Armed Forces of Liberia’s soldiers are autonomous on rifle range

Photo By Cpl. Cullen Tiernan | A Liberian rifle range line coach instructs a soldiers from the Armed Forces of Liberia in order for him to complete his annual rifle qualifications on the range at at Edward Beyan Kesselly Barracks, April 1.  

MONROVIA, LIBERIA

04.01.2011

Story by Cpl. Cullen Tiernan 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

MONROVIA, Liberia - Under the mentorship of U.S. military forces, Liberian soldiers recently took command of daily operations at the Edward Binyah Kesselly rifle range here.

Operation ONWARD LIBERTY is a Department of State-funded, U.S. Africa Command-led program designed to provide uniformed advisors and mentors to the Armed Forces of Liberia. U.S. service members handing off training to the AFL and assuming a support and advisor role is a key goal of the program.

Bravo Company of the AFL’s 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Brigade was first to conduct annual rifle qualifications at EBK Barracks facility without U.S. service members acting as range personnel.

“I helped them set up the range, but now they operate on their own,” said U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Aaron Calderon, head range mentor with OOL. “They are highly motivated and eager to do the work on their own. All we have to do is keep them supplied, and they take care of the rest.”

Marines selected the AFL’s rifle range coaches based on discipline and marksmanship skills. After selection, the soldiers completed a coach’s course which teaches range conduct.

Calderon said the Liberian participation in the course was outstanding, and the AFL has been both safe and successful on the range since starting their range qualifications.

“I’m very proud to be a part of the team that is running the show on the range,” said Liberian Cpl. Joseph Fallah, rifle range non-commissioned officer-in-charge. “[I remember being a private as the soldiers who are qualifying today]. It means a lot that we are now holding the positions the Marines once did on the range.”

The OOL Marines recommended Fallah for Range NCO. He earned his position and a direct appointment from his Brigade Commander.

“We have learned the correct procedures, such as giving a safety brief and having an ambulance on hand, and now we ensure safety” Fallah stated. “My job is a sign that our Marine mentors are turning over their former roles to the AFL.”

Fallah is aware that the sooner the AFL can be a self-sufficient military force the better. He views their running of the range as a good sign of things to come.

“Our work with the AFL is establishing a stable force for good for the whole region,” said U.S. Marine Col. Robert Senini, the Officer-in-Charge of OOL. “You can see how volatile this region is with the [recent] conflict in Côte d'Ivoire [Ivory Coast]. The borders between countries in this region are very porous and people easily travel back and forth. [What] happens in each country is very important to [neighboring states].”

The AFL’s high state of readiness is also important for internal reasons. The Liberian general election is scheduled to be held on October 2011. The presidency, all the seats in the House of Representatives and half of the seats in the Senate, will be up for election.

“This is a critical time in Liberian history,” said Senini. “It was just in 2005 that they held their first elections after years of civil war. We want to ensure the AFL can deploy and are operationally ready as soon as possible, and their autonomy on the range is a sign that we are moving the mission to a higher level.”

At the end of a 14-year civil war in 2003, Liberia’s military was deactivated and demobilized. Operation ONWARD LIBERTY is aimed at assisting the Liberians build a military that is professional, apolitical, subordinate to civilian leadership, and respectful of human rights. U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa is the lead component executing OOL.

• Date Taken: 04.01.2011
• Date Posted: 04.13.2011 04:30
• Story ID: 68662
• Location: MONROVIA, LR