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USAFE airmen attain mission success at JTF-Liberia

USAFE News

Release Date: 10/09/2003

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) - More than 300 people from U.S. Air Forces in Europe returned from supporting a safe and effective operation for Joint Task Force Liberia recently.

USAFE members were called to be a part of a joint team July 13 that was forged to stem violence and allow food to be distributed after fighting flared up among groups vying for power in Liberia, Africa.

Gen. Robert "Doc" Foglesong, USAFE commander, reflected on the selfless sacrifice and dedication of USAFE airmen during the past three months in JTF-Liberia.

"Our airmen demonstrated courage, leadership and the agility to get the mission done," he said. "I am very proud to be associated with everyone who made this operation succeed. For those who deployed-and their families-thanks for your commitment and service."

Although not specifically directed at American citizens or interests, the violence around the capitol city of Monrovia threatened to spill over onto U.S. Embassy grounds.

USAFE's role was extensive according to Col. Bob Steel, USAFE Theater Air and Space Center commander.

"Nothing would be possible without the talents of our expeditionary units," he said. "On short notice they deployed more than 3,500 miles and set up two forward bases."

Once in place, USAFE's airmen quickly saw action. HH-60 helicopters and personnel deployed from Naval Air Station, Keflavik, Iceland, along with support from the 786th Security Forces Squadron, Sembach Air Base, Germany, provided tactical airlift reinforcing the U.S. Embassy with U.S. European Command's Assessment Team and U.S. Marines who augmented the security forces in country, he said.

"During those initial sorties, our aircrews withstood volleys of AK-47 fire and mortar rounds bursting within a football field's distance of the compound's walls," Steel said. "We also had one of our medical teams live in the embassy. This team's skills were needed, but fortunately not too often."

In addition, USAFE's airfield experts helped re-open the main airport in Liberia and made sure it was safe for U.S. Air Force and other aircraft, he said. Moreover, when a surprising illness afflicted 40 plus Marines, USAFE airmen rapidly provided the medical evacuation and treatment needed for them to be transported to hospitals.

Other Air Force professionals on site included security forces, theater air mobility and rescue forces, communications experts, civil engineers and finance personnel. There were many others who supported the operation from Northern European bases, he added.

"In addition to their role within the Joint Task Force, USAFE's deployed airmen provided a face on our nation's commitment to our partners in this part of the world," Steel said.

By September, military forces from African nations had deployed to Monrovia and a degree of stability returned. As of Oct. 1, the United Nations assumed the lead for peace operations in Liberia.