With the worsening of the socio-political crisis in Somalia, following the decisions of the Security Council, one was established Task Force Multinational Joint Forces, for the completion of the UN military intervention in Somalia, through the evacuation of the UN contingent deployed there - employed on the territory to ensure the disarmament of the militias and favor the appointment of a new government - now no longer able to operate in security following the outbreak of the civil war.
Italy participated in the operation from January to March 1995, in the context of an air-naval coalition, composed of 20 naval units from 6 countries (France, Great Britain, Italy, Malaysia, Pakistan and United States), formed in support evacuation and deployed in the Indian Ocean.
On a national level, the 26th Naval Group was formed - consisting of the aircraft carrier Garibaldi, from the two amphibious ships St. George e Saint Mark, from the supplier Stromboli and from the frigate Libeccio - which sailed for this purpose to the coast of East Africa. This mission marked the operational baptism of the line strike AV8B - Embarked Aircraft Group - on ship Garibaldi. The planes were effectively used in operational reconnaissance and escort missions to protect the 8 UN peacekeepers.
The planes carried out a total of over 100 sorties, with maximum technical-operational efficiency, a result of extraordinary value considering the fact that the operation was precisely the debut in real activity for the new line just acquired.
In this context the natural vocation emerged expeditionary of the Navy, able to intervene in full autonomy and reliability in operational theaters far from the national coasts, with great speed and effectiveness of action.
