Possible U.K. evac from Lebanon

So I suppose evacuation of non-citizens, ie Lebanese people, is on a first come first serve basis? For example the RN would declare that they are only going to take 500 Lebanese civillians. That would cause some problems. It is more likely that if you have relatives in the UK/US, or of you have some medical problem, refugee status, etc. that you can be taken.

The USN is sending a total of 9 ships to the area. The reason for amphips is, if you read into the article, is in case it is necassary to move the evacuation north or south of Beruit. I assume landing craft i.e. LCAC, LCM etc..may be used....Like I suggested..in case things get out of hand...



Navy Task Force Ready for Any Contingency in Lebanon, Admiral Says
Story Number: NNS060718-07
Release Date: 7/18/2006 6:38:00 PM

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- While U.S. authorities in Cyprus are expecting to evacuate at least 5,000 Americans from Lebanon, they are preparing for any contingency, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said July 18.

Vice Adm. Patrick M. Walsh, who also commands the U.S. 5th Fleet, briefed Pentagon reporters from his headquarters in Bahrain.

Nine U.S. Navy ships are converging on Lebanon from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and from U.S. European Command. The European Command ships are arriving in the "joint operating area" already, Walsh said. The CENTCOM ships are expected over the next few days. DoD also has contracted with the Greek-flagged Orient Queen to evacuate Americans from the Lebanese capital. The ship is pierside in Beirut, Walsh said, and it will take on passengers overnight and leave for Cyprus in the morning. He said he anticipates the vessel will carry between 800 and 1,000 Americans to safety.

The admiral said two more ships will be part of the ferrying activity between Beirut and Cyprus. The Rahmah will arrive in Cyrus tomorrow and begin ferrying refugees shortly thereafter. That vessel has a capacity of around 1,400. The trip to Cyprus from Beirut lasts about five hours, DoD officials said.

The United States also is working with European nations that are evacuating their nationals from Lebanon. Walsh said Navy ships from the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy are operating in the waters off Lebanon.

He said the non-combatant evacuation process "is a complex operation that involves an extraordinary level of effort."

"We're sending the very best we have, and we will move at max speed," he added.

The admiral said he expects U.S. Navy vessels, especially large-capacity amphibious ships, to participate in the evacuation. Amphibious ships are designed to conduct beach landings. They're frequently used for humanitarian operations and disaster relief.

Right now, the threat level in Beirut allows the Navy to ferry Americans to Cyprus with the commercial vessels. "But part of our job is to plan for any contingency," he said. "We will have warships positioned strategically and tactically to ensure the safe and secure passage of Americans from Lebanon to Cyprus."

Naval Forces Central Command is prepared for any contingency and ready for operations over an extended period of time, Walsh said.

Walsh said using amphibious ships will allow officials to move the evacuation process to the north or south and provide more options for evacuating people if the situation at the port deteriorates. Pentagon officials said the amphibious capability would allow the task force to evacuate people across the beach if needed.

"We have a changing situation (in Lebanon)," Walsh said. "We have a very complex environment that we're about to put a substantial number more of American citizens into, and the security and safety of those people are paramount to us and that's our No. 1 mission."

DPRKPTboat said:

I don't think Hezbollah will do something as stupid as shoot down a helicopter full of refugees. They wouldn't do what Zarqawi or Al-Qaeda would do. If the victims are Lebanese, it will mean a loss of public suppourt. But if their western, they will be fighting not only Israel. They would only attack westerners if they were part of a direct military interventiuon suppourting the Israelis. They don't want to be dragged into a war with the west that they don't need - they've got bigger fish to fry right now.

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I don't think that they would either. But I am more concerned about a Hezbollah guerilla with a MANPAD that takes it on himself to strike a blow at the US, if you know what I mean. That scenario is plausible. And I wouldn't put it past the Mossad to use an SA-7 against a helicopter so the USAF joins their bombing campaign.

Mossad would probably have the resources to do it, but if the U.S. found out that they had shot down a helicopter and killed U.S. citizens, then America might just reconsider its position on Israel (Unless the CIA keeps it secret, of course). And if a Hezbollah guerilla did shoot down a helicopter, he would be disobeying orders and would be punished. And its likely that Hezbollah would apologise to try to advoid fighting the U.S. or Europe. Unless they are prepared to fight Western forces, of course.

DPRKPTboat said:

And its likely that Hezbollah would apologise to try to advoid fighting the U.S. or Europe.

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I don't think an apology would really cut any ice. They're a non-governmental militia that attacks civilians - they shouldn't exist anyway. You can't get away with something like that by saying "ooops, sorry - one of my men was very naughty".

well many more citizens of many nations want to leave Lebanon that we first thought...Thousands more. I am just happy that the evacuees and the forces rescuing them have not been targetd by either side...

Photo link for the USN ops in Beriut.....


Here are some sample pics of the USN amphibs in action rescuing evacuees in Beriut.

Job done, apparently! The evacuation is over, as according to the gov no other British nationals want to leave Lebanon.

FuManChu said:

Job done, apparently! The evacuation is over, as according to the gov no other British nationals want to leave Lebanon.

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yes congrats to the RN which did a splendid job. Especially having to
put up with so many people in their rooms and private quarters

well done guys and girls !

Excellent job by all nations involved. I second your statement FreeAsia2000

The USN is still on the scene removing people from war torn Lebanon. So far 14,793 American have been rescued from Lebanon by the USN/USMC team..



Evacuation, Humanitarian Aid Continues in Lebanon
Story Number: NNS060808-01
Release Date: 8/8/2006 7:27:00 AM

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- As fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah terror group continues, U.S. service members continue to evacuate Americans trapped in Lebanon, Defense Department officials report.

Over the weekend, U.S. helicopters from the Navy’s USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Expeditionary Strike Group evacuated 37 American citizens from the U.S. embassy compound in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. The helicopters took the evacuees to Cyprus.

This brings the total number evacuated to 14,793. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the Iwo Jima group stands ready to evacuate any other Americans who wish to leave the war-torn country.

Fuel to run power plants and generators in Beirut is scarce. U.S. naval vessels will escort two fuel tankers from Cyprus to Lebanon to help get needed supplies into the city to provide power for hospitals, water pumps and water plants.

About 5,700 U.S. military personnel are providing support to the evacuation and humanitarian activities in Lebanon, DoD officials said. Most are aboard the Iwo Jima group, but many are in Cyprus and a few in the embassy in Beirut.