Diggin' in: AFL soldiers complete FTX with assistance of U.S. Marines and Soldiers
US Marine Corps News
3/6/2009 By Sgt. Elsa Portillo , Marine Forces Africa
CAREYSBURG DISTRICT, Liberia — Soldiers with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) began their weekend by digging foxholes and getting into defensive positions, waiting to respond to various situations during their field training exercise (FTX) Feb. 21 – 27 at Camp Sandee S. Ware here.
The service members with the Liberian Security Sector Reform (SSR) and mentors with Pacific Architects and Engineers, a civilian contracted firm, oversaw the training and assisted the AFL soldiers in understanding and properly executing a good defense.
U.S. Africa Command recently sent a Military Mentor Team (MMT) to Liberia comprised of members from Marine Corps Forces Africa, Southern European Task Force and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa as part of the SSR program, a Department of State-funded program designed to assist the Liberian government in rebuilding its security sector, to include its military and police force.
“They [AFL] are doing a company FTX but with the emphasis on platoon events,” said U.S. Marine Maj. Keith Vital, 1st Battalion advisor, MMT. “Each platoon is fighting their individual fight. This is done so they can start understanding how to fight the battle as a platoon. Once they get comfortable as a platoon, then they can coordinate and fight as a company.”
The platoons encountered scenarios involving insurgents probing their lines and refugees, with insurgents embedded within them, seeking assistance. These situations are prevalent in today’s world and in the areas where these soldiers will operate. Therefore, it’s important to rehearse working as a team and to understand how each platoon will impact the fight.
The lessons were important for the new AFL. The former Liberian Army was demobilized after nearly two decades of civil war and the need for a completely new and untainted army was necessary in order to create a fresh start for Liberia and to earn the trust of its citizens. Therefore, the new AFL is only two years old and has a lot of training to accomplish.
The constant training, whether it’s in the classroom or in the field, is met with eagerness by the AFL soldiers. They ask many questions and are ready for more knowledge and more hands-on experience.
“I’m very glad to see us outside here carrying on defensive operations because we are infantry and we love it,” said Pvt. Ruphus Mah, infantryman, 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, AFL. “Our coming out here is part of our training. At the beginning, it was kind of tedious. There was a lot of teaching, but now we understand the training.”
The exercise wrapped up Feb. 27 with a debrief outlining their strengths and weaknesses. Their training will be a constant during the next few months in order to meet the Army Readiness Training Evaluation Program standards by the end of the summer, stated Vital, a Houston native.
The training tempo may seem high, but these soldiers understand that they need to hone their skills for a time when they will no longer have mentors or advisors guiding them. They are full of love for their country, its citizens and the idea of beginning a nation where they can make a difference. This is what drives them to continue each day and become a better soldier.
“It is very important to me,” said Pfc. Joseph Akoi, combat medic, 3rd Plt., Charlie Co., 1st Bn., AFL. “I feel I should be one of those who should take the responsibility… As citizens, we need to provide protection for our country.”
The SSR is part of the overall U.S. effort to help rebuild Liberia’s national defense. The program provides training and equipment of a military with an initial strength of more than 2,000 soldiers.
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