Non-combatant evacuation operation

A Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) is an operation conducted to evacuate civilians from another country, generally due to a deteriorating security situation.

South Vietnamese refugees arrive on a U.S. Navy vessel during Operation Frequent Wind in 1975.
Operation Allies Refuge: Afghans being evacuated on a US Air Force Boeing C-17 plane during the Fall of Kabul in August 2021.

Australia

China

Germany

Greece

India

Ireland (Republic of)

Israel

Pakistan

United Kingdom

United States

According to United States Military Joint Publication 3-68, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations:[2]

"Noncombatant evacuation operations (NEOs) are conducted to assist the Department of State (DOS) in evacuating noncombatants, nonessential military personnel, selected host-nation citizens, and third country nationals whose lives are in danger from locations in a host foreign nation to an appropriate safe haven and/or the United States.
NEOs usually involve swift insertions of a force, temporary occupation of an objective, and a planned withdrawal upon completion of the mission.
During NEOs, the US Ambassador is the senior authority for the evacuation and is ultimately responsible for the successful completion of the NEO and the safety of the evacuees. The Ambassador speaks with the authority of the President and serves as direct representative on site."

This means that at times American citizens may become endangered in locations outside of the United States. This is usually due to civil unrest or war. However, it may also be due to a natural disaster. The U.S. Ambassador has the responsibility, according to law, to request a NEO. Once he does, the government will determine whether or not the evacuation should be done with civilian resources, such as the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), or with military forces. Even if military forces conduct the evacuation, the Ambassador remains in charge of the evacuation.

The method of evacuation could include sealift, airlift, or even by road.

Notable operations

References

  1. Chinofotis, Panagiotis (18 July 2021). "Π. Χηνοφώτης: Προβολή ναυτικής και ήπιας ισχύος, επιχείρηση «Κέδρος», Λίβανος" [P. Chinofotis: The display of naval and soft power, Operation Kedros, Lebanon]. Kathimerini (in Greek). Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  2. Joint Publication 3-68: Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (PDF). Suffolk, Virginia: Joint Doctrine Analysis Division. 2015.
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