Noncombatant Evacuation Operations

Noncombatant evacuation operations (NEOs) are conducted to assist the Department of State (DOS) in evacuating US citizens, Department of Defense (DOD) civilian personnel, and designated host nation (HN) and third country nationals (TCNs) whose lives are in danger from locations in a foreign nation to an appropriate safe haven. The United States Government (USG) will consider evacuating TCNs and host country nationals on a case-bycase, space available/reimbursable basis. Although normally considered in connection with hostile action, evacuation may also be conducted in anticipation of, or in response to, any natural or man-made disaster. NEOs have special characteristics. NEOs have humanitarian, military, economic, diplomatic, and political implications. NEOs usually involve swift insertion of a force, temporary occupation of an objective, and a planned withdrawal upon completion of the mission. The command and control structure and the political and diplomatic factors involved in timing the execution of the military support of NEOs make them different from other military operations. During NEOs, the US ambassador, not the geographic combatant commander (GCC) or subordinate joint force commander (JFC), is the senior USG authority for the evacuation and, as such, is ultimately responsible for the successful completion of the NEO and the safety of the evacuees. The decision to evacuate a US embassy and the order to execute a NEO is political. The GCC may decide to create a joint task force (JTF) to conduct a NEO or may task a component commander to conduct the NEO. Rules of engagement may be such that the JTF should be prepared to protect personnel (military and evacuees) from a wide variety of threats while not necessarily having the authority to preempt hostile actions by proactive military measures. NEOs may occur in permissive, uncertain, or hostile environments. Evacuation operations are characterized by uncertainty and may be directed without warning because of sudden changes in a country's government, reoriented diplomatic or military relationships with the United States, a sudden hostile threat to US citizens from a force within or external to an HN, or a devastating natural or man-made disaster. Some key factors in noncombatant evacuation planning are situational awareness; a correct appraisal and understanding of the changing diplomatic, political, and military environment in which the evacuation force will operate; time constraints and risk; and preparation of the evacuation force for a situation that may rapidly move from permissive to uncertain or hostile. Alternative plans should be developed for permissive, uncertain, and hostile environments. This publication provides doctrine for planning and conducting joint NEO throughout the range of military operations. Specific information on repatriation operations is also provided.