August 5, 1990 - Liberia (Operation Sharp Edge)
![Civilians fleeing Liberia's civil war watch as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162) CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter lands at the U.S. Embassy during Operation Sharp Edge. The helicopter will carry a group of evacuees to one of the ships o... Civilians fleeing Liberia's civil war watch as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162) CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter lands at the U.S. Embassy during Operation Sharp Edge. The helicopter will carry a group of evacuees to one of the ships o...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/20th-century/1990-1999/1990-liberia-operation-sharp-edge/_jcr_content/body/media_asset/image.img.jpg/1677843246699.jpg)
Caption:
On August 5, 1990, Operation Sharp Edge began. The U.S. Navy and Marines began the noncombatant evacuation of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals from Liberia during its civil war. The 22nd and 26th Marine Expedionary Units evacuated the personnel and were supported by USS Saipan (LHA-2), USS Ponce (LPD-15), USS Sumter (LST-1188), USS Peterson (DD-969), and USS Barnstable County (LST-1197). The operation ended in January 1991.
![A woman and child fleeing Liberia's civil war wait to be evacuated on board a Marine Corps helicopter on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy during Operation Sharp Edge. After processing on board one of the ships of an amphibious ready group on stati... A woman and child fleeing Liberia's civil war wait to be evacuated on board a Marine Corps helicopter on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy during Operation Sharp Edge. After processing on board one of the ships of an amphibious ready group on stati...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/20th-century/1990-1999/1990-liberia-operation-sharp-edge/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1303360309/image.img.jpg/1677843225478.jpg)
Caption:
![A Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162). CH-46E Sea Night helicopter departs from the grounds of the U.S. Embassy after dropping off a fuel bladder during Operation Sharp Edge. The embassy is receiving personnel and logistic support fro... A Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162). CH-46E Sea Night helicopter departs from the grounds of the U.S. Embassy after dropping off a fuel bladder during Operation Sharp Edge. The embassy is receiving personnel and logistic support fro...](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/humanitarian/20th-century/1990-1999/1990-liberia-operation-sharp-edge/_jcr_content/body/media_asset_1727290069/image.img.jpg/1677843201835.jpg)
Caption:
Published: Tue May 05 07:18:46 EDT 2020