Liberians wave as U.S. Marine helicopters prepare to land Thursday at the port of Monrovia in support of West African peacekeepers. It is part of an effort to move humanitarian aid to the capital after the troops take control of the port from departing rebels. (Carolyn Cole / LAT)
Helicopters arrive at the airport in Monrovia. The deployment to Liberia, which should involve about 200 troops, is the largest U.S. military move in Africa since the disastrous intervention in Somalia in 1992. (Carolyn Cole / LAT)
U.S. Marines arrive at the Monrovia airport on Thursday. (Carolyn Cole / LAT)
A Marine from the 2nd Engineering Battalion makes preprations after landing in Monrovia. The troops are from three U.S. warships floating a few miles off Liberia’s shore. (Carolyn Cole / LAT)
U.S. Marines on the ground in Monrovia. The current U.S. role in Liberia is not expected to include combat. (Carolyn Cole / LAT)
