LANSING, Mich. - Citizen-Soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard departed for Fort Benning, Ga., on Jan. 5 before heading to Liberia for a 12-month tour of duty.
Soldiers from several Michigan Army National Guard units will deploy to Liberia, where they will be part of a traveling contact team responsible for teaching the Armed Forces of Liberia everything from drill and ceremony to basic infantry tactics.
Operation Observant Liberty is a joint service effort of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who will all participate in training the AFL.
The Michigan National Guard's involvement with the AFL is part of the State Partnership Program developed by the National Guard Bureau and the Department of Defense. When the Michigan National Guard provides trainers for these important missions, it contributes greatly to building enduring relationships and long-term international security, Michigan Guard officials said.
Liberia offers a distinct set of challenges.
The country has been torn apart by a 14-year-long civil war and in-fighting amongst the 16 indigenous tribes that inhabit the West African nation. A fragile peace was formed in 2006 when Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected as president.
The years of conflict left the country with more than 100,000 dead, a complete lack of reliable electricity, clean water or waste disposal and a large refugee population. The United Nations World Human Development Index ranks Liberia 174 out of 175 countries when it measures health and living conditions.