Operation Provide Promise

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Operation Provide Promise was a humanitarian relief operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav Wars, from July 2, 1992, to January 9, 1996, which made it the longest running humanitarian airlift in history.

By the end of the operation, aircraft from 21 countries had flown 12,886 sorties into Sarajevo, delivering 159,622 tons of food, medicine, and supplies and evacuating over 1,300 wounded people. The US flew 3,951 C-130, 236 C-141, and 10 C-17 airland sorties (delivering 62,801.5 tons), as well as 2,222 C-130 air-drop sorties.

One of the U.S. Navy ships involved was the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2). It was a helicopter assault ship (it has since been decommissioned) on its last deployment. The USMC aboard flew into Bosnia and Herzegovina to help return downed aircraft, personnel, and supplies. The units involved were HMM-365 (I think) and Echo company 2/2. The Ship was part of the LF6F(SOC) that was taking part in MARG 2-92 in the Mediterranean.

The Iwo Jima was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its role in this Operation.