Maronites of Lebanon (Phalanges) that didn’t wanted to be called as Arabs but Phoenicians during the 80s
Its then leader Bashir Gemayel was reportedly also backed by US, this 1987 NYT article mentioned SEASPRAY, probably now called as Aviation Technology Office (ATO).
“That April, Longhofer won approval from Meyer and the Office of the Secretary of Defense for the establishment of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Battalion, another secret helicopter training and support unit based at Fort Campbell, Ky., whose existence became widely known in the aftermath of the October 1983 invasion of Grenada. The reason for setting up the 160th, Longhofer now says, was ''deception.'' He explains, ''We set it up so the media would think the 160th was the big secret unit and would dig up Fort Campbell looking for it.'' Seaspray remained unknown until 1985.
One early mission supported by Seaspray was a trip to Washington in August 1981 by the late Bashir Gemayel, the Lebanese Christian leader who without public notice visited the White House, State Department and Pentagon. The trip was handled by the C.I.A., with Army Special Operations responsible for Gemayel's safe return.”
www.nytimes.com
Add this Lebanese cover song lol
