Google Gemini: The split of the African detachments from Company F to Company F & Company G occurred in late 1992 to early 1993.
MSGBn, Company F (MCESG Region 6): Retained Eastern and Southern Africa (with headquarters established in Nairobi, Kenya, and later Pretoria, South Africa).
MSGBn Company G (MCESG Region 7): Stood up between late 1992 and early 1993 to oversee Western and Central Africa, establishing its company headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Detachment Photos: Harare Photo Album
Maps: US Embassy Harare
Contact: msghistory - Harare

List of US Ambassadors to Zimbabwe
List of Travel by Secretaries of State
List of Visits to Zimbabweby US Presidents (Never)
Natural Disasters to Zimbabwe
Terrorism in Zimbabwe

FACEBOOK: MCESG MSGDuty Group
FACEBOOK: MEGA Group
Together We Served Harare
U.S. Embassy: Harare
Britannica: Harare / Zimbabwe
Google: Harare / Zimbabwe
Wikipedia: Harare / Zimbabwe
DOS History: Zimbabwe
Travel: Zimbabwe
Travel Advisory: Zimbabwe
Time: Zimbabwe
Weather: Zimbabwe
Google News: Zimbabwe
WikiNews: Zimbabwe
Phrase Book: Zimbabwe

YOUTUBE: US Embassy Zimbabwe
YOUTUBE: US Embassy Harare
YOUTUBE: 2019 - US Embassy Dedication
YOUTUBE: 1980 - US Embassy Dedication (Zimbabwe Independence)
YOUTUBE: 2026 - The Real Harare
YOUTUBE: 2026 - Top 10 Tourist Destinations
YOUTUBE: 2025 - Wonders of Zimbabwe
YOUTUBE: 2020 - Harare Street Protests
YOUTUBE: 2015 - Refugees at US Embassy Harare
YOUTUBE: How did Robert Mugabe take over Zanu

DETACHMENT HISTORY

The history of the U.S. Marine Security Guard (MSG) Detachment in Zimbabwe reflects the country’s turbulent path from British colonial rule to independence and the modern political era:

1. The Colonial Era & Consulate Period (1949–1970)

• Pre-Independence Diplomatic Footprint: In 1949, when the Foreign Service Act of 1946 established the formalized Marine Security Guard program, the territory was the British colony of Southern Rhodesia (and later part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland). The United States maintained a Consulate General in Salisbury (now Harare).

• The 1965 UDI & Closure (1970): Following Ian Smith’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965, the United States refused to recognize the white-minority Rhodesian regime. The U.S. maintained a low-level consulate presence in Salisbury for several years, but formally closed the consulate and withdrew all personnel in March 1970 to align with UN sanctions. Marine detachment operations were non-existent during the height of the Rhodesian Bush War throughout the 1970s.

2. Independence and Embassy Establishment (1980–1990s)

• Re-establishing the Detachment (1980): On April 18, 1980, Zimbabwe gained recognized independence, and the United States became the first country to open an embassy in Salisbury. A full Marine Security Guard Detachment was deployed alongside the establishment of the Embassy (later renamed Embassy Harare in 1982 when the capital was renamed).

• Command Structure: The detachment was assigned under Company F (Region 6) of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG), which oversees diplomatic security missions across Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Early Operations: Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, MSGs maintained primary Post 1 access control, round-the-clock physical security, and protection of classified information, operating out of leased chancery office facilities in downtown Harare.

3. Political Instability and Heightened Alert (2000s–2010s)

• Land Reforms and Political Unrest: Relations between the U.S. and Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF government deteriorated sharply after 2000, marked by violent land seizures, hyperinflation, and U.S. sanctions (the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act).

• Operational Environment: During frequent downtown protests, state crackdowns, and harassment of foreign diplomats, the MSG detachment operated under heightened threat levels. Marines regularly managed crowd-control perimeters, access lockdown protocols, and emergency destruction readiness drills in downtown Harare.

4. Transition to the New Embassy Compound (2019–Present)

• New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Westgate (2019): In May 2019, the U.S. officially opened an expansive, modern $292 million New Embassy Compound in the Bluffhill/Westgate area of Harare.

• Modern Mission: The relocation shifted MSG operations from older downtown buildings to an integrated compound with modern security barriers, fortified perimeter checkpoints, advanced monitoring systems, and upgraded Marine Security Guard Quarters (MSGQ). Detachment Marines continue to safeguard personnel and secure classified materials under MCESG Region 6.

2022
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Jay Cabral (MEGA) 2021-24 Harare, Lisbon, Manila

2021
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Jay Cabral (MEGA) 2021-24 Harare, Lisbon, Manila

2017

November 14-17: (Wikipedia) coup d'état / President Robert Mugabe removed

2015
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2014
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Steven Peterson (TWS) 2014 Harare

2013
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2012
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2011
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2010
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Josh Thomas (TWS) 2009-11 Harare, Port of Spain

2009
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Christine Ramsey
Josh Thomas (TWS) 2009-11 Harare, Port of Spain

2008
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2007
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Cory Best (TWS) Harare, Tallinn, Conakry
Christopher Lejeune (TWS) 2006-08 Harare, Lisbon

2006
Detachment Commander:
Freddy Abril (TWS) (LinkedIn) MSG 1999-03 Havana, Guatemala / Det Commander: 2004-06 Addis Ababa, Harare
Watchstanders:
Christopher Lejeune (TWS) 2006-08 Harare, Lisbon
Khay C. Truong (TWS) (LinkedIn) 2005-06 Harare
Charles Wright (TWS) 2004-07 Ljlublana, Harare

2005
Detachment Commander:

Watchstanders:
Khay C. Truong (TWS) (LinkedIn) 2005-06 Harare

2004
Detachment Commander: Richard Betts (TWS) 2001-04 Kampala, Harare

Watchstanders:

2003
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Daniel J Donahue (MEGA) 2003-? Harare

2002
Detachment Commander:
Darcy Dean (TWS) (LinkedIn) 2000-02 Harare
Watchstanders:
Jushua J. Cullins (TWS)
*Fallen: Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
(Military Times) of Simi Valley, Calif.; assigned to the 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Oct. 19 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
(LAPD Protective League) / Facebook-LAPD

2001
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Luis Mendoza Jr (MEGA) 2000-03 Harare, Berlin

2000
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Luis Mendoza Jr (MEGA) 2000-03 Harare, Berlin

1999
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Tony Lona (TWS) 1999-02 Harare, Valetta
Tony (Anthony)Phillips, (TWS) 1998-2001 Harare, Riyadh
Robert Shanahan (TWS) 1995-99 Budapest, Harare,

May 2: New US Embassy Dedication

1998
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Tony (Anthony)Phillips, (TWS) 1998-2001 Harare, Riyadh
Robert Shanahan (TWS) 1995-99 Budapest, Harare,

1997
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Robert Shanahan (TWS) 1995-99 Budapest, Harare,
Brandon Tattersall (TWS) (LinkedIn) 1994-97 Istanbul, Harare

1996
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Brandon Tattersall (TWS) (LinkedIn) 1994-97 Istanbul, Harare

1995
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Kevin. M. Stackpole (TWS) 1994-95 Port Louis

1994
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:


1993
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Kevin. M. Stackpole (TWS) 1994-95 Port Louis
Jeffrey J. Schroeder (MEGA) 1993-95 Harare, Abidjan





1992
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Bill Utley (TWS) (MEGA) 1990-93 Bujumbura, Harare

1991
Detachment Commander: Dennis L. Bailey (TWS) (LinkedIn) 1989 - 1992 Brazzaville, Harare, Bahrain
Watchstanders:
Bill Utley (TWS) (MEGA) 1990-93 Bujumbura, Harare

1990
MSGBN Company F Colonel Richard Vercauteren (*Deceased)
Detachment Commander: Dennis L. Bailey (TWS)

Watchstanders:

Albert Cook (TWS) 1987 - 1990 Harare, Port Louis

1989
MSGBN Company F Colonel Richard Vercauteren (*Deceased)
Detachment Commander: GySgt John Cotton 1987-89 Mogadishu, Harare
Transferred from Mogadishu, Somalia, was temporarily assigned to Harare until a suitable replacement could be assigned.

Watchstanders:
Bill Wheeler (TWS) 1988-92 Harare, Mogadishu, Pretoria

1988
Ambassador: James Wilson Rawlings
DCM: Edward F. Fugit, (Chargé d'Affaires from 03/1989 to 04/1990.)
RSO: John Gaddis, Harare (1986-88), Moscow (1988-90)
a former Marine Security Guard,
Served with the MSG Detachment in Athens, Greece in the 1970's?.
Detachment Commander:
Douglas L Stipes, Dhaka, Harare. 1985 - 1988.
SSgt Stipes transferred to the FMF (MWHS-4, 4th MAW at NAS Belle Chasse, Louisiana)
Watchstanders:
Albert Cook (MEGA), 09/87 - 03/89 MSG Class 5/87, Port Louis, Mauritius 87-88, Harare 88-89
*assignment was extended by 3 months, - allow other Marines to rotate without 3/5th's of the Detachment replaced at one time.
Jay S. Neubauer 1985-88 Moscow, Harare
Gerry Randolph, 1985-87 ?, Harare, Honorable Discharge.
Ronald Davis, 1986-86 ? Harare, Honorable Discharge
(from Albert Cook: I believe he joined a NY State Reserve Unit afterwards -ran into him at 4th MARDIV/4th Marine Aircraft Wing in New Orleans during the Summer of 1990.)
Anthony Scrofne (MEGA) (LinkedIn) (Facebook) 1988-91 Harare, Alexandria
James C. Lee, MSG Class 5/87, Harare from 09/87 - 12/88 / LaPaz, Bolivia 88-89
Bill Wheeler (TWS) 1988-92 Harare, Mogadishu, Pretoria

The RSO was John Gaddis, a former Marine Security Guard, I believe who served with the MSG Detachment in Athens, Greece in the 1970's.

1980

Zimbabwe gains independence from UK

Historical Incident: Demonstrations USS Vincennes, shot down an Iranian Airbus

There was a huge demonstration that started at the University of Zimbabwe and trekked to the front of the American Embassy on Rhodes Avenue just after the U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser, the USS Vincennes, shot down an Iranian Airbus over the Persian Gulf during the Iran/Iraq was in 1988. All of the Marines stationed in Harare were ordered into the Embassy, spending multiple days and nights either standing post as a two-man team and sleeping under the stairs in the emergency exit area, as the Embassy staff were still working the mission and the Det Commander wanted us to try to be as invisible as possible, trying to make the workday feel as normal as possible for the staff.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/10/21/Black-youths-rampage-in-Zimbabwe/8285530251200/

About a year prior to my arrival, there was a huge and violent demonstration outside the gates of the American Embassy. This occurred shortly after the mysterious plane crash that killed the Mozambique President, Samora Machal. Mozambique believed that the South African government sabotaged the plane. I saw a homemade video of the event, where the demonstrators gained access to the Embassy grounds and removed the American Flag from the flagpole; rocks and debris were thrown through the windows. Afterwards, the American Flag was no longer displayed on a flagpole on Embassy grounds but was relocated to the top of the Embassy and displayed at a 45-degree angle.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/11/26/Rebels-kill-16-church-workers/5775564901200/

Shortly after I began working at Post One, I received a phone call from the Counselor Officer, Arthur Mills, III, who needed to be patched to the switchboard at the State Department, as he was working on obtaining information on the massacre of several missionaries who were macheted to death in November 1987. There were plenty of dissident actions that were occurring across Zimbabwe, who were stopping cars on the highways outside of town and killing people at random. I believe this was due to Robert Mugabe's ZANU government, or the Shona tribe taking over the government after the 1980 Independence and the transition from the White Minority government to Mugabe. These incidents occurred across the country until sometime later when Mugabe allowed some of the ZAPU leadership, Joshua Nkomo, in particular, to participate in the government.

Humane Rights Concert 1988

https://steemit.com/music/@tim-beck/human-rights-now-concert-harare-1988-part-1

On October 7, 1988, SSgt Stipes stood a shift at Post One so the Marine Detachment could go, as a group, to the Amnesty International "Human Rights Now!" concert at the National Sports Stadium. The Headlining artists for this particular concert were Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman & Youssou N'Dour. The Local Supporting Acts were Oliver Mtukudzi, Ilanga & Cde Chinx.

1987
RSO: John Gaddis
Detachment Commander:
Douglas L. Stipes (Facebook) 1987-88 Bhaka, Harare

Watchstanders:
Gerry Randolph, Harare 1986-87 (End of tour)
Albert Cook (MEGA), 09/87 - 03/89 MSG Class 5/87, Port Louis, Mauritius 87-88, Harare 88-89
*assignment was extended by 3 months, - allow other Marines to rotate without 3/5th's of the Detachment replaced at one time.
William Wheeler,
Alphonso Harrell (Facebook)
James C Lee
David Alaga (Google Biography)
Jay S. Neubauer, (TWS) (Facebook) 1985-88 Moscow, Harare, Honorable Discharge
Gerry Randolph, 1986 - 1987 ?, Harare, Honorable Discharge
He was assigned to Harare in 1986 - 1987.
Ron Davis 1985-87 ?, Harare, Honorable Discharge
Alfred (Tony) Figueroa, (Facebook) 1987-88 (MSG Class 05-87), Harare - Europe ?
Randy Thompson (TWS) 1986-88 Harare, Havana

1986
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Jay S. Neubauer, (TWS) 1985-88 Moscow, Harare USMC Honorable Dischard
Gerry Randolph, 1986 - 1987 ?, Harare USMC Honorable Discharge
Jay S. Neubauer, (TWS) (Facebook) 1985-88 Moscow, Harare, Honorable Discharge
Gerry Randolph, 1986 - 1987 ?, Harare, Honorable Discharge
He was assigned to Harare in 1986 - 1987.
Ron Davis 1985-87 ?, Harare, Honorable Discharge
Alfred (Tony) Figueroa, (Facebook) 1987-88 (MSG Class 05-87), Harare - Europe ?
Randy Thompson (TWS) 1986-88 Harare, Havana

1985
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

Ron Davis 1985-87 ?, Harare, Honorable Discharge
James F Warren (MEGA) 1980-85 Budapest, Paris, Harare

1984
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1983
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1982
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1981
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1980
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Lesley G Maenner (MEGA) 1980-83 Budapest, Lagos, Harare

April 18: Zimbabwe gained recognized independence, and the United States became the first country to open an embassy in Salisbury. A full Marine Security Guard Detachment was deployed alongside the establishment of the Embassy (later renamed Embassy Harare in 1982 when the capital was renamed).

DETACHMENT PHOTO ALBUM

2002: Joshua Cullins (KIA Helmand Province 2010

1987: Albert Cook
1987: Albert Cook - MSG Graduation
1988: MSG Detachment Photo
2004: Freddy Abril
1991: Dennis Baily (Det Commander)

2007: Cory Besty
2004: Richard Betts

US Embassy Harare, Zimbabwe

maps.google.com - US Embassy Harare, Zimbabwe

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