A Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) is an operation conducted to
evacuatecivilians from another country, generally due to a deteriorating security situation.
According to United States Military Joint Publication 3-68, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations:[7]
"Noncombatant evacuation operations (NEOs) are conducted to assist the
Department of State (DOS) in evacuating noncombatants, nonessential military personnel, selected host-nation citizens, and third country nationals whose lives are in danger from locations in a host foreign nation to an appropriate safe haven and/or the United States.
NEOs usually involve swift insertions of a force, temporary occupation of an objective, and a planned withdrawal upon completion of the mission.
During NEOs, the US
Ambassador is the senior authority for the evacuation and is ultimately responsible for the successful completion of the NEO and the safety of the evacuees. The Ambassador speaks with the authority of the
President and serves as direct representative on site."
This means that at times American citizens may become endangered in locations outside of the United States. This is usually due to
civil unrest or war. However, it may also be due to a
natural disaster. The U.S. Ambassador has the responsibility, according to law, to request a NEO. Once he does, the government will determine whether or not the evacuation should be done with civilian resources, such as the
Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), or with military forces. Even if military forces conduct the evacuation, the Ambassador remains in charge of the evacuation.[citation needed]
The method of evacuation could include sealift,
airlift, or even by road.