MONROVIA, Liberia - As part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, the Michigan National Guard sent Airmen and Soldiers to Liberia to participate in a military-to-military engagement with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
During a weeklong exchange, May 4-8, 2026, 1st Lt. Spencer Lawson and Master Sgt. Cameron McArthur, both assigned to the 110th Force Support Squadron at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Michigan, collaborated with AFL mortuary affairs personnel at the 14 Military Hospital in Liberia. The team exchanged ideas and discussed mortuary affairs capabilities, while working alongside partner forces to revise formal standard operating procedures.
“This was a great opportunity to learn from our partner, better understand their culture, and improve our interoperability,” Lawson said. “This type of engagement reinforces the importance of dignity, honor and respect for fallen service members of both nations.”
In addition, a two-person team consisting of a chaplain and chaplain assistant returned to Liberia to engage with the newly formed AFL Chaplain Corps. Col. Brian Martinus and Master Sgt. Chad Hollopeter, both from the Michigan Joint Forces Headquarters in Lansing, Michigan, conducted a subject matter expert exchange with Liberian chaplains.
Discussions focused on the role of chaplains in the event of a service member’s death, including casualty assistance, funeral preparation, military honors and the integration of chaplain support with mortuary affairs operations.
“As Liberian chaplains continue to develop their Chaplain Corps within the Armed Forces of Liberia, a structured exchange of ideas is critical to its successful establishment,” Martinus said. “The Michigan National Guard remains committed to supporting the AFL in achieving the three core tenets of chaplaincy: nurturing the living, caring for the wounded and honoring the dead.”
Capt. Andrew Layton, bilateral affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Liberia, emphasized the value of the engagement.
“The mortuary affairs specialists and the chaplain team complemented each other, creating a well-rounded engagement between the Michigan National Guard and the Armed Forces of Liberia,” Layton said. “This military-to-military exchange provided valuable insight to both forces and further strengthened our partnership.”
The Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program pairs U.S. states with partner nations to conduct cooperative, mutually beneficial engagements across military, security and civilian sectors. The program supports regional stability, enhances interoperability and builds enduring relationships between partner forces.