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Operation Noble Obelisk was the evacuation of civilians from Sierra Leone in 1997 undertaken by USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit.
When, on May 25, 1997, rebel forces and military officers overthrough the government of Sierra Leone, a U.S. Army Special detachment already in the country for joint training exercises, moved to the capital of Freetown to secure the U.S. Embassy and its two residential compounds. It also identified an appropriate location for a helicopter landing zone (HLZ). By virtue of their on scene presence the Special Forces were able to provide the Marine Expeditionary commander with "real-time" intelligence concerning the conditions in the capital. Major General Samuel T. Helland was designated as Commander, Joint Task Force Noble Obelisk.
A total 2509 people were taken aboard Kearsarge over 4 days. 454 Americans, the rest third-country nationals.
The Marine 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina participated in the Noncombatants Evacuation Operation (NCO), as well as the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261. Naval Air Reservists provided logistical support.