HQ$History - United States Special Operations Command

second patrol coastal vessel, USS Firebolt, surveyed
the Monrovia harbor and repeatedly conducted
launch and recovery rehearsals of the
RIB. The two patrol coastals also stood ready to
evacuate the embassy, if necessary. The ten-day
“presence operation” provided a calming influence
on the situation and reaffirmed SOF’s ability
to deploy forces rapidly into an uncertain
environment.
Operation SILVER WAKE
In September 1996, a Special Forces sergeant
first class (SFC) was part of a four-person
Military Liaison Team that went to Albania. As
part of the Joint Contact Team Program, this
team coordinated Albania’s requests for military
visits that fostered civilian control of the military
in a democratic society. This mission, however,
was cut short by an incipient revolt in
southern Albania. In January, the Special
Forces SFC assisted the American embassy in
revising its emergency evacuation plan; this
assistance included surveying helicopter landing
zones (HLZs).
After releasing him to the Military Liaison
Team in late January, the American
Ambassador recalled the Special Forces SFC to
the American embassy in late February, as the
Albanian people’s displeasure with their government
had erupted again in open revolt. This
lone NCO became the focal point for NEO preparations.
His activities ranged from coordinating
a visit from the ESAT, to prompting the embassy
staff to define what should be done and when to
do it as the revolt approached Tirana, to conducting
area assessments that provided the
embassy with accurate military judgments.
JTF SILVER WAKE notified the embassy
that 26th MEU helicopters would start the evacuation
on 13 March. The Special Forces sergeant
then went to the evacuation site in the
embassy housing area, where he helped to write
the passenger manifests and set up “sticks” of
about 20 persons per helicopter. The helicopters
approached the compound after dark. The
Special Forces SFC guided the first helicopter in
by flashing “SOS” with his flashlight, despite the
risk from random gunfire. For the remainder of
the NEO, he provided invaluable service to the
embassy staff and Marine evacuation force. The
NEO ended on 26 March 1997, and the JTF
evacuated nearly 900 civilians safely without
incident. The Special Forces SFC
had shown again the maturity and
professionalism of SOF. His leadership
and expertise reassured the
embassy staff and evacuees alike,
and he provided a crucial link with
the evacuation force.
During the first days of the NEO,
an AC-130U from JSOTF2 at
Brindisi flew over Tirana and the
surrounding area, providing CAS,
armed reconnaissance, and intelligence.
On at least one occasion, the
AC-130U’s mere presence halted a
AAA battery’s fire. Its crew also
directed evacuation helicopters
away from SA-2 SAM batteries. The
crew ensured that the NEO proceeded
safely.
Operation SILVER WAKE (March 1997) evacuees boarding a marine
helicopter in Tirana, Albania.
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Operation NOBLE OBELISK
In April 1997, an ODA or “A”
Team (13 Special Forces soldiers)
from the 3rd SFG (A) deployed to
Freetown, Sierra Leone, for Joint