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OPERATION RESTORE HOPE  
SOMALIA 1992

   When clan violence in 1992 threatened international relief efforts in Somalia, a U.S. led coalition was sent to provide relief for thousands of Somalis caught in the crossfire of the deadly civil war. After years of rival faction war and the worst African drought of the century, over 300,000 lives were lost.

   The United Nations truce was wrecked by fighting between Mohammed Ali Mahda and Mohammed Farah Aidid. In December 1992, President George Bush sent 30,000 American troops along with 10,000 allied forces into Somalia to provide security for the humanitarian relief efforts.

Unlike war missions Operation Restore Hope was a relief mission primarily conducted through transportation efforts. The 7th Transportation Group played a major role in providing that relief.

A 7th Group soldiers ties down a truckload of MRE rations to be delivered to starving refugees.

   In order to accomplish this mission, the military first needed to reopen airports, sea ports and roads most of which were no longer functional due to the fighting of the past two years.

An Army road grader repairs an airfield while a C-130 aircraft takes off after unloading relief supplies. 

   Army transportation units opened a line of communication extending from Mogadishu into the surrounding regions. The 100th Light-Medium Truck Company from Fort Eustis and the 24th Medium Truck Company from Fort Riley, hauled tens of thousands of tons of cargo to humanitarian relief sectors.

   7th Transportation Group moved over 190,000 metric tons of humanitarian supplies from the Port of Mogadishu to relief organizations throughout Somalia, logging over 260,000 miles over hazardous roads.

A 594th Transportation Company truck works with UN forces as they rebuild road and bridge networks.

 Soldiers of the 594th Transportation Company move out a resupply mission near Mogadishu, Somalia

An Army convoy departs from their Mogadishu base.

    7th Transportation Group removed thousands of tons of debris at the Port of Mogadishu, doubling the staging area. They discharged 255 ships in the first few months at a port that had not seen a ship in two years.

  7th Group offloaded 8000 vehicles, 3200 containers and 90 helicopters while berthing over 120 commercial ships exceeding 75,000 tons of commercial goods within the first four months alone. This was made possible with the removal of sunken tugs and harbor craft accomplished by the Army's dive detachment at the Port of Mogadishu and the Port at Kismayu.

   Soviet made harbor vessels lie submerged in the Port of Mogadishu. These boats were removed using Army divers, barges and cranes. 

   In support of stabilization efforts in Somalia, 7th Group helped open the Main Supply Route (MSR) between Mogadishu, Kismaya and Merka.

   Aiding in the reconstruction of bridges, roads and the reopening of both ports, the Group ensured a steady and secure flow of relief supplies to over 50 international humanitarian organizations.

Soldiers lead journalists across a newly opened bridge.

594^th Transportation Company moves out on a road towards Merka.  Units like the 594^th transported thousands of tons of relief supplies throughout Somalia.

RESTORING HOPE IN SOMALIA

   Humanitarian efforts such as providing medical support, delivering food to refugees and providing security for relief efforts were the cornerstone missions of Operation Restore Hope.

   Although the relief efforts were a success, fighting continued in Somalia and casualties increased.  A call for additional convoy protection would lead to the development and delivery of the M1114 Up-Armored HMMWV, tested and developed at Fort Eustis.

An Army convoy rolls down a street near Mogadishu.  The lack of armor protection is evident in this photo.

   A pick-up truck bed is sandbagged for mine protection.  Mines and improved explosive devices became commonplace as Operation Restore Hope progressed.

    Although the M1114 added a higher degree of protection for US soldiers, it did not arrive in theater before the largest combat action of the operation.  Eighteen US soldiers were killed in Mogadishu on October 3, 1993 during a failed raid to capture the warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid.  This prompted President Clinton to order the eventual withdrawal of US forces from Somalia in March 1994.

A heavily armed convoy moves through the outskirts of Mogadishu.  As tensions mounted, convoys had to brave mines, snipers and roadblock ambushes.

 FIELD CHANGES FOR COMBAT SURVIVAL

This 5-ton makeshift guntruck has sandbagged floors and a homemade tripod that holds an M-60 machinegun.  These gave the troops some protection in the Somali combat zone.

A 5-ton truck sandbagged floor for protection against mines. This was the most common field solution fro troop safety while traveling on the dangerous roads in Somalia.