In 1993, the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) arrived off the coast of Mogadishu, Somalia as part of Operation Continue Hope. This, after Operation Restore Hope. our mission was to bring much needed medical and dental care to the residents of coastal Somalia. We helped over 2,500 people from Kismayu to Mogadishu.
Somalia had already had a brutal civil war. But then the famous 'Blackhawk Down' incident occurred. It was after that when we arrived. We were ready for anything.
In our ARG, we had 1st battalion, 9th Marines ('The Walking Dead') and SEAL Team 6.
For our part of this multinational, UN sanctioned occupation, we stayed at what was known as The Old Port. We were there with the Nigerian Army. In other parts of town were the Italians, French, Pakistanis, Cypriots, Saudis and others.
Each day, the Nigerians slaughtered a goat. This became part of their food each day. But while on post, 1 Marine and 1 Nigerian, they wouldn't eat unless we shared part of our MRE. Because of this, we got to have fresh goat meat. In exchange, the Nigerians would get some part of our MRE unless it contained pork. Also, the locals would gladly trade some items such as their worthless money or a hand made wooden item for American cash or an MRE. Somewhere I have a license plate I took from a burned out vehicle.
The locals (skinnys) had already had a terrible time before our arrival. Most of them were pretty happy we were there as we provided some respite from the fighting.
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