Joint Task Force Liberia

[1] The ongoing civil war destabilized the area and created a large number of refugees as rebel forces closed in on Monrovia and took over Bushrod Island.

In 2003, the 56th Rescue Squadron of the 85th Group, U.S. Air Force, from Keflavik, Iceland, deployed to Liberia as part of JTF-Liberia.

[3] In July, Marines from a forward deployed Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) left Naval Station Rota, Spain for Liberia.

After a month of the platoon of Marines being alone to defend the Embassy Compound, the 26th MEU, which had steamed at full speed for 2 weeks from the Horn of Africa finally arrived off shore.

The Task Force Command Element Forward embarked aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) with the intent of keeping a small footprint ashore.

U.S. Marines from 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit land in Liberia
U.S. Ambassador to Liberia John W. Blaney talking to the marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
World Food Programme unloads humanitarian aid at the Freeport of Monrovia during JTF Liberia.
John W. Blaney and marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.