Early on 9 December, 1992, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit performed an unopposed amphibious assault into the city of Mogadishu. The MEU’s ground combat unit performed simultaneous raids on the Port of Mogadishu and Mogadishu International Airport, establishing a foothold for additional incoming troops. Other Marine and other US and international units arrived throughout December and early January.
In the months to follow, Marines secured Mogadishu and other parts of the country such as Baidoa and Barderra by establishing outposts to remove weapons and roving bandits who preyed on the weak. This allowed needed food to be delivered and distributed to the populace. Additional Marine and other US and coalition forces remained in Somalia until 1995.
Forty-two Americans ultimately lost their lives in Somalia, as well as dozens wounded before the United States and the United Nations withdrew. The US had established the conditions for peace in spite of the efforts of warring clans to prevent those efforts. Sadly, the Somalis were not yet willing to stop their “national pastime: war” for the greater good of the starving and sick.
What We Carried
Marines deployed to Somalia wore, carried, rode on and in a variety of gear — communications, weapons systems, vehicles, food. Visit our “What we carried” page for the details.
Links for more in-depth study into Somalia operations
Restoring Hope in Somalia with the Unified Task Force 1992-1993: US Marines in Humanitarian Operations by Col. Dennis Mroczkowski (USMCR Ret.)
Somalia Operations: Lessons Learned by Col. Kenneth Allard
Operations Restore Hope and Continue Hope: A Case Study of the Medical Mission by Rand Corporation
Marine Somalia Veterans Association 