American ICA school evacuation from Ivory Coast

[Uncle Chô]

Pictures taken "first hand" by one of the female member from the American International Christian Academy School beeing evacuated from Bouake, a medium city in central Ivory Coast, September 2002.


"... Rebels overtook the city of Bouake, the home of the school, on the 20th of September. ICA found itself literally in the crossfire. For five tense days after that, students and staff at ICA were in lockdown within the school compound's walls waiting out the battle between loyalist troops and the rebels.

The impact on student and staff families was made worse by media reports filled with misinformation about the welfare of the students during the lockdown.

French military safely evacuated the ICA students and staff on September 25th. The ICA evacuees left with the clothes on their backs and one carry-on size bag of personal possessions.

The destination was Yamoussoukro, normally one-hour south on the main highway. Due to the fighting on that route, a more circuitous route was taken which took 10 hours. This included several stops to siphon fuel between thirsty vehicles. The final fuel stop was in the night when the French flew in fuel by helicopter for the evacuation vehicles.

After Yamoussoukro, the priority was to get all students safely back to their parents. This happened over the course of the next two days..."

(from the ICA website)

They were later handled to the US Special Forces flown by C-130s.

http://ica.sim.org/images/047%20the%20marines%20have%20landed.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/050%20commander's%20jeep%20at%20the%20gate.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/051%20armored%20personnel%20carrier.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/052%20commander%20on%20foot.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/053%20more%20troops%20arrive.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/054%20phone%20home.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/055%20fly%20the%20colors.jpg
Very RARE picture (if not unique). American citizens waving a French flag and wearing Parisian soccer team T-shirt. rofl That was for a specific reason... ;)

http://ica.sim.org/images/056%20we're%20so%20glad%20you've%20arrived.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/057%20the%20prize%20-%20le%20coq.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/058%20official%20picture.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/061%20look%20who's%20coming%20for%20dinner.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/062%20y'all%20come%20on%20in.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/063%20make%20yourselves%20at%20home.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/066%20flag%20on%20the%20guardhouse.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/067%20communications%20check.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/068%20setting%20up.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/069%20mike%20cousineau.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/070%20defensive%20positions.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/072%20new%20guard%20at%20the%20gate.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/073%20serious%20armament.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/074%20mike%20cousineau%20&%20french%20commander.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/075%20the%20gate%20is%20open%20for%20the%20first%20time%20in%20a%20week.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/076%20mike%20cousineau%20&%20%20chris%20marine%20talking%20to%20french%20officer.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/080%20french%20military%20vehicles.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/081%20medical%20center.jpg

http://www.ica.ed.ci/conflict/evac%20pics/12.jpg

http://www.ica.ed.ci/conflict/evac%20pics/14.jpg

http://www.ica.ed.ci/conflict/evac%20pics/17.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/084%20french%20tank%20cruising%20campus.jpg

http://www.ica.ed.ci/conflict/evac%20pics/19.jpg
Yes, kids are sharing their pythons with soldiers !

http://www.ica.ed.ci/conflict/evac%20pics/21.jpg

http://www.ica.ed.ci/conflict/evac%20pics/27.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/092%20convoy%20moves%20out.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/094%20our%20escort.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/095%20escort%20&%20french%20checkpoint.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/096%20checkpoint.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/098%20reinforcements.jpg

http://www.ica.ed.ci/conflict/evac%20pics/34.jpg

http://www.ica.ed.ci/conflict/evac%20pics/36.jpg

http://www.ica.ed.ci/conflict/evac%20pics/37.jpg

http://www.ica.ed.ci/conflict/evac%20pics/38.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/107%20american%20military%20on%20guard.jpg

http://ica.sim.org/images/108%20guarding%20the%20gate%20at%20yis.jpg
Look at the M4 camo...

http://ica.sim.org/images/117%20one%20of%20our%20guards.jpg

[Deuterium]

Ah coup season in Africa. How I miss it.

[budanski]

http://ica.sim.org/images/055%20fly%20the%20colors.jpg

What a disgrace...jk ;)

Great pics Uncle Cho. :D

[Roger Rabbit]

Yes its that time again where if you want a go at running the country you just go and take charge. There are no fees or hidden costs just step right up and claim your the new president/emperor/king/chief/head comrade/fuher whatever.

what are the armoured vehicles? Are they french or were they borrowed from someone?

[Guttorm]

The US guy on the last photos... What is c-21 ?

[Uncle Chô]

what are the armoured vehicles? Are they french or were they borrowed from someone?

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5380

See bottom

[Roger Rabbit]

thanks

[usa320]

http://ica.sim.org/images/107%20american%20military%20on%20guard.jpg

FAST? Delta?

I personally think the French did a great job there, i mean we coulda done better, said screw the 10 hour trip, flew helos right into the school and been done in 20 minutes, but the french did do a good job at getting them people out safely.

WHen they are allowed to, the French can do good work.

[Roger Rabbit]

the guy on the right looks a bit young to be Delta, but then what do i know.

[Dalleer]

http://ica.sim.org/images/058%20official%20picture.jpg

I don't know about the other people down here, but those specific boots that the French soldier is wearing are looking mighty fine.

Those things would be great to own, for airsoft-games and all.

Topic related, I suppose that it doesn't really matter who saves these people as long as the civilians are alright.

I wouldn't really know just how dangerous was it for those Civilians out there, but I'm sure the French are doing/did a good job in that operation.

[Uncle Chô]

I mean we coulda done better as usual ;) , said screw the 10 hour trip, flew helos right into the school and been done in 20 minutes

Apocalypse Now in Africa ?? rofl

" France, very poor Army. France military no have buku money. No flying strange machines. Only old trucks... "

Seriously, there was no tactical need to engage a large fleet of vulnerable helos full of civilians over hostile territory. The children were secured in the school for a few days, some recon units went there and realized it was easier and safer to evacuate them by controled roads using their own vehicles and buses.

When they are allowed to, the French can do good work.

I recently spoke with men that were engaged there and in Congo last summer. They have been told to use force if necessary and doing offensive and preventive raids. Not standing as human targets with a Blue helmet like in FY before 1995. :|

[Deuterium]

http://ica.sim.org/images/107%20american%20military%20on%20guard.jpg

FAST? Delta?

I personally think the French did a great job there, i mean we coulda done better, said screw the 10 hour trip, flew helos right into the school and been done in 20 minutes, but the french did do a good job at getting them people out safely.

WHen they are allowed to, the French can do good work.

Nope, and Nope. The MArines always say they are the 911 force for coups and NEOs but they are not. You're looking at the usual force that's "first in" in Arfrica. Prost boys.

[Uncle Chô]

http://ica.sim.org/images/058%20official%20picture.jpg

I don't know about the other people down here, but those specific boots that the French soldier is wearing are looking mighty fine.

Footware have not been changed in the French Army/Police for almost 40 years ! Soldiers are still issued with all leather combat boots from the 60's...

Most of the men buy better quality boots on the civilian market like High-Tech for law enforcement or Danner's / Hecker for the paratroopers.