Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response help U.S. citizens into a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules airplane in Juba, South Sudan, during an evacuation of personnel from the U.S. Embassy, Jan. 3, 2014. A squad-size element of U.S. Marines from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response successfully evacuated more than 20 personnel from the U.S. Embassy in coordination with the East Africa Response Force, and under the command and control of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. The Marines from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response are specifically trained for scenarios in which they provide support to a U.S. Embassy in the form of fixed-site security, Embassy reinforcement, support to non-combatant evacuation, and other missions as directed.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III

Marines evacuate embassy in South Sudan

4 Jan 2014 | Courtesy Story Marine Corps Forces Europe

JUBA, South Sudan -- As announced by the Department of State, due to the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan, Jan.3, the United States has further reduced staffing at the Embassy in Juba.

The Department of Defense, at the request of the Department of State, assisted in the transportation of U.S. Embassy personnel, as well as several personnel from other nations, this morning, from Juba, South Sudan to Entebbe, Uganda.

Two KC-130 aircraft assigned to the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response element pre-positioned at Entebbe, Uganda were used to move the personnel.

Soldiers from the East Africa Response Force (EARF), assigned to USAFRCIOM, and under the command and control of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, will continue to provide security reinforcement to the U.S. Embassy in Juba.

The Department of Defense, supporting the Department of State, continues to work to ensure the safety and security of our citizens in South Sudan. We will continue to monitor the security situation in South Sudan in order to be postured to respond to the any additional requests from the Department of State.