGator44]

My name is Troy Smith, I was aboard the USS Trenton during Operation Eastern Exit. Their were definitely Seals aboard the Trenton. Whether they were involved in the evacuation, I do not know. I was a Lance Corporal at the time with the 4th MEB.

[JCMAHER]

I was one of the Embassy staff who was evacuated from the Mogadishu. There were a number of SEALs in the landing group. I believe they were from SEAL Team 7, and were based on the Trenton. But the Marines carried the load in the evac. Semper fi, and thanks.

[STA PLT]

Your name sound familiar. Are you Sgt Crockett from STA PLT? This is Martinez I was in Charlie company 1/2 3rd plt when we went to Somalia. After we returned back to the states I took the indoc and transfered to STA. Mike Rojas was my partner we were from Miami, FL. I still keep in touch once in a while with Jones A.K.A. Blue. LOL Anyways if this is you let me know. If you have any way to contact any of the other guys like Dickson, Murffy,Layda let me Know. Thanks stay safe.

[STA PLT]

Sir its been a long time its me Sgt Martinez back then Lcpl Martinez. If you can contact me at Rick.0103@yahoo.com Thanks

[CrockettJW]

Your name sound familiar. Are you Sgt Crockett from STA PLT? This is Martinez I was in Charlie company 1/2 3rd plt when we went to Somalia. After we returned back to the states I took the indoc and transfered to STA. Mike Rojas was my partner we were from Miami, FL. I still keep in touch once in a while with Jones A.K.A. Blue. LOL Anyways if this is you let me know. If you have any way to contact any of the other guys like Dickson, Murffy,Layda let me Know. Thanks stay safe.

Sorry. That wasn't me. I was with the squadron.

[DANIEL0524]

your name sound familiar. Are you sgt crockett from sta plt? This is martinez i was in charlie company 1/2 3rd plt when we went to somalia. After we returned back to the states i took the indoc and transfered to sta. Mike rojas was my partner we were from miami, fl. I still keep in touch once in a while with jones a.k.a. Blue. Lol anyways if this is you let me know. If you have any way to contact any of the other guys like dickson, murffy,layda let me know. Thanks stay safe. martinez...this is daniel yarbrough. I was just watching the tape you made me on the way back from desert storm. Whats up?

[DANIEL0524]

IM TRYING TO REACH ANYONE WHO WAS WITH CHARLIE 1/2 3RD PLATOON DURING DESERT STORM. yARBROUGH

[DANIEL0524]

Lol i remember that. This is yarbrough, i was with charlie 1/2 3rd platoon

[STA PLT]

Hey what is going on my brother it has been a long time. Hey have you ever heard from Joshua Williams A.K.A. BOOTY. lol remember he was from the islands I think St. Croix I think. Any ways give me a call when you can 239-785-5900. Stay Safe

Sgt. R. Martinez

[DevilDoc65]

I was the Doc on that CH53.. That was one hell of a trip!!Was always mad that it was never discussed. on a 53 for that long!!And then to the fight!!