Michigan Guard Pledges Continued Support For AFL, Amid Challenges
Michigan Guard Pledges Continued Support For AFL, Amid Challenges
MONROVIA, Dec. 5 (LINA) – The United States Assistant Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard, Brigadier General Ravinda V. Wagh, has vowed to champion the interests of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) within the U.S. Department of Defense.
Speaking at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 as part of his three-day visit to Liberia, Brig. Gen. Wagh said he will ensure Liberia remains a top priority, and the AFL’s challenges are viewed as opportunities for enhancement.
As part of his visit, Brig. Gen. Wagh toured several AFL facilities, including the Liberia Coast Guard Base, the Armed Forces Training Command (AFTC), Edward Binyah Kesselly Barracks, and the 14th Military Hospital.
At the AFTC, he addressed personnel attending the AFL Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and recognized six key contributors to the success of the State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Michigan National Guard (MING) and the AFL.
During his address, Brig. Gen. Wagh emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to enhance the AFL’s capacity, professionalism, and operational readiness.
He reaffirmed MING’s commitment to addressing these challenges, pledging to continue advocating for resources and training to empower the AFL and maintain Liberia’s security as a regional leader.
For his part, AFL’s Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Davidson F. Forleh expressed profound gratitude for Brig. Gen. Wagh’s ongoing support.
He praised Wagh’s mentorship during his tenure as Operations Officer and Brigade Advisor under Operation Onward Liberty from 2014 to 2015 and highlighted the lasting impact of his contributions.
“The AFL remains a ‘Force for Good,’ continually rising to greater heights,” Gen. Forleh stated, underscoring the transformative impact of the enduring partnership between the AFL and MING.
Despite these gains, Brig. Gen. Forleh outlined key challenges facing the AFL, including barracks congestion, recruitment gaps, inadequate equipment, and troop welfare concerns.
He requested additional support in areas such as mental health programs to strengthen the psychological resilience of AFL personnel and specialized training in medicine and engineering to enhance operational effectiveness.
The AFL Chief of Staff also highlighted the expansion of the SPP to include Sierra Leone, emphasizing its role in fostering stronger regional ties, adding that the partnership’s enhanced collaboration has strengthened military cooperation and readiness in West Africa.
