Operation Palliser

Operation Palliser was a British Armed forces operation in Sierra Leone in 2000 under the command of Brigadier (now General Sir) David Richards. Initially, its scope was limited to evacuation of non-combatants only. Subsequently, apparently on the initiative of Richards, it expanded into critical support of the government and eventually resulted in the end of the civil war.^[1]

Tactical situation

In spring 2000, rebel activity in Sierra Leone was escalating significantly with the rebel forces of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) presenting a credible threat to the capital, Freetown.

Main deployment

On 7 May 2000, the Permanent Joint Headquarters directed the deployment of a Joint Task Force Headquarters. The JTF comprised the UK Spearhead Battalion: elements 20 Fd Sqn Royal Engineers, 1st Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, (minus its A-company, but reinforced by D-company 2 PARA and elements of 2 PARA's support company), the Pathfinder Platoon, the Special Air Service, elements of the Special Boat Service and Royal Air Force Hercules were deployed to conduct a Non-combatant evacuation of UK, EU, and Commonwealth citizens. Following the evacuation the main aims were to keep control of the airport, patrol Freetown and allow UN supplies to be flown in to the country safely.

Royal Air force Support Helicopter Force also were tasked, with combined efforts from 7 Sqn and 18 Sqn self deploying four Chinook HC2 medium lift helicopters, crews and engineering support from RAF Odiham to Lungi Airport, Freetown. The first pair of aircraft arriving in theatre under 36 hours from first call. Using practiced "fast run" techniques the aircraft were equipped with 3 Robertson extended range tanks (ERTs).

In support of the effort a number of Royal Navy assets were diverted:

• HMS Illustrious with elements of 801 NAS, 899 NAS and No. 3 Squadron RAF embarked. HMS Illustrious and her task group, Task Group 342.1, had been on Exercise Linked Seas and the group was diverted.^[2]
• RFA Fort George
• HMS Ocean
• HMS Argyll
• HMS Chatham
• RFA Fort Austin
• RFA Sir Bedivere
• RFA Sir Tristram

Illustrious and Fort George had been diverted from NATO exercises in the Bay of Biscay, with RAF aircraft embarked for the exercise. Aircraft of both No. IV Squadron and 801 Naval Air Squadron made a number of patrols in support of the mission.

A Forward Logistic Base was established in Dakar to support the mission.

On 17 May 2000, the rebel leader Foday Sankoh was captured by Government forces and transported to a secure location by helicopter.

Operation Palliser ended on 15 June 2000; however a continuing UK commitment provides training support to the Government of Sierra Leone.

Operation Barras

Operation Barras was an operation carried out to rescue soldiers captured by the West Side Boys (using the SAS and paratroopers) and to stabilise the situation in Sierra Leone.

Notes

1. ^ "The brigadier who saved Sierra Leone". BBC. 15 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8682505.stm. Retrieved 2012-05-03. 
2. ^ Operations in Sierra Leone, Jane's Defence Weekly, AUGUST 09, 2000

External links

• http://britains-smallwars.com/Sierraleone/Operation-Palliser.html
• Jon Henley, The Guardian, May 29, 2003, Sierra Leone 2000: How do you ask a man of 29 with three kids and both hands missing if his life is better now?"