In mid-
1990 increasing internal unrest threatened U.S. diplomats and civilians in
Liberia. Elements of a
Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked in the
USS Saipan (LHA-2)[?] amphibious ready group to provide support to the U.S. Embassy and stood by to evacuate American citizens and others from
2 June to
5 August. They evacuated a total of 2,609 people between
5 August and
9 January 1991.