Operation Sea Signal was a United States Department of Defense operation in the Caribbean in response to an influx of Cuban and Haitian migrants attempting to gain asylum in the United States. As a result, the migrants became refugees at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. The operation took place from May 1994 to February 1996 under Joint Task Force 160.GlobalSecurity.org. "Operation Sea Signal", GlobalSecurity.org website, 2008. Retrieved on October 19, 2008. The task force processed over 50,000 refugees as part of the operation. The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy rescued refugees from the sea, while other migrants attempted to cross the landmine field that then separated the U.S. and Cuban military areas. Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines provided refugee camp security at Guantanamo Bay, and ship security on board the Coast Guard cutters. This mass exodus led to the U.S. immigration implementation of the Wet Feet Dry Feet Policy. The mass Cuban exodus of 1994 was similar to the Mariel boatlift in 1980.
Background As economic, political, and social problems continued in Cuba many citizens were looking to the United States for better opportunities. These problems led to several demonstration across Cuba in early 1994. In response to anti-government demonstrations in Havana on August 5, 1994, Fidel Castro threatened to allow a mass exodus to the United States. A few days later Castro ordered his security forces not to interfere with anyone trying to leave. Almost immediately a wave of boat people known as Balseros, set out in home made rafts, boats, and inner-tubes to try to reach the United States. These devices were hastily made, overcrowded, and lacked enough food and water for the trip. The United States Military set out to help save the lives of the Balseros, and provide safety and security for them at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay. Upon finding the Balseros they were rescued and boarded unto U.S. Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard vessels. Many of the boat people were already suffering from heat injuries, and many had no food or fresh water. Several young boys and girls under the age of 10 were found floating alone on inner-tubes. The children talked of their mothers or fathers being taken by sharks during the voyage. Several refugees died during the journey and numerous rafts were found completely empty or broken into several pieces. Many of the boats that had engines were out of fuel and were floating in the current.
Operations Early in the operation migrants were being transported to Key West, Florida. However, as the exodus did not abate, preparations began to quickly accommodate the large influx of migrants to the base at Guantanamo. Military dependents were sent back to the United States not only for security, but also to help alleviate the water shortages that would plague the base during the course of the Operation. Tent cities were constructed by military personnel at several sites across the windward side of the base, including Camp Alpha, Camp Bravo. Camp Golf, and Camp X-Ray. The base golf course and the McCalla airfield on the windward side were also reutilized as refugee holding camps. First established for Operation Sea Signal, notably Camp X-Ray, were reopened after the September 11 terrorist attacks to form the basis of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
Camp conditions were challenging due to high heat conditions, water shortages, lack of restroom facilities, and large amounts of trash. The camps were secured using fences constructed of concertina wire covered in netting and were surrounded by portable light generators. Refugees lived in tents, and slept on military issue cots. Portable restrooms were located throughout the camp, and Navy Seabees constructed concrete shower facilities within the camps. Camp security included interior camp patrols, exterior camp patrols, and fixed exterior towers.
Refugees were assigned to specific camps for several different reasons. Cuban and Haitian camps were separated from each other. There were specific camps for intact families, camps for single men, and separate camps for unaccompanied minors. There were not enough unaccompanied single women to fill an entire camp, but the camps often had tents that were set aside for only them. There was also a camp located at Camp X-Ray for refugees who committed various crimes while at Guantanamo Bay. Originally there was a combined camp for all single Men and Women, however due to several problems that arose from these combined living conditions the two groups were separated.
Camp living conditions improved on a daily basis throughout the operation. All day long you could view camp soccer matches, with many different teams within each camp. In the beginning of the mission U.S. Humanitarian rations were distributed as the main meals, and then military style chow halls were added to the camps. August/September 1994 Haitian migrants rioted in protest of the plain white rice they were given to eat three times a day. The riots got violent causing many injuries to military personnel. Military personnel brought riot control gear to the deployment but were not allowed to use it as the US Army deemed the situation a humanitarian effort. Rioters threw rocks, tent poles and glass bottles of Gerber baby food during the uprisings. Meat and flavoring were added to the rice at that point. Rioting resumed after several weeks of calmness when it was purported to Haitian refugees by a news organization that the Cuban refugees on the other side of the base were being given money for being detained and Haitians were not. Artwork was constantly being created by the refugees, and the art work was displayed for the refugees, and the U.S. military to view. Several of the drawings and painting depicted the refugees travels across the Ocean, with several depictions of shark attacks.
All refugees were interviewed and screened by U.S. immigration personal deployed to the base for operations. Haitian refugees were repatriated and returned to their country under a joint agreement between Haiti and the United States. Following an agreement between the U.S. and Cuban governments exodus was once again prevented by Cuba. The Cuban refugees were allowed entry into the United States, and the camps were removed and the base returned to normal conditions.
United States military forces United States Army 39th Ordinance Company, COSCOM, Fort Bragg NC 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from 29 August 1994 - 25 February 1995 in support of Joint Task Force 160 to provide refugee camp security at Camp Alpha, Camp Bravo, Camp Golf, Camp Mike, Camp Quebec, Camp Romeo, Camp Sierra, and Camp X-Ray. This unit also served as a quick reaction force to quell any refugee uprisings, built refugee housing camp facilities, escorting refugees for medical treatment, repatriation of Haitian refugees, distribution of food and supplies, and main base security. The Regiment was housed in a tent city located on the football field of the W.T. Sampson High School. Awards for participation in Joint Task Force 160 include the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
9th Infantry Regimental Combat Team (L), 7th Infantry Division (L) Fort Ord, California and Fort Lewis, Washington. 2–9, "Manchus" along with augmentation from the 79th Forward Support Battalion and the 13th Engineer Company, deployed from Ft. Lewis to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Operation Sea Signal where they provided security and humanitarian assistance. Task Force 3rd Manchu as they became known returned to Ft. Lewis in June 1995. December 1994 to May 1995: C Company 3/9 was sent to Panama for operation joint task force - "Safe Haven" Cuban migrant humanitarian relief to support the 92D military police battalion 1st Battalion, 3rd ADA, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. 1-3 ADA with attached Alpha and Charlie Companies of the 299th Engineer Battalion deployed in early February 1995 to Guantanamo Bay to assist in the construction of four camps (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta) on Radio Range near the southeast corner of the naval base. subsequently TF 1-3 ADA received Cuban refugees from Panama and McCalla Camps then secured and administered the new camps through the unit's redeployment to Fort Carson on 19 July. In early March 1995 TF1-3 ADA was enlarged with the attachment of the 366th Security Police Company (USAF) which assumed the internal security mission for Camp Bravo. 2nd Battalion, 2nd ADA (31st ADA Bde, Ft Hood TX), was tasked with quick reaction force and external security at Camp Xray 2nd Armored Division, 1-66th Armor, Fort Hood, Texas Delta Battery, 2nd Battalion, 5th ADA, 31st Air Defense Brigade, Fort Hood 411th Civil Affairs Battalion (Tactical) ARFOR 161 75th Field Artillery Brigade 5th Battalion, 18th Field Artillery Regiment 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood June - November 1994. 209th Military Police Company, Ft. McClellan Alabama. August 1994 - February 1995 Camp Romeo and Camp Tango 293rd Military Police Company, Ft. Stewart, Georgia. September 1994 through January 1995. Camps India, Kilo and Lima, Mag 110, Mag 291. 65th Military Police Company (Airborne), Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. August 1994 through December 1994. Multiple Camps 977th Military Police Company, Ft. Riley, Kansas. January 1995 through July 1995. Camps Kilo, Mike & X-Ray 300th MP Company, Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, September 5, 1994 - February 1, 1995. Integral to the operation. 293rd MP Co, Ft Meade, Oct 91 to Feb 92 463rd Military Police Company, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri February 1995 - August 1995. Camp X-Ray 571st Military Police Company, Fort Lewis WA, November 1, 1993 - April 1, 1994 Camp Mike. 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) The 43rd Sustainment Brigade is a U.S. Army Forces Command combat service support unit stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. 553rd Corps Support Battalion at Fort Hood 24th Quartermaster Company, Fort Lewis WA, March 1995 - August 1995. Food, fuel, clean water, generators and water pumps. Moving 2+ Barges of food a week into warehouses on McCalla Hill and then onto trucks for distro to the camps. C Company, 61st Area Support Medical Battalion, Ft Hood TX 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment of the 6th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba from 11 Sept 1995 - 10 March 1996 in support of Joint Task Force 160 (Operation Sea Signal) to provide refugee camp security at Camp Alpha, Camp Bravo, Camp Charlie 593rd company, 11th Signal Brigade supplied communications for outbound telephony, and camp telephony
United States Marine Corps Marine Barracks Ground Defense/Security Force was re-designated in 2000 as Marine Corps Security Force Company. 2nd Battalion 4th Marines participated in Operation Sea Signal, augmented by 1st Battalion 8th Marines Weapons Company. During this deployment, over 2,500 Haitian immigrants were processed aboard the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), CMV Ivan Franco, and CMV Griuzy. 2/4 also provided security for refugee camps aboard the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during this operation. 1st Battalion 2nd Marines participated from August - November 1994 2nd Battalion 25th Marines participation from September - October 1994 2nd Battalion 24th Marines participation from October - November 1994 1st Battalion 6th Marines 2nd Battalion 6th Marines 3rd Battalion 6th Marines January - March 1995 1st Battalion 23rd Marines 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines July - October 1995 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing 1995 8th Marine Regiment- Headquarters Co., August - December 1994 4th Civil Affairs Group September - October 1994 MARFOR 160 Task Force 167 2nd Tank Btln TOW Platoon July - October 1994
United States Coast Guard USCGC Courageous (WMEC-622) First Vessel On-scene USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721) USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719) USCGC Tampa (WMEC-902)