Operation Uphold Democracy

For the military intervention in the Gambia, seeOperation Restore Democracy.

Operation Uphold Democracy
Soldiers of C Company,2nd Battalion 22nd Infantry,10th Mountain DivisionsecuringPort-au-Prince Airporton the first day of Operation Uphold Democracy.
Date 19 September 1994 – 31 March 1995 (6 months, 1 week and 5 days) Location Haiti Result US-led coalition victory; Military regime removed,Raoul Cédrasdeposed,Jean-Bertrand Aristidesworn back into office.
Belligerents
United States Haitian Opposition Poland Argentina CARICOM Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Guyana Jamaica Trinidad and Tobago	Haiti
Commanders and leaders
Bill Clinton George A. Fisher Jr. Sławomir Petelicki Enrique Molina Pico Jean-Bertrand Aristide Marc Bazin Émile Jonassaint	Raoul Cédras Michel François Émile Jonassaint Robert Malval
Strength
25,000 total troops	Unknown
Casualties and losses
1 killed, 1 wounded	301 killed (Not reference)

Operation Uphold Democracywas a multinationalmilitary interventiondesigned to remove the military regime led and installed byRaoul Cédrasafter the1991 Haitian coup d'étatoverthrew the elected PresidentJean-Bertrand Aristide.The operation was effectively authorized by the 31 July 1994United Nations Security Council Resolution 940.

Background

Coup and refugee crisis

USSMoinester(FF-1097) deliveringHaitian boat peopletoGuantanamo Bay Naval Baseduring theHaitian refugee crisisin 1991

Following theSeptember 1991 Haitian coup d'état,which led to thede factoleadership of military officerRaoul Cédras,theOrganization of American States(OAS) beganeconomic sanctionsagainst Haiti.Following this, theHaitian refugee crisisbegan, with 14,000Haitian boat peoplebeing gathered from theCaribbean Seaby the United States by January 1992 and PresidentGeorge H. W. Bushforcing Haitian refugees not eligible for asylum to return the following month.TheNational Assembly of Haiti,Aristide and OAS nations draft the "Washington Protocol" in February 1992, establishing a timeline for restoring democracy in Haiti, though the Haitian Supreme Court declares the protocol null and void in April 1992, leading to increased sanctions from OAS nations.The following month, President Bush signed anexecutive orderbanning Haitian asylum and requiring forcedrepatriation,a policy that was continued by PresidentBill Clinton.By the end of 1992, 38,000 Haitians were intercepted according to the OAS.

Diplomatic efforts

Governors Island Accord

AfterRaoul Cédrasrejected a plan for Aristide's return proposed byDante Caputo,a representative of the OAS andUnited Nations,theUnited Nations Security Council (UNSC)voted for an oil and weapons embargo on Haiti in June 1993.A month later, Cedras and Aristide signed the Governors Island Accord, outlining a process for Aristide's return to power by 30 October 1993.In August 1993,Robert Malvalwas named interim prime minister by Aristide.On 8 October 1993 as theUSSHarlan Countyapproached thePort international de Port-au-Princeto participate in training exercises with Haitian authorities, the Haitian Army prevented the ship from landing and Cedras announced that he will not comply with the previously-signed accord.On 14 October, Prime Minister Maval's cabinet went into hiding after the Minister of Justice,Guy Malary,was shot and killed.The following day, Cedras ignored the 15 October deadline to cede his leadership and the United States began anaval blockadeof Haiti.On 16 October, the UNSC authorized military force, including blockades, to implement international sanctions, with more nations joining the effort.

UNSC authorizes military intervention

The UNSC established an ultimatum for the military government on 5 May 1994, demanding Cedras to leave Haiti within fifteen days or that he may be removed by force.By July 1994, the United States becomes overwhelmed with Haitian boat people once again and begins to detain more Haitian refugees atGuantanamo Bay detention camp.The same month, theJoint Chiefs of Staff,called for increased participation from Caribbean nations; Lieutenent Colonel Chris Olson was tasked to "get as many flags as possible" and contacted embassies ofCaribbean Community(CARICOM) nations to request participation.At a meeting inPort Royal, Jamaicaon 22 July 1994, the CARICOM nations ofAntigua and Barbuda,Bahamas,Barbados,Belize,Guyana,JamaicaandTrinidad and Tobagoeach agreed to send aplatoonof troops.Armed intervention was authorized by the 31 July 1994United Nations Security Council Resolution 940,which granted the "application of all necessary means to restore democracy in Haiti."

Operational organization

The operation began with the alert ofUnited Statesand its allies for a forced entry into the island nation ofHaiti.U.S. Navy,Coast Guard,andAir Forceelements staged toPuerto Ricoand southernFloridato prepare to support the airborne invasion, spearheaded by elements of theJoint Special Operations Command(HQ,75th Ranger Regiment), followed by3rd Special Forces Group,theU.S. Army 7th Transportation Group(Army watercraft and terminal elements) and the10th Mountain Division.Some of these elements were staged out ofHunter Army AirfieldandGuantanamo Bay Naval Base.The 1st Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division deployed to Haiti aboardUSSAmericaandUSSDwight D. Eisenhower.The operation was directed by Lieutenant GeneralHugh Shelton,Joint Task Force 120 (JTF-120), provided by Commander,Carrier Group Two.

Timeline of events

USSEisenhower(CVN-69) leaves Norfolk for Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994

Invasion, ultimatum and capitulation

U.S. Marine Corps HMMWV in Cap Haitien, 30 September 1994

On 16 September 1994, as these forces prepared to invade, with the lead elements of Bravo Co.,2nd Ranger Battalionalready in the air after being staged in Guantanamo Bay, a diplomatic element led by former PresidentJimmy Carter,U.S. SenatorSam Nunnand retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff GeneralColin Powellpersuaded the leaders of Haiti to step down and allow the elected officials to return to power. The main leader holding power, General Cédras, was the key focus of the delegation. General Powell's personal relationship with Cédras, from when Cédras was a student in theSchool of the Americasas a young officer, played a significant role in the American delegation gaining an audience with Cédras and enabling the conduct of negotiations for approximately two weeks.

Despite the insistent diplomatic efforts of the American delegation and the insinuation that force would be used if required, negotiations were at a virtual stalemate for the entire time, with General Cédras refusing to concede the legitimacy of the democratic elections. As a final effort to force him to step down without violence, the delegation presented General Cédras with a video feed of the82nd Airborne Division's aircraft being loaded with troops, with the Division's DRF-1 (Division Ready Force 1, the Battalion designated first to deploy, with its equipment and vehicles pre-loaded for parachute drop world-wide) 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment "Red Falcons" already deployed toFt. Sherman,Panama.Therefore, the 2nd Battalion, 325th AIR "White Falcons" were attached to the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division Ready Brigade-1 (DRB-1).While allowing Cédras to process the panic-inducing sight, he was informed that while he assumed he was watching a live feed, he was in fact viewing a video captured more than 2 hours before. As such, the lead elements of the 3,900-strong paratrooper forcehad already launched fromFort Bragg,North Carolinaand were currently over theAtlantic Ocean.They further informed him of the United States' commitment to supporting democracy and that a forced-entry airborne assault on the island nation would, in all likelihood, result in Haiti coming under U.S. control before the next sunrise.

The Carter delegation proceeded to issue a final ultimatum to the Cédras; his choices were to either recognize the wish of the Haitian people as expressed through the democratic election of Jean-Bertrand Aristide and quietly retire, or continue to deny the election's outcome. In the latter case, the U.S. would forcibly wrest control of his country and see justice done. To remove all uncertainty from the general's mind, he was reminded by the delegation that the82nd Airborne Divisionhad also spearheaded overwhelmingly decisive victories duringOperation Urgent FuryinGrenadaandOperation Just Causein Panama in the recent past. Within minutes, General Cédras capitulated under the most favorable terms available to him at that time.

Cédras's capitulation took time to be decided, and even after it was done, did not immediately take effect among theArmed Forces of Haiti(French:Forces Armées d'Haïti—FAd'H), nor was it immediately followed by other members of the junta. As a result, U.S. forces landing in Haiti saw their objective as severing the junta leadership from the FAd'H without provoking a panic among the rank and file. To facilitate this, GeneralSheltonnegotiated a turnover of command from Cédras to Major GeneralJean-Claude Duperval,who in turn promoted figures acceptable to Aristide into high positions in the FAd’H. Believing that he needed the FAd'H in the short run to avert anarchy, Shelton determined to reform the organization incrementally. Its abrupt collapse, he feared, would start a rapid and uncontrollable social decompression that might result in a large-scale insurgency. American rules of engagement were very restrictive; even paramilitaryFRAPHjunta supporters were to be treated as a legitimate political entity and thus not subject to neutralization unless they attacked first. Inclined initially to view the Americans as liberators, most ordinary Haitians experienced a profound sense of unfulfilled expectations upon discovery that American soldiers were negotiating and then collaborating with the despised FAd’H in maintaining order in the capital. Many Haitians had expected the U.S. to exact retribution from members of the junta. President Aristide urged the populace to remain calm until his return.

In one case on 20 September, recently landed U.S. Marines 2/2 inPort-au-Princestood by while a protesting crowd was violently dispersed by the Haitianpolice,resulting in a civilian death. The state of affairs was such that many Haitians did not know who was supposed to be in charge of the city. Following outcry among the U.S. military and citizenry, as well as among Haitians, the U.S. Army quickly changed its rules of engagement. Behind the scenes, Shelton sent an emissary, Colonel Michael Sullivan, commander of the 16th Military Police (MP) Brigade, to Port-au-Prince Police Chief Colonel Michel Francois with an unequivocal message that assaults on the populace would stop or Francois would be held accountable.

The U.S.Marineswho occupied Haiti's second largest city,Cap Haitien,had less restrictive rules; they began immediate foot patrols upon arriving, establishing a strong presence. One such patrol came across a FAd'H unit deemed to be making "threatening gestures" on 24 September, resulting in a brief firefight: ten FAd'H troops were killed for no U.S. losses. The incident helped establish U.S. authority in the public's mind (and was received enthusiastically by the populace when news spread the next day), though it was far from the last violent incident of the occupation. On 29 September, a FRAPH terrorist hurled a grenade into a crowd at a ceremony marking the reinstallation of the popular mayor of Port-au-Prince,Evans Paul;the terrorist was apprehended by the Marines the next day and interrogated.

Operation Uphold Democracy

With his capitulation, the 100-plus aircraft carrying the 82nd Airborne Division were either turned around in mid-air or unloaded before they had a chance to take off. The paratroopers returned to their unit areas on Fort Bragg and they resumed their ready status; only to have the DRF-1 unit, Task Force Panther, deployed to Panama forOperations Safe Haven and Safe Passageon 12 December 1994. The military mission changed from a combat operation to a peacekeeping and nation-building operation with the deployment of the US-led multinational force in Haiti. This force was made up primarily of members of the 3rd Special Forces Group, but also included members of the 16th Military Police Brigade, 118th Military Police Company (Fort Bragg, NC), the 101st Military Police Company, the 988th Military Police Company (Fort Benning,Georgia)and 101st Aviation Brigade (Ft. Campbell,Kentucky), 3/2 ACR fromFt. Polk,Louisianaand Marine Forces Caribbean. Teams were deployed throughout the country to establish order and humanitarian services. Regular Army forces consisting of units from the 10th Mountain Division occupied, 593rd Signal Company Fort Huachuca Ariz.Port-au-Princewith 3rd Bn (Airborne) 73rd Armor Regiment (82nd Airborne Division).

Elements from theU.S. Army Materiel CommandandDefense Logistics Agencyrelieved the Army's 1st Corps Support Command to provide logistical support in the form of the Joint Logistics Support Command (JLSC).The command, later renamed to Combined Joint Logistics Support Command in recognition of its multi-national nature, provided oversight and direct control over all Multinational Force and U.S. deployed logistics units. This included the Joint Material Management Center, JMMC and the follow-on civilian contractor LOGCAP including a senior Defense Support Agency CELL.

Later, 3 Corps deployed the Corps support CMMC, 46th Support Group. Additionally in the early deployments, elements of the 44th Medical Brigade (Airborne), 55th Medical Group, from Fort Bragg {the majority from the 28th CSH (Combat Support Hospital)} provided medical care for service members and Haitians alike. A Joint Psychological Operations Task Force (JPOTF) composed primarily of elements from the United States Army's 4th Psyop Group (Airborne) and reserve augmentees provided continuous, effective information operations support throughout Uphold Democracy and successive operations.

TheUnited States Coast Guardplayed a significant role in the operation, providing command, control and communications services from theUSCGCChase,a 378' high endurancecutteranchored in Port-au-Prince Harbor. Numerous 210' and 270' medium endurance cutters, 180'buoy tenderUSCGCGentian,and 110'patrol boatsworked withNavy SEALgunboatsto provide security for forces entering and exiting the twelve-mile exclusion zone and Port-au-Prince Harbor.

In August 1994, the battaliondeparted for the Caribbean and Haitian waters for Operation Support Democracy. 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines once again landed in Cap Haitian, Haiti on 20 September 1994. Participation in Operation Uphold Democracy lasted until October 1994. A squad from Echo Company engaged in a firefight with coup-supporting elements of the Haitian police and military. One Navy interpreter was wounded and several Haitians lost their lives. The 10th Mountain Division was relieved in place by units of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) under command of Major GeneralGeorge A. Fisher Jr.The 25th Infantry Division deployed on 4 January 1995 from their home station ofSchofield Barracks,Hawaiiand officially assumed command authority from the 10th Division on 9 January 1995. General Fisher and the 25th Infantry Division were the headquarters element of what is officially known as the Multinational Forces, Combined Task Force 190, Republic of Haiti. After the transition from Operation Uphold Democracy, a select few troops were chosen from various 25th Infantry Division units, to redeploy in various Security and Advisory roles in support of the United Nations Mission In Haiti (UNMIH).

The U.S. Army Reserve unit, 458th Transportation Detachment (ATMCT),Belleville,Illinois, was activated and reported to Fort Bragg, North Carolina within 48 hours of notification.This was the fastest a Reserve unit has ever been deployed.The 458th manned the 18th Corps Joint Movement Control Center (JMCC) in support of the mission.

Members of the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) Riverdale, Maryland, USACAPOC(A), (a US Army Reserve unit), were on the initial airborne assault mission of Operation Uphold Democracy. The 450th CA Bn. (A) was the civil affairs unit supporting the 82nd Airborne Division. The unit not only participated with the 82nd, during training operations for this mission, before September 1994, but members of 450th "ready team" were on the C-130 aircraft about to parachute into the country. The parachute jump was aborted within 20 minutes of exiting out the door of the aircraft. The unit returned to Ft. Bragg, and then deployed (air landed) to Haiti the next day, supporting the 10th Mountain Division and Marines. The unit conducted civil affairs operations and remained in the country until December of that year.

End of operations

President Jean-Bertrand Aristide returns triumphantly to the National Palace at Port-au-Prince, Haiti, October 1994

Jean Bertrand Aristide returned to Haiti in October 1994 after 3 years of forced exile.Operation Uphold Democracy officially ended on 31 March 1995, when it was replaced by theUnited Nations Mission in Haiti(UNMIH). U.S. PresidentBill Clintonand Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide presided over the change of authority ceremony. From March 1995 until March 1996, 2,400 U.S. personnel from the original Operation Uphold Democracy remained as a UNMIH-commanded support group under the aegis ofOperation New Horizons.A large contingent of U.S. troops (USFORHAITI) participated as peacekeepers in the UNMIH until 1996 (and the U.S. forces commander was also the commander of the U.N. forces). U.N. forces under various mission names were in Haiti from 1995 through 2000. Over the course of the operation one U.S. soldier, a special forces staff sergeant, was killed. The soldier died after being struck by gunfire at a roadside checkpoint.

ThreeArgentine Navycorvettes of theDrummondclassjoined the mission to force the commercial embargo of Haiti.

Further reading

• "President Carter Leads Delegation to Negotiate Peace With Haiti".http://www.cartercenter.org,The Carter Center.Retrieved24 September2009.
• "Operation Uphold (Restore) Democracy – Haiti".au.af.mil, Maxwell-Gunter Airforce base.Archived fromthe originalon 28 November 1999.Retrieved30 July2006.
• "Deployments – Haiti – Operation Uphold Democracy – Background".pdhealth.mil, Deployment Health Clinical Center.Archived fromthe originalon 29 May 2007.Retrieved6 October2006.
• "Operation New Horizons".globalsecurity.org.Retrieved10 July2007.