Operation Sharp Edge was carried out by the United States Marine Corps 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in mid-1990 amid increasing internal unrest which threatened U.S. diplomats and civilians in Liberia. Elements of a Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked in the USS Saipan (LHA-2) amphibious ready group to provide support to the U.S. Embassy and stood by to evacuate American citizens and others from 2 June to 5 August. They evacuated a total of 2,609 people between 5 August and 9 January 1991.

Operation Shining Express, a similar mission to evacuation civilians, was carried out during the 2003 Liberian civil war.