THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 18, 1994 TAG: 9409180069
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEPHANIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 123 lines
The last U.S. troops to leave Somalia lumbered off a transport plane here Saturday, leaving behind images of bullet-pocked buildings and a country no one has been able to save from destroying itself.
The quiet homecoming might have received more attention had the spotlight not been turned to Haiti, the next nation marked for rescue by the United States.
Were lessons learned in Somalia? The 55 Marines and three sailors who stepped onto the hot airfield Saturday morning at Norfolk Naval Air Station know only that the United States helped end a famine but couldn't stop a civil war.
``As much as the U.S. tried to stop the fighting there, it wasn't going to happen,'' said Cpl. Marc Costa, 23, of New York. ``They just wanted to fight. It was a good thing we got out of there.''
The last things Costa saw as the plane left Somalia were ``a lot of sand - just desert and ruined buildings.''
For others, images of starving children and a dead soldier being dragged through the streets weren't far behind.
``Escape from New York!'' said Capt. Dutch Bertholf, 28, of Orlando, Fla., referring to the 1981 science fiction film starring Kurt Russell. ``That's what it's like. Everybody's got a weapon and out of control. If you're not from their clan, they don't like you.''
Bertholf and the Marines who returned Saturday were the last of the official U.S. combat presence in Mogadishu. These Marines, the 2nd platoon of the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team based at Camp Allen in Norfolk, were responsible for protecting U.S. diplomats in Somalia.
Five of the force's six platoons were in Somalia for several months-long stints. The 6th platoon was the first, and the 2nd platoon was the last, said Maj. Mike Paulovich.
The 6th platoon set up barracks in an abandoned house close to the edge of the U.N. compound. From the roof, they could see the forces of warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid coming from one direction and another warlord's fighters coming from the other.
``We'd just watch them go after each other,'' said Col. Paul R. Ottinger, commander of the Marine Corps Security Force Battalion at Camp Allen.
Last week, U.S. Ambassador Daniel H. Simpson praised the group for keeping him and other diplomats safe during hundreds of dangerous trips down dusty Somali roadways to meet with the warlords. In 500 armed convoys, the Marines and diplomats suffered no casualties.
One of the worst trips for Bertholf was at night through northern Mogadishu.
``There are no street signs in northern Mogadishu, and no lights, so you can't see,'' Bertholf said. ``And no help. You can't pull over and say, `Excuse me. Umm, could you help me?' ''
During some trips, armed men would wave and cheer, he said. Other times they would leer, throw rocks and fire rounds at the diplomats and their Marine escorts.
``Every time we went out, you didn't know what would happen,'' Bertholf said. ``The worst was you could get caught between the groups fighting each other.''
The negotiations produced no agreement, however. So last week, the U.S. flag was lowered and all 80 diplomats and Marines left. U.N. forces remain in Somalia and reportedly have asked for U.S. help when they leave.
If negotiators still are seeking peace in Somalia, Ottinger isn't sure they'll find it.
``To me, it's a fairly hopeless situation,'' he said.
On Saturday, before his troops were greeted by parents, wives and girlfriends, Ottinger made a short speech welcoming them home. Likely, the Marines will be on leave for a week or so.
They don't think they're headed for Haiti, but they don't write the orders.
``I never promise not to send them anywhere,'' Ottinger said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
BILL TIERNAN/Staff
The Marines who returned to Norfolk Naval Air Station on Saturday
were the last of the official U.S. combat presence in Somalia. Based
at Camp Allen in Norfolk, they were responsible for protecting U.S.
diplomats in the African nation. They were praised for their
efforts: In 500 armed convoys, the Marines and diplomats suffered no
casualties.
Photo
BILL TIERNAN/Staff
Janet Paulovich spots her husband, Mike, as his platoon - the last
U.S. combat force in Somalia - returns to Camp Allen in Norfolk on
Saturday. With her are children Mark, 6, and Stephanie, 5.
Graphic
A brief chronology of the Somalia crisis:
By The Associated Press
-----
1991
Jan. 28 -- Victorious rebels drive President Siad Barre from
Mogadishu.
Nov. 17 -- Rebel factions begin heavy fighting. Famine worsens.
-----
1992
Dec. 9 -- U.S. troops arrive to protect food deliveries.
-----
1993
March 27 -- Factions sign ``reconciliation'' pact, but it is
ineffective.
May 4 -- U.S. turns over military command to U.N.
June 5 -- Ambushes kill 23 Pakistani U.N. peacekeepers as they
hunt for warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid faction's weapons.
Oct. 3 -- U.S. Army Rangers attack Aidid stronghold. Three
hundred Somalis and 18 Rangers killed.
Oct. 7 -- President Clinton announces U.S. will withdraw within
six months.
-----
1994
March 25 -- Last U.S. operational forces leave.
June 23 -- New fighting between main factions.
Aug. 22 -- Seven Indian U.N. peacekeepers killed in ambush.
Sept. 15 -- Last U.S. diplomats and Marine guards withdraw from
Somalia.
KEYWORDS: SOMALIA by CNB