[jester]

I've studied and trained for such operations.

In a hostile zone, they will have plans for selected units, go to the civilians who will have been told to assemble at a rally point, either the embassy or a predetermined location that is secure. From there they will be escorted to a extraction point that can be secured. Air assets if possible will provide security as idealy they are extracted via helos or cargo planes <C-130s, or if its a larger airport C-141s or other aircraft> The helos will remove the civilians from the immediate area to either ships waiting off short <war ships! Usualy LPD or LPDs or Aircraft Cariers> or to a more secure area where they can catch a traditional plane or even to a 3rd country where they can be transfered to other means to return them home.

the methods that will be utilized will be Helocopters, now maybe even the Osprey, trucks and hummers or boats heck even zodiaks. If it gets shitty enough...well, think of that movie Tears of the Sun, they get to walk.

Other options, for service members overseas, they will be evacuated to either a 3rd country where it is safe, or to CONUS but they will go out of theater! Since this is a military intilation they are a target, plus having alot of civilians around well, they can get in the way, they can cause problems as they fear, worry, control them and your troops will focus on them and worry distracting them from their duties. As well as they will require food, water, shelter, power and medical supplies if wounded. And they will need to be protected and escorted out should it come to that. So, they will be evacuated.

Evacuation methods, nuetral 3rd party ship. Bus or train to nuetral 3rd party nation, flight home, flight to 3rd party nation with a flight/train/ship home. Military or contracted ship home. And yes, they will make room for them on ships returning home, hospital ships and Red Cross ships. A good portion of the vessels will be left for such cases.

And yes those who have retired and opted to live in the local economy can get home, or they can stay, they will have to ASK to go home though.

I hope this helps.

Further, a U.S. citizen who is stranded overseas just needs to come to the U.S. embassy or consulate and request assistance going home and arraingments will be made to send them home. Costs can be recoved from those persons upon return home however, so it isn't a free ride to be abused. This of course is decided on a case by case basis.