U.S. Marines Thank Lebanese Military for Efforts

American Forces Press Service ^ | Carmen L. Gleason

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2007 – The commander of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit today honored the Lebanese army for its assistance in the largest evacuation of U.S. civilians from a foreign country.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Ron Johnson presents a scrapbook detailing U.S. and Lebanese evacuation efforts of 15,000 Americans from Lebanon to Brig. Gen. Abdul Hamid Darwich, Lebanese defense attache to the United States, during a Pentagon ceremony March 28. Photo by Carmen Gleason  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

In a Pentagon ceremony, U.S. Marine Col. Ron Johnson expressed his appreciation to the Lebanese armed forces for their assistance in evacuating 15,000 Americans from the country in July following an eruption in violence when the militant group Hezbollah kidnapped an Israeli soldier.

“The Lebanese armed forces and international security forces performed superbly and gave us everything we needed to get our mission accomplished,” Johnson said. “I thought it important that our Lebanese friends know just how much we appreciate their cooperation during the evacuation.”

Due to the heightened tension following the kidnapping, the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon authorized the departure of embassy personnel from the country July 15. Since Beirut International Airport had been bombed, military assistance was required to transport U.S. citizens to safety by other means.

Johnson, whose unit was conducting a training exercise in the Jordanian desert at the time, sent a detachment of more than 100 Marines and three helicopters to the island of Cyprus to lay the groundwork for the arrival of the rest of the unit to assist in civilian evacuation efforts.

Within 24 hours, the Marines secured the U.S. Embassy and airlifted the first group of citizens to Cyprus.

The Lebanese military’s assistance was imperative, Johnson said. “We didn’t have access to a port, but the Lebanese not only secured a beach for us, they assisted by providing security along evacuation routes and debarkation points.”

By working with embassy officials and using a combination of aircraft and sea vessels, the 24th MEU and the USS Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group worked to assist 15,000 U.S. citizens to safety within two weeks of the start of evacuation efforts.

“Thanks in no small part to (Lebanese) efforts, the operation concluded without a single loss of life or serious injury,” Johnson said.

“I am very proud to hear such praise from a U.S. officer,” said Brig. Gen. Abdul Hamid Darwich, Lebanese defense attaché to the United States. “It was our duty to get all our American guests out of the country to safety.”

Related Articles:
U.S. Military Involvement in Lebanon Evacuations Coming to End

“You helped us work hours, not days or months, to get our mission accomplished,” said Marine Col. Ron Johnson, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit commander, as he presented a clock to Brig. Gen. Abdul Hamid Darwich, Lebanese defense attache to the United States, during a Pentagon ceremony March 28. Lebanese forces assisted the 24th MEU in evacuating 15,000 Americans to safety in July. Photo by Carmen Gleason   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

WAR News at Home and Abroad You'll Hear Nowhere Else!

All the News the MSM refuses to use!

Or if they do report it, without the anti-War Agenda Spin!

[ca centered]

Thanks for posting this. True, it isn't the kind of news the media wants the world to hear. It kind of refreshing here too.

[-=SoylentSquirrel=-]

What is being missed is that of the 15,000 Americans evacuated, many were not truly Americans at all, but Lebanese muslims with dual citizenship rights. These were the ones (quoted in the MSM) that were talking $hit about America and the troops as they were being evacuated, and then complained later that the evacuation took too long and that they were not served quickly enough.

They got out only because it was too "hot" there at the moment, and many went back after hostilities ended, as Lebanon is their primary residence, not America.

I say we should have left those particlar folks at the dock!

[ca centered]

I didn't know that. Fooled again

[maronite]

Actually most lebanese americans are christian if you really want to know. Secondly, what makes someone "truly" american?
Im french-lebanese. I dont happen to live in france and still maintain ties with lebanon but it doesnt mean im not truly french. I love france(thats probably the first time that line has been said on the site :P )and fully support it, i would gladly serve in the military if the need arises someday, i dont quite agree with the way the country is being directed but elections are up and things may be looking to get better. Am i french enough? If someone doesnt reside in their country doesnt mean they arent patriotic or not "truly" a citizen. Many might have been complaining that it took long because they were scared(believe it or not) during the war and wanted to leave quickly. Believe me it wasnt very pleasant during the bombings, i would know as i was there. Now i didnt really get scared as i lived in lebanon for many years and im used to bombs being dropped, but many foreign lebanese were in lebanon for the summer with their children and many of them arent used to have bombs being dropped over their heads. Much like any average citizen in america would get scared if bombs are being dropped because it would probably be the first time it happens to them. So it would be expected that some would be cranky and annoyed that it took a couple of weeks before people could get out of the country.