blog article 

Operation Restore Hope

Dive into Ricky's remembrances of Operation Restore Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia. 

We arrived on the 9th of December 1992 in the late afternoon at the airstrip in Mogadishu. 

The Marines had already taken control of the airstrip and beach. We set out on foot to take up positions in the town. If I remember correctly, we set up our Sections defences in the garden of what had been the Egyptian Embassy before. We spent about two interesting weeks there before leaving to take the areas to the West towards the border. 

I would love to hear from any Vets especially those from the Marines Anglico unit with whom we worked.

 Our kit on the runway before leaving Djibouti airport.

Our kit on the runway before leaving Djibouti airport.

 About to arrive at the airstrip in Mogadishu, me in the centre.

About to arrive at the airstrip in Mogadishu, me in the centre.

  The Las Vegas “Hotel” used as an H.Q by another section of our guys.

The Las Vegas “Hotel” used as an H.Q by another section of our guys.

  At Mogadishoe airstrip.

At Mogadishoe airstrip.

 Things getting hot in town!

Things getting hot in town!

 One of my mate’s found this photo years later on Getty images of me in the front left alongside another Corporal of the Marines on patrol with our sections.

One of my mate’s found this photo years later on Getty images of me in the front left alongside another Corporal of the Marines on patrol with our sections.

  My mates Micky, Gunther and  Doc Leboisne with Marine.

My mates Micky, Gunther and  Doc Leboisne with Marine

   My friend Ivanhov, Ukrainian Legionnaire.

My friend Ivanhov, Ukrainian Legionnaire.

 Choppers landing somewhere in the desert.

Choppers landing somewhere in the desert.

 Legionnaires and Marines side by side as brothers in arms.

Legionnaires and Marines side by side as brothers in arms.

 Our Section by nationalities. Bellarus, German, South African, French, Polish, Canadian, Polish, Romainian, Polish. Everyone spoke Legion French, a mixture of European languages unique to the Legion as the Knights Templars of old  spoke a Lingua Franca in Europe when different nationalities went on Crusades in order to communicate. 

Our Section by nationalities. Bellarus, German, South African, French, Polish, Canadian, Polish, Romainian, Polish. Everyone spoke Legion French, a mixture of European languages unique to the Legion as the Knights Templars of old  spoke a Lingua Franca in Europe when different nationalities went on Crusades in order to communicate.

 Attempting to get Radio Comms with base out in the sticks. 

Attempting to get Radio Comms with base out in the sticks.

 Legion column on the road.

Legion column on the road.

 Our good mate Ray Trembath, sadly passed away last year. R.I.P dear friend.

Our good mate Ray Trembath, sadly passed away last year. R.I.P dear friend.

  Me left and my mate Ossie Orbon right, Ethiopian border.

Me left and my mate Ossie Orbon right, Ethiopian border.
Ricky Balona's picture - Ricky looks forward and smile.
By Ricky Balona

"As a Veteran I feel that some of our experiences were life changing. Writing helps me put that part of my life into perspective and appreciate the present and excited about the future."

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