MONROVIA- 27 JULY 2021: Personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) for the first time have converged in Northern Michigan, United States of America, for an annual war simulation training exercise known as Northern Strike. The Liberian Military delegation is headed by Deputy Chief of Staff, Brig/Gen. Geraldine Janet George.

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According to a release the Defense ministry, the AFL personnel were drawn from the AFL’S Quick Reaction Platoon of its next batch of troops to be rotated in Mali, left Liberia on Sunday, July 25, 2021 to join military personnel from all over the United States, United Kingdom, Latvia and Taiwan for Northern Strike.

From July 31-Aug. 14, the Michigan National Guard will host about 5,100 participants from three U.S. Army components, U.S. Air Force active duty and guard, U.S. Marine and U.S. Navy components, plus units from the United Kingdom, Latvia and Liberia at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center.

AFL Chief of Staff, Maj/Gen. Prince Charles Johnson, III, has expressed delight over the new role of the AFL, from observers to participants, stressing that those participating in the exercise will immediately be deployed in the West African State of Mali as part of UN peacekeeping mission.

He emphasized that, “AFL’s continual participation in Northern Strike will enhance its Operational Capabilities. This will also help Liberia to have mission- ready troops prior to deployment in United Nations Multinational Integration Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).”

“Though this is the first time that AFL Soldiers are actively participating in the physical Northern Strike Exercise, I am of the confidence that my troops will perform beyond expectations,” General Johnson stated.

Northern Strike, executed in complex field conditions designed to simulate a realistic wartime environment, demonstrates the ability to provide accessible readiness- building opportunities for military units of all service branches to achieve and sustain proficiency in conducting Mission Command, Air, Sea and Ground Maneuver Integration, together with synchronization of fires in joint, multinational and Decisive Action Environment.

The training area consists of Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center and Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center: 148,000 acres of maneuver space and more than 17,000 square miles of special-use airspace. The yearly training exercise simulates “a realistic wartime environment” and focuses on expeditionary skills, command and control, sustainment and joint-integrated fires.

“This exercise serves as a great opportunity for our multicomponent, multinational, and interagency partners to develop into efficient, joint warfighters,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of the DMVA. “Training like we may be called on to fight is critical in preparing to confront a near-peer adversary in the future.”

The Republic of Liberia/ AFL and the State of Michigan/ the Michigan National Guard signed a State Partnership Program Since 2010 after Operation Onward Liberty (OOL) successfully ended its mission in Liberia.

The Ministry of National Defense and Liberian Military enjoy a harmonious relationship with the Michigan National Guard that has provided several training opportunities through Mobile Training Team (MTT) and Training Contact Team (TCT) for Liberia military and civilian personnel; and infrastructural development like the construction of the multipurpose building at EBK Barracks.
Major General Gregory J. Vadnais (Rtd) Adjutant General and Director of Military and Veteran Affairs of Michigan played a crucial road in establishing and nurturing the partnership between the AFL and the Michigan National Guard.

The Michigan National Guard began hosting Northern Strike in 2012. The program includes exercises that require units from different military branches, and even different countries, to work together in complex, time-sensitive scenarios.