Special Operations.Com

Operation Noble Response

Kenya

21 January 1998 - 25 March 1998

Overview: In early 1998, Kenya was savaged by the arrival of persistent, heavy El Nino-spawned rains.  The flooding that soon followed caused one of the most significant famines in recent history.  In response, the United States formed Joint Task Force Kenya, led by a headquarters element from I Marine Expeditionary Force.  A U.S. Special Operations humanitarian assistance survey team was also deployed to determine the extent of damage and the requirements of the starving and displaced populace.  In addition, personnel from AFSOC Reserves and USASOC Civil Affairs assisted conventional US military units in the disbursement of food and supplies.  In all, over two million pounds of aid were delivered by this combined force.

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Civil affairs soldiers participate in exercise in Kenya by Staff Sgt. Brian Thomas

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Marines Return from Operation Noble Response

By Cpl. Matthew A. Butler

MCAS EL TORO, Calif. (Apr 3) -- MCAS EL TORO, Calif. (Apr 3) -- Two Marine KC-130s and 34 Marines from VMGR-352 and Joint Task Force Kenya returned here Tuesday from "Operation Noble Response," after successfully completing their mission by delivering more than two million pounds of food to Kenyans who were devasted by unseasonable rains and flooding in the northeastern part of Kenya.  At the request of the government of Kenya, the American Embassy in Nairobi called the JTF to the region to assist the relief efforts. The Marine-led JTF Kenya supported ongoing humanitarian relief efforts coordinated by the government of Kenya and the United Nations World Food Program.

"I think the best thing about the mission is the intent to provide assistance to the Kenyan people what mother nature has deprived of them," said Maj. Leo Falcam Jr., detachment commander of VMGR-352, JTF Kenya. According to Maj. Falcam, this mission gives his Marines exposure to the KC-130s operating capabilities in a foreign country. The Marines gained real-world experience while providing humanitarian relief.  Although the KC-130's primary mission is air-refueling, one KC-130 delivers enough food to feed 4,600 people a half ration of food for 30 days, according to WFP officials. The task force Marines aerial dropped and combat off-loaded 802 metric tons of food to people in north-eastern Kenya. "It feels good to be a part of something real; something that helps other people," said 23-year-old Sgt. Greg Zitek, navigatir and resident of Brea, Calif. Sgt. Zitek explained that although VMGR-352's primary mission is aerial refueling, they train daily for a variety of missions, which includes aerial drops.

Only one day after arriving in country, the KC-130s air-delivered 16 metric tons of maize to El Wak and combat off-loaded another 16 metric tons of maize to Wajir. They finished with 51 different sorties and a total of 144 flight hours in support of Operation Noble Response. Besides the KC-130s, the JTF came with a headquarters element from I Marine Expeditionary Force, MCB Camp Pendleton, Calif.; a three-man Joint Communications Support Element for MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla.;U.S. Army Civil Affairs from Fort Bragg, N.C., and a three-man Navy Medical Detachment from 1st Force Service Support Group, MCB Camp Pendleton.

The KC-130s have triumphantly executed every sortie the WFP and the government of Kenya tasked them to accpmlish.The task force also worked closely with the Kenyan military to aid their military and government's ability to provide disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, sadi Col. John O'Donovan, commander, JTF Kenya. According to Francis Lekolool, coordinator of the Kenyan National Disaster Agency Center, Nairobi, the JTF's attention to detail and professional approach to the humanitarian relief mission is saving lives. "The U.S. military came at the right time when their assistance was most effective," Lekolool said. Operation Noble Response was successful because of its clear plan and mission, according to Col. O'Donovan.

Operation Noble Response participants awarded medal

Released: Apr 23, 1998

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has approved the Humanitarian Service Medal for Air Force members who were assigned to Operation Noble Response in Ke nya.

The award of the HSM has been approved for only those service members who were assigned to Joint Task Force Kenya and the Special Operations Command humanitarian assistance survey team who provided direct humanitarian assistance Jan. 21, 1998 through March 25, 1998. Also included are members assigned to the 43rd Airlift Wing and Special Operations Command (Air Force Reserve Command) who provided humanitarian assistance in Kenya.

Military members who distinguished themselves and directly participated in these operations are eligible for the HSM. Direct participation is defined as being physically present at the designated location and having directly contributed to and influenced the action.

By-name listings are available for people to verify their eligibility. Members may contact Maj. Lee Wyatt, operation project officer, at DSN (312) 968-6609 for eligibility information. (Courtesy of Air Force Personnel Center News Service)