USS Kearsarge joins Operation Shining Express
Marine Corps News
Release Date: 6/24/2003
Story by 2nd MEB PAO
NORFOLK, Va. (June 13, 2003) -- USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) has been directed to join forces in support of Operation Shining Express, to aid in the potential evacuation of U.S. citizens. The ship's return date is currently undetermined.
At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the U.S. European Command has sent the military support to the region to provide the ambassador an enhanced capability to monitor the current situation in Liberia and to be pre-positioned to aid in any evacuation of U.S. citizens.
The operation includes special operations forces, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, and reserve components. Currently, Operation Shining Express personnel are augmenting security forces at the Embassy in Monrovia and supporting State Department officials who are conducting an orderly departure of U.S. citizens wishing to leave the country.
Operation Shining Express Forces will redeploy as soon as it is determined that the threats to the embassy compound have ended or an evacuation, if necessary, is completed.
Marines on Kearsarge include:
2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Command Element
Detachment from 2nd Radio Battalion
Detachment from 2nd Intelligence Battalion
Alpha Company, 8th Communications Battalion
H&S, Kilo and Weapons Companies, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment
Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment
Charlie Company, Light Armored Reconnaissance
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365
Detachment from Marine Light Attack Squadron 269
Detachment from 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense
Detachment from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272
Detachment from Marine Air Logistics Squadron 29
Detachment from Combat Service Support Battalion 22
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