Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO)

A military operation to evacuate non-combatants (citizens, designated host-nation nationals, and third-country nationals) from a foreign country threatened by hostilities, disaster, or civil unrest, usually conducted under the host government’s authority or with its consent. NEOs are typically led by the State Department with military support and are characterized by uncertain conditions and minimum-force rules of engagement. Sea-based amphibious forces (an Amphibious Ready Group with its embarked Marines and helicopters) are a primary NEO platform, able to receive and shelter evacuees offshore without seizing foreign territory.