HQ$History - United States Special Operations Command

of Haiti. These themes stressed national reconciliation
and restoration of democracy to the
Haitians.
Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY
On 10 September 1994, the administration
authorized General Shalikashvili to execute
Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY within the
next ten days. On the night of 16-17 September
1994, SEALs conducted a pre-invasion reconnaissance
of the coastline along Cap Haitien, collecting
intelligence and hydrographic data on
potential landing sites for the Marines. The
SEALs conducted their missions despite the
large number of small vessels and Haitians on
the beach. The water was thick with traffic,
strewn with garbage, and the SEALs heard
Haitians beating drums on the shore. The teams
met with varying degrees of success, as there
were just too many civilians in some areas to
permit a full reconnaissance. Nevertheless, the
ensuing landings, which proceeded flawlessly
(and uncontested) on the morning of 21
September 1994, verified the accuracy of the
SEALs’ work.
As the deadline for invasion neared, SOF
moved their equipment and supplies to their air
and sea ports of embarkation. Rangers, SEALs,
and Special Operations aviation assets went
aboard USS America. Other Rangers moved to
their waiting planes, prepared for an airborne
assault. All the
elements of a
complex plan
were in place.
Before the
American forces
invaded Haiti,
however, former
President Jimmy
Carter, Senator
Sam Nunn, and
retired General
Colin Powell successfully
brokered
a last-minute deal
with the Haitian
military. Because
of these negotiations,
all the
66
forces moving toward Haiti on 18 September
1994 were either aborted, diverted, or reconfigured
for a peaceful entry. The invasion thus
became a large-scale humanitarian mission,
with the U.S. forces landing on 19 September.
SEALs provided beach security and terminal
guidance to the Marine landing forces. The
Monsoon had the honor of being the first U.S.
ship to enter Port-au-Prince Harbor on 19
September. From this point until their departure
on 24 October 1994, the PCs maintained
harbor patrols.
The Occupation of Haiti
U.S. planners foresaw that Port-au-Prince
would be the “center of gravity” for the political
and economic struggle that would follow the
restoration of the Aristide government. The
bulk of the conventional forces from the 10th
Mountain Division (and later the 25th ID)
secured and remained in the city. It was also
important to maintain stable conditions in the
remaining 90 percent of Haiti. For this mission,
XVIII Airborne Corps Commander Lieutenant
General Henry H. Shelton chose to use SOF.
Brigadier General Richard Potter formed
JTF RALEIGH as the JSOTF under Lieutenant
General Shelton. To implement the plan, the
three battalions of 3rd SFG (A) set up three
FOBs; 1st battalion at Les Cayes, 2nd at Camp
D’Application, and 3rd at Gonaives. Using the
BG Potter (left), Commander JTF RALEIGH, on a crowded Haitian Street.