NEO in Libya

The following report has been has been added to the OSAC website.

A U.S. Government chartered aircraft will depart Tripoli to Istanbul, Turkey, from the Mitiga Air Field near downtown Tripoli, on Friday, February 25. Processing of passengers will begin promptly at 12:00 p.m. local time. U.S. citizen travelers wishing to depart should proceed directly to Mitiga Air Field as the U.S. Government is unable to provide ground transportation for U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to persons with medical emergencies or severe medical conditions. The aircraft will depart no later than 5:30 p.m. local time.

In popular culture NEO (Non-combatant Evacuation Operation) is thought of as the Marines landing and taking off the American citizens.  This is not normally the case.  The US Ambassador in the nation makes the call and it is usually commercial assets.

But, things are bad in Tripoli and it is time to get our citizens out of there.

I have been pulled out of Libya, but it was a long time ago♠ and the half of the squadron at Wheelus Air Base just launched our F-4Ds and flew away.  As we banked left to join up with the lead aircraft and head out across the Mediterranean Sea I looked down and saw what I thought was a man pointing a broom handle at us.  Or, maybe, it wasn't a broom handle he had to his shoulder.  But, no lead.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  About 1 September 1969.