The operation began in the early hours of December 8, 1992, when elements of the 8th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne) attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted leaflet drops over the capital city of Mogadishu. Early on December 9, the MEU performed an amphibious assault into the city of Mogadishu.
The MEUSOC’s ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/9, performed simultaneous raids on the Port of Mogadishu and Mogadishu International Airport, establishing a foothold for additional incoming troops. Echo and Golf Company assaulted the airport by helicopter and Amphibious Assault Vehicles, while Fox Company secured the port with an economy of force rubber boat raid. Fox Company’s raid on the port was the first large scale Combat Rubber Raid Craft (CRRC) raid since World War II. Elements of BLT 2/9 went on to secure the airport in Baidoa, and the port city of Kismayo.
