Operation Noble Obelisk

As Operation Guardian Retrieval finished, the deteriorating security situation in Freetown, Sierra Leone, required Kearsarge (LHD3) and the 22d MEU(SOC) to relocate quickly to another crisis operating area. As commander for JTF Noble Obelisk (May-June 97), the 22d MEU(SOC) evacuated 451 American citizens and 2,059 third-country nationals in four days to Kearsarge. All evacuees were later transferred to Conakry, Guinea, for processing.