From the S&S archives:
For U.S. forces in Somalia, it's another day in hell

Strange place, Somalia.

Operation Restore Hope. Or maybe it's Continue Hope now. That was written somewhere. On a T-shirt.

A mission of peace and compassion. And bullets.

The soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines came here to feed the people. Home in January, the president said when he sent them in December.

Everyone wonders now: January of what year?

The mission drags on. Warlord has to be dealt with. Bring in gunships. It used to be the Evil Empire. Now its African warlords.

Ambush on the streets. Stay alert when you leave the compound. Drive like crazy. Don't stop. Pound that horn. Who's a friend? Who's an enemy?

They wave an American flag in one hand and an AK-47 in the other, one guy said.

Welcome to Hell.

Everyone is settling in. Looks like a long mission. They're talking years now.

Where's the commissary going to be, a joker asks.

Over here they've got a hand laundry. Over there a guy cuts hair. He's never done it before. How hard can it be, he shrugs.

Try to relax. Catch some sleep. Do some sit-ups. Kill time. And bugs.

Swat flies. There are millions of them. No, billions. Somebody is getting out of here if there is ever room on an airplane. Good for him. He will wait four days. Somebody is stretched out on a cot. It's home for now.

Got some music. A book. Mosquito netting and malaria pills.

Going to be here awhile.

Sweet home, Somalia.