The Foreign Service Journal, February 2003

again engine problems prevented us from using that for the mission. After importing spare parts we finally were able to get everyone off the ground on the Somali plane. These attempts covered the better part of two days, shuttling everyone back and forth from the embassy to the airport, occasionally under fire, always under threat. When the second plane refused to start, we pulled the Ground Power Unit from the hanger to assist; unfortunately, the batteries had been stolen. Two land rovers were connected to the GPU to jump-start it — still no-go. Finally, a small propeller plane backed up to the front of the 707, hoping to use the prop wash to spin the turbines. Again nothing, but it was interesting to see the efforts to jump-start a Boeing. Our Marine security guards came through for us by providing needed shelter, food and companionship for our children, easing the stress of the moment for us parents. When the flight finally reached the first safe haven, Frankfurt, the consulate’s Community Liaison Officer met the group and organized the onward trip to the U.S. She also worked with the USO to provide win- ter coats for the freezing refugees. Other parts of the evacuation were also noteworthy, but this episode really stands out in our memories. Jim Maher Regional Financial Management Officer Florida Regional Center A Pre-Foreign Service Evacuation I was not yet a Foreign Service officer (as I am now) when I found myself in N’Djamena, Chad on a United Nations consulting assignment in December 1990. Upon arrival in the capital, I registered my presence as an American citizen with the embassy. On a Thursday, I was notified through the warden system that there would be a meeting at the embassy that night. In the meeting, we were told that a rebel group had captured a town several hundred miles to the east of the capital F O C U S F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 3 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 53