The Michigan Nationwide Guard (MING) and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) celebrated the
fifteenth anniversary of their partnership beneath the Nationwide Guard Bureau’s State Partnership
Program (SPP) in a sequence of particular occasions held June 10-13 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver
Coaching Heart, Michigan.
These actions, which coincided with the MING’s annual coaching workout routines, started with a
ceremonial tree planting and culminated with the MING’s annual Cross-In-Evaluate parade. Maj.
Gen. Davidson Forleh, the AFL Chief of Workers, served as a distinguished reviewing official.
“Within the enterprise of protection and safety, we will by no means relaxation on our laurels. Our occupation
calls for vigilance and motion in a dynamic and ever-evolving atmosphere,” stated U.S. Military
Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, MING adjutant common. “That doesn’t imply, nonetheless, that there’s
by no means time for reflection – you will need to take time for perspective, honor, and appreciation.
That’s what these occasions with our Liberian companions are all about.”
Along with Forleh, the Liberian delegation included AFL Lt. Col. Francis Gbodi, army
advisor to the chief of workers; Lt. Col. Stephen Tarplah, chief of public affairs; and Maj. Urias
Zogaa, chaplain common.
On June 10, Zogaa joined Col. Brian Martinus, MING State Chaplain, to dedicate a white pine
– Michigan’s state tree – close to the Camp Grayling chapel. The dedication symbolized the
energy of the Michigan-Liberia partnership. Zogaa additionally participated collectively within the annual
MING prayer breakfast on June 12, delivering the benediction.
“The tree is an emblem of life, development, fertility, and a legacy for the following technology,” stated
Zogaa. “Because the roots deepen, a tree can stand up to robust winds and harsh climate. That
resiliency is what defines a robust partnership.”
In the course of the tree ceremony, individuals mirrored on the partnership’s historical past.
The SPP was established in 1993 to foster safety cooperation between U.S. states’ Nationwide
Guards and accomplice nations in a mutually useful relationship. Liberia formally requested to
be a part of this system in early 2009 by then-Minister of Protection Brownie J. Samukai. Later
than 12 months, Liberia was paired with Michigan due partially to the robust Liberian-American
neighborhood within the Detroit space, together with U.S. Air Power Grasp Sgt. Paulus Obey, a Liberian –
American serving within the 127th Wing at Selfridge ANG Base, Michigan.
Michigan acquired official notification of the partnership in December 2009. In September
2010, an AFL delegation traveled to Michigan for a familiarization with MING services and
management. The subsequent month, then-Adjutant Common Maj. Gen. Tom Cutler led a MING
delegation to Monrovia, Liberia, the place the partnership was formally inaugurated throughout a
assembly with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Oct. 27, 2010.
Throughout this 12 months’s go to, Forleh noticed annual coaching occasions throughout northern Michigan,
together with drone operations with MING’s 1st Battalion, one hundred and twenty fifth Infantry Regiment; medical
readiness actions with MING’s Medical Detachment, which is immediately aligned with the
AFL’s 14 Navy Hospital; and a affected person extraction train on Lake Huron, carried out beneath
the Air Nationwide Guard’s Medical Readiness College program on the Carmeuse Calcite
Quarry in Rogers Metropolis. Roughly 2,900 service members participated within the workout routines,
which occur yearly in June to help total readiness and proficiency of the MING.
Forleh additionally engaged in key chief discussions with Rogers and Brig. Gen. Ravindra Wagh,
assistant adjutant common – Military. Wagh has a deep historical past with the SPP, having served as a
mentor through the U.S. Africa Command-led Operation Onward Liberty (OOL) mission in
Liberia from 2014-2015. Between 2011-2016, the MING supported a number of OOL rotations,
establishing shut ties and relationships because the AFL established itself as an expert army
group following 14 years of civil conflict.
“After I was a captain, we had an American mentor on the AFL brigade who was a lieutenant
colonel,” stated Forleh. “That man is now Brig. Gen. Wagh. How superb that we’re right here
right this moment, each as common officers.”
Earlier than the June 13 Cross in Evaluate parade, Forleh met with Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilcrist
II, who praised the SPP and Liberia’s rising management position in West Africa. Earlier in June,
Liberia was elected to a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Safety Council for the 2026-2027
time period. The AFL additionally began the second iteration of its Fundamental Chief Course on June 9, one other
vital step towards skilled improvement for a company rebuilt and rebranded as
a “Power for Good” lower than 20 years in the past.
Between 2013 and2023, the AFL solidified its popularity for adherence to the rule of legislation and
respect for human rights whereas taking part in United Nations peacekeeping operations in
Mali. In 2021, Liberian peacekeepers educated at Camp Grayling as a part of Northern Strike, the
Nationwide Guard’s largest readiness train.
All through the commemoration, Forleh expressed profound appreciation on behalf of the
individuals and authorities of Liberia to the individuals and authorities of america —
particularly the Michigan Nationwide Guard — for his or her continued help to Liberia’s post-
battle protection transformation.
“What makes the AFL robust is our concentrate on self-discipline, coaching, and welfare,” stated Forleh.
“Whenever you take a look at the report established by the AFL in peacekeeping operations, that was
solely attainable by our pre-deployment preparation from our U.S. companions.”
“From the place the AFL is coming from, the place we’re, and the place we’re going, it comes down
to this: we’re targeted on doing the appropriate factor,” he added.
MING leaders emphasised that the partnership with Liberia stays robust and lively,
referencing current engagements supporting the medical, human sources, authorized, chaplains, and
household packages traces of effort.
“There was great foresight in establishing this partnership,” stated Rogers. “Reflecting on
our robust basis will increase Michigan’s resolve to be one of the best companions we could be for our
Liberian counterparts. We are going to by no means take our foot off the gasoline pedal to work collectively, share
concepts, and hear.”
