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Iwo Jima ARG Leaves Liberia, Rota Marines Stay

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS031014-07 Release Date: 10/14/2003 9:56:00 AM

By Lt. Corey Barker, Naval Station Rota Public Affairs

ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Three amphibious assault ships, USS Nashville (LPD 13), USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) and USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), pulled into U.S. Naval Station Rota, Spain, after spending two months off the coast of Liberia, providing peacekeeping support in the Capital city of Monrovia.

The ships and the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are on their way home after nearly eight months at sea. The ships moored in Rota to conduct an equipment wash-down, and take some much-needed liberty before getting underway.

Although the Joint Task Force Liberia mission is complete for the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, 55 Marines and Sailors from Marine Corps Security Force Company Europe, based at U.S. Naval Station Rota, Spain, remain in Monrovia providing security at the U.S. Embassy.

These Marines and Sailors, from 1st Platoon, are specifically trained and equipped to provide security for U.S. embassies, vital naval installations and ships in the region. They are also on standby to support any other contingency operation as directed by Commander, U. S. Naval Forces Europe.

The first security team from Rota was sent to the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, July 7. A second team was sent the following week.

After facing combat in Northern Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 26th MEU was urgently dispatched to the coast of Liberia aboard the Iwo Jima ARG in July to support peacekeeping efforts there.

According to the 26th MEU Public Affairs Officer, Capt. James Jarvis, "Multi-national peacekeeping forces from the Economic Community of West African States have established a secure zone which have allowed humanitarian operations in Liberia to proceed." Because of this, the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group was able to leave the region and return to homeport.

Col. Andrew P. Frick, commanding officer of the 26th MEU, said, "We provided a stabilizing presence which allowed the multinational forces from other Western African countries to come in and handle the problem regionally."

Just the presence of the ships and Marines made a difference in efforts to restore peace in Liberia. "When you see the Iwo Jima, the Nashville and Carter Hall off the coastline, it shows that the American public cares and that there is a definite military presence," Frick said. The U.S. ships looming on the horizon, along with the helicopters and jets flying overhead, reassured the humanitarian relief organizations and African peacekeeping forces that it was safe to go back to work.