Editing Armed Forces of Liberia

{{Short description|Combined military forces of Liberia}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox national military
| country = Liberia
| image = USMC-100211-M-1273D-007.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = A Liberian color guard marches on Armed Forces Day in 2010.
| name = Armed Forces of Liberia
| founded = 1847 (Liberian militia)<br>1908 (Liberian Frontier Force)
| current_form = 2006
| branches = [[23rd Infantry Brigade (Liberia)|23rd Infantry Brigade]]<br>[[#Air Force|Air Wing]]<br>[[Liberian National Coast Guard|National Coast Guard]]
| motto = "Building a Force For Good" (unofficial)<ref>{{cite news | url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202201180167.html | title=Liberia: A Story of Success - the New Armed Forces of Liberia | newspaper=Frontpageafrica | date=January 18, 2022 | last1=Addison | first1=Abraham N. | access-date=December 21, 2022 | archive-date=December 21, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221015741/https://allafrica.com/stories/202201180167.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
| headquarters = [[Monrovia]]
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = [[President of Liberia|President]] [[Joseph Boakai]]
| commander-in-chief_title = Commander-in-Chief
| minister = [[Geraldine J. George]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=News Central Africa |date=14 February 2024 |title=Liberia Appoints Brig. Gen. Geraldine George First Female Defence Minister |url=https://newscentral.africa/liberia-appoints-brig-gen-geraldine-george-first-female-defence-minister/ |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=News Central Africa}}</ref>
| minister_title = [[Ministry of National Defense (Liberia)|Minister of National Defense]]
| commander = Brigadier General [[Davidson Fayiah Forleh]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Liberia: Boakai distingue le nouveau chef d'Etat-major, le Général Davidson Forleh |url=https://www.koaci.com/article/2024/03/26/liberia/societe/liberia-boakai-distingue-le-nouveau-chef-detat-major-le-general-davidson-forleh_176775.html |access-date=11 January 2025 |work=Koaci |date=26 March 2024 |language=fr}}</ref>
| commander_title = [[Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces (Liberia)|Chief of Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->| active = 2,100 (establishment)<br />1,800 or less (actual after desertions)
| ranked = 
| reserve = 
| deployed = <!-- Financial -->
| amount = [[United States dollar|US$]]12.9 million <small>([[Fiscal year|FY]] 2013–14)
</small>
| percent_GDP = 0.74%
<!-- Industrial -->| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related aricles -->
| history = 
| ranks = [[Military ranks of Liberia]]
| foreign_suppliers = [[United States]]
}}
The '''Armed Forces of Liberia''' ('''AFL''') are the armed forces of the [[Liberia|Republic of Liberia]]. Tracing its origins to a militia that was formed by the [[Americo-Liberian people|first black colonists]] in what is now Liberia, it was founded as the '''Liberian Frontier Force''' in 1908, and retitled in 1956. For almost all of its history, the AFL has received considerable materiel and training assistance from the United States. For most of the 1941–89 period, training was largely provided by U.S. advisers, though this assistance has not prevented the same generally low levels of effectiveness common to most of the armed forces in the [[developing world]].

For most of the [[Cold War]], the AFL saw little action, apart from a reinforced company group which was sent to [[ONUC]] in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] in the 1960s. This changed with the advent of the [[First Liberian Civil War]] in 1989. The AFL became entangled in the conflict, which lasted from 1989 to 1996–97, and then the [[Second Liberian Civil War]], which lasted from 1999 to 2003.

As of 2014, the AFL consists of an [[23rd Infantry Brigade (Liberia)|infantry brigade]], an air wing, and the [[Liberian National Coast Guard|coast guard]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberianembassyus.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=123&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01detailtemplate=newsdetail&cntnt01returnid=69|title=Embassy of Liberia – News|website=www.liberianembassyus.org|language=en|access-date=2017-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030618/http://www.liberianembassyus.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=123&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01detailtemplate=newsdetail&cntnt01returnid=69|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> For several years after the war, a Nigerian Army officer served as head of the armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gnnliberia.com/2016/08/20/nigeria-agrees-resume-training-liberian-army/|title=Nigeria Agrees To Resume Training Liberian Army (DDeazi Lakpor)-|last=Brooks|first=Cholo|date=2016-08-20|access-date=2017-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207031558/http://gnnliberia.com/2016/08/20/nigeria-agrees-resume-training-liberian-army/|archive-date=February 7, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

11 February is [[Armed Forces Day]], having been proclaimed in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Friday is Armed Forces Day; to be observed as a National Holiday |url=https://www.mofa.gov.lr/public2/2press.php?news_id=320&related=7&pg=sp |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=www.mofa.gov.lr |archive-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709002005/https://mofa.gov.lr/public2/2press.php?news_id=320&related=7&pg=sp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Legal standing==
The New National Defense Act of 2008 was approved on August 21, 2008. It repeals the National Defense Act of 1956, the Coast Guard Act of 1959, and the Liberian Navy Act of 1986. The duties and functions of the AFL are officially stated as follows:<ref name="DA08">{{cite web|url=http://www.vertic.org/media/National%20Legislation/Liberia/LR_Defense%20Act%20of%202008.pdf|title=Liberian Congress, New National Defense Act of 2008, approved August 21, 2008. Published by authority Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monrovia, Liberia|date=September 3, 2008|access-date=20 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044027/http://www.vertic.org/media/National%20Legislation/Liberia/LR_Defense%20Act%20of%202008.pdf|archive-date=December 1, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* Section 2.3(a): The primary mission of the AFL shall be to defend the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Liberia, including land, air and maritime territory, against external aggressions, insurgency, terrorism and encroachment. In addition thereto the AFL shall respond to natural disasters and engage in other civic works as may be required or directed.
* Section 2.3(b): The AFL shall also participate in international peacekeeping peace enforcement and other by the UN, the [[African Union|AU]], [[Economic Community of West African States|ECOWAS]], [[Mano River Union|MRU]], and/or all international institutions of which Liberia may be a member. All such activities shall be undertaken only upon authorization of the President of Liberia with the consent of the Legislature.
* Section 2.3(c): The AFL shall provide command, communications, logistical, medical, transportation, and humanitarian support to the civil authority in the event of a natural or man-made disaster, outbreak of disease, or epidemic. Such assistance shall be authorized by the President of Liberia.
* Section 2.3(d): The AFL shall assist civil authorities in search, rescue, and saving of life on land, sea, or air; such assistance shall be authorized by the President for immediate response by specialized search and rescue units in conjunction with other Government Ministries and Agencies.
* Section 2.3(e): The duties of the AFL in peacetime shall include support to the national law enforcement agencies when such support is requested and approved by the President. Such support shall include exchange of information, personnel training, and mobilization and deployment of security contingents. At no time during peacetime however, shall the AFL engage in law enforcement within Liberia, such function being the prerogative of the Liberia National Police and other law enforcement agencies. Notwithstanding, the Military Police of the AFL may, on request of the Ministry of Justice made to the Ministry of National Defense, and approved by the President of Liberia,  provide assistance to these law enforcement agencies as determined by prevailing situations. The AFL shall intervene only as a last resort, when the threat exceeds the capability of the law enforcement agencies to respond.
* Section 2.5: Standards of Conduct for the Armed Forces of Liberia: Members of the AFL shall perform their duties at all times in accordance with democratic values and human rights. They shall perform their duties in a non-partisan manner, obey all lawful orders and commands from their superior officers in ways that command citizen respect and confidence and contribute towards the maintenance and promotion of the respect for the rule of law.

==History==
[[File:Luncheon for Liberian president's party.jpg|thumb|alt=A number of business-suited and uniformed men sit facing the camera along a table|Chief of the Liberian Frontier Force, Captain Alford Russ (seated far right) sits alongside members of President Barclay's party during the Liberian President's visit to Washington DC in 1943.]]

The modern Armed Forces of Liberia grew out of a [[militia]] that was formed by the first black colonists from the United States. The militia was first formed when in August 1822 an attack was feared on [[Cape Mesurado]] (where [[Monrovia]] now is) and the agent of the settlements directed the mobilization of all "able-bodied males into a militia and declared martial law."{{sfn|Sawyer|1992|p=79}} By 1846, the size of the militia had grown to two regiments.{{sfn|Sawyer|1992|p=79–80}} Following independence in 1847, the militia continued to serve as the country's defense force Following the model of the United States Army . In 1900, Liberian men between the ages of sixteen and fifty were considered liable for service in the militia. The militia also had a navy consisting of two small gunboats.<ref>Keltie, J.S., ed. ''The Statesman's Year Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1900''. New York: MacMillan, 1900. p 794. (Retrieved via Google Books March 3, 2011.)</ref> In the 1850s, the Liberian president requested naval support from the British government to transport Liberian troops to the [[Gallinas, Liberia|Gallinas]] territory to punish Liberians there who persisted in slave trafficking.<ref name="Commons1859">{{cite book|author=Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons|title=Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9KtbAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA225|year=1859|publisher=Ordered to be printed|pages=225–|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114015513/https://books.google.com/books?id=9KtbAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA225|archive-date=November 14, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

On February 6, 1908, the militia was established on a permanent basis as the 500-strong Liberian Frontier Force (LFF). The LFF's original mission was "to patrol the border in the Hinterland [against British and French territorial ambitions] and to prevent disorders."<ref>{{cite book |last=Aboagye and Rupiya|year=2005 |title=Institute for Security Studies|location=Pretoria |page=258}}</ref> The LFF was initially placed under the command of British Major [[MacKay Cadell]], who was quickly replaced under threat of arms after he complained the Force was not being properly paid.<ref>See Timothy D. Nevin, "The Uncontrollable Force: A Brief History of the Liberian Frontier Force, 1908-1944, ''The International Journal of African Historical Studies'', Vol. 44, No. 2, 2011, 280-281, and http://newliberian.com/?p=137 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816072250/http://newliberian.com/?p=137 |date=August 16, 2016}} for the Cadell affair.</ref>

In 1912, the United States established military ties with Liberia by sending some five black American officers to help reorganize the force.<ref name="Harrison Akingbade 1985, p.25">Harrison Akingbade, "U.S. Liberian relations during World War II," Phylon, Vol. XLVI, No.1, 1985, p.25</ref> The LFF in its early years was frequently recruited by inducing men from the interior forcibly. When dispatched to the interior to quell tribal unrest, units often lived off the areas that they were pacifying, as a form of communal punishment. The Force's officers were drawn from either the coastal aristocracy or tribal elites.<ref name="Harrison Akingbade 1985, p.25"/>
{{sfn|Keegan|1979|page=435}}

===World Wars===
{{see also|Liberia in World War I|Liberia in World War II}}
Liberia joined the Allies in both [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. The only troops dispatched overseas were a few individuals to France during World War I,{{sfn|Nelson|1984|p=261}} and reported volunteers under U.S. command in World War II, but none served in combat in either war. A law of 20 February 1940 stipulated that the armed forces of the Republic "shall consist ..of the Frontier Force, of twelve companies ..the Militia, ..and the Militia Reserve."<ref>Chapter XIX, An Act Relating to the Military Service of the Republic, approved February 20, 1940, Chapter I, Section 2.</ref> During World War II, U.S. involvement in the country increased greatly. A steady supply of rubber from the world's largest rubber plantation, operated at Harbel by the Firestone Company since 1926 was vital. Thus the US government built roads, created an international airport (known as [[Robertsfield]]), and transformed the capital by building a deep water port (the [[Freeport of Monrovia]]). Black ("Colored") [[United States Army]] troops arrived from June 1942. During the war, funding provided by the United States allowed an increase in the Frontier Force's strength to around 1,500.{{sfn|Keegan|1979|page=435}}<ref>Harrison Akingbade's article in ''Phylon.''</ref> The armed forces came to rely almost exclusively on American assistance in terms of training, with non-US training "tend[ing] to be brief and uninspired [with little] accomplished other than some desultory close-order drill."{{sfn|Roberts|1964|p=392-3}}

As a result of American arms sales, by the 1920s Liberian forces were equipped with the American [[Krag rifle|Krag]] and [[Peabody rifle|Peabody]] rifles, as well as German [[Mauser rifle|Mausers]].<ref name="KappelKorte1986">{{cite book|author1=Robert Kappel|author2=Werner Korte|author3=R. Friedegund Mascher|title=Liberia: Underdevelopment and Political Rule in a Peripheral Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xiKNAAAAMAAJ|year=1986|publisher=Institut für Afrika-Kunde|isbn=978-3-923519-65-1|page=134|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512142118/https://books.google.com/books?id=xiKNAAAAMAAJ|archive-date=May 12, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

U.S. Army Forces in Liberia commanded by Brigadier General Percy Lee Sadler also established an [[officer candidate school]] during the later part of World War II, using instructors selected from the American troops in the country. The school conducted two courses and graduated nearly 300 new officers. Just under twenty years later in 1964, the group still made up over 50% of the officer corps of the AFL.{{sfn|Roberts|1964|p=392-3}}

===1945–1980===
[[File:ASC Leiden - F. van der Kraaij Collection - 28 - 34 - The Liberian National Guard - Monrovia, Liberia - Inauguration Day, 5 January 1976.tif|thumb|right|Members of the Liberian National Guard at the inauguration of President [[William Tolbert]] in 1976]]
From 1945 to 1964, the officers appointed were nearly all college graduates.{{sfn|Roberts|1964|p=389-90}} From 1951, there was a US military mission based in Liberia to assist in training the AFL. A Reserve Officers' Training Corps was established in 1956 with units at the [[University of Liberia]] in Monrovia and the [[Booker Washington Institute]] in [[Kakata]]. By 1978 the program had been redesignated the Army Student Training Program (ASTP) and had a total of 46 students at the [[University of Liberia]], the [[Booker Washington Institute]], and three smaller institutions.<ref>1978 Annual Report, p.7</ref> However it was not until the late 1960s that the [[Tubman Military Academy]] was established in [[Todee District]], upper [[Montserrado County]], as an officer training facility.{{sfn|Roberts|1964|p=389-90}}

The LFF was renamed as the Armed Forces of Liberia under the Amended National Defense Law of 1956,<ref name=Samukai2004>Brownie J. Samukai, [http://www.theperspective.org/2004/feb/afl.html Armed Forces Of Liberia: Reality Check For A New Military With A Redefined Constitutional Mission] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814053653/http://www.theperspective.org/2004/feb/afl.html |date=August 14, 2007 }}, February 17, 2004. Retrieved August 2010</ref> though other sources say February 1962,<ref>{{cite web |author=NewLiberian.com |title=Brief History of the Armed Forces Of Liberia |url=http://newliberian.com/?p=137 |access-date=August 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714173006/http://newliberian.com/?p=137 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |url-status=usurped |df=mdy-all }}</ref> which appears to have been the date the land force became the Liberian National Guard.{{sfn|Roberts|1964|p=387}} Liebenow says that the LFF was 'restyled the National Guard in 1962.'<ref>Gus Liebenow, in ''Liberia: The Evolution of Privilege''  (p.109). Other source says February 1962.</ref> From this period, Liberia's armed forces consisted of the Liberian National Guard, the Liberian Militia, whose ostensible structure is depicted below, and the Liberian Coast Guard. Until 1980, by law every able-bodied male between the ages of 16 and 45 years was to serve in the militia, though this stipulation was not enforced.{{sfn|Nelson|1984|p=269}}

On January 26, 1957, the Liberian Legislature set aside Feb 11, 1957, as Armed Forces Day.<ref name=Saywah2012>C. Winnie Saywah, [http://theinquirer.com.lr/content1.php?main=news&news_id=197 Espicopal Bishop Urges AFL Soldiers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100342/http://theinquirer.com.lr/content1.php?main=news&news_id=197 |date=March 4, 2016 }}. theinquirer.com.lr. Tuesday, February 7, 2012.</ref> Speaking in 2012, Jonathan B. B. Hart, the Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Liberia recalled that "..the Sierra Leoneans were sent to Liberia to take over the army by the British government because it had given Liberia a loan." .. "The Sierra Leonean commanders took orders from the British government and not the President of Liberia, then Arthur Barclay. When they began to misbehave, the army was turned over to a Liberian who refused. It was during that time that some soldiers took to the streets in demand of salary arrears, so soldiers getting in the streets.. in demand of salary is not new."<ref name=Saywah2012 /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberianobserver.com/news/armed-forces-day-activities-released|title=Armed Forces Day Activities Released {{!}} The Liberian Observer|website=www.liberianobserver.com|language=en|access-date=2017-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207031648/http://www.liberianobserver.com/news/armed-forces-day-activities-released|archive-date=February 7, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

At the start of the 1960s, Liberia dispatched troops, including a movement control unit, to support [[ONUC]] during the [[Congo Crisis]], and were airlifted into the Congo by the United States Air Force.<ref>{{cite book|title=Aviation Week and Space Technology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K_w9AQAAIAAJ|year=1960|publisher=McGraw-Hill|page=33}}</ref> The Liberian troops were initially in [[Équateur (former province)|Équateur province]].<ref name="BermanSams2000">{{cite book|author1=Eric Berman|author2=Katie E. Sams|author3=Institute for Security Studies (South Africa)|title=Peacekeeping in Africa: Capabilities and Culpabilities|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=13tjpajo6-cC&pg=PA240|year=2000|publisher=United Nations Publications UNIDIR|isbn=978-92-9045-133-4|pages=240–|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627115951/https://books.google.com/books?id=13tjpajo6-cC&pg=PA240|archive-date=June 27, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Abbott2014">{{cite book|author=Peter Abbott|title=Modern African Wars (4): The Congo 1960–2002|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sZCEAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA11|date=20 February 2014|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-78200-076-1|pages=11–12}}</ref><ref>Annex O: Location and Strength of UN Units in the Congo: September 1960, in Lefever, Ernest W., and Wynfred Joshua. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20220208060109/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD0711936 United Nations Peacekeeping in the Congo: 1960-1964: Appendices. Vol. 3.]}} Prepared for the [[Arms Control and Disarmament Agency]] by the Brookings Institution, June 30, 1966.</ref> In 1961, during their first combat action in the country, 300 Liberian troops repelled an attack by 5,000 [[Baluba]] tribesmen and their European officers.<ref>{{cite book|title=The West African Review|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qxFXAAAAMAAJ|year=1961|publisher=West African review, Limited|page=57}}</ref>

The National Guard was not a high status force: "It was a skeleton brigade of soldiers who were predominantly from the lower economic and social stratum of society. They were poorly paid, and had less than decent facilities for accommodation and care."<ref name=Samukai2004 /> Despite this, a Liberian company, designated the Reinforced Security Company, was contributed to the [[United Nations Operation in the Congo]] in the early 1960s. Six rotations were made. The 1964 US Army Area Handbook described the company's actions as "...After a poor start, the performance of the contingent improved steadily; the last company, which returned home in May 1963, had performed creditably and, by its conduct and appearance, gave the impression of being a well-trained and disciplined military organization."{{sfn|Roberts|1964|p=394}}

Liebenow writes that the head of the National Guard was arrested, along with others, in February 1963, to forestall an alleged coup, and that Tubman had announced that following the labour strikes of 1966, a foreign power had attempted to bribe army officers to stage a coup.<ref>Liebenow, Liberia: The Evolution of Privilege, 1969, 110.</ref> In addition, Albert T. White, Commanding Officer of the LNG, was 'rusticated' by Tubman to become the Superintendent of [[Grand Gedeh County]] in 1966, though he was later 'rehabilitated'.{{sfn|Lowenkopf|1976|p=179}}

In 1964 the US Army Area Handbook described the National Guard as 3,000 strong with a headquarters company, the Executive Mansion Guard Battalion in Monrovia, three infantry battalions and one engineer battalion (which was newly formed at Camp Naama in 1962 and only had one company organized).<ref>Roberts et al. 1964, p.394. See also [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], The Armed Forces of African States, 1967 and 1970, Adelphi Papers 27 and 67, pages 11 and 22 respectively.</ref> The three infantry battalions were the 1st Infantry Battalion, at Camp Schiefflin, situated on the airport road between [[Monrovia]] and [[Roberts International Airport]], the 2nd Infantry Battalion, HQ at Barclay Training Center (BTC), Monrovia, and the 3rd Infantry Battalion, HQ at Baworobo, [[Maryland County]].<ref>Baworobo appears to be in [[Barrobo District]], [[Maryland County]].</ref>

By 1978, the LNG Brigade had been established and the brigade was described as comprising a [[Headquarters and Headquarters Company]] at the Barclay Training Center, Monrovia, the Executive Mansion Guard Battalion on Capitol Hill, Monrovia, the Engineer Battalion and the First Field Artillery Battalion (both at Camp Jackson, Naama) two tactical combat battalions (the First Infantry Battalion, at Schiefflin and the Second Infantry Battalion which in the intervening period had moved from the BTC to Camp Tolbert, Todee) and three non-tactical battalions, tasked with providing guard services to government officials, tax collection, and 'other non-military duties'.<ref name=AR10-13>{{cite book |title=Annual Report of the Ministry of National Defense to the Fourth Session of the Forty-Eighth Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, Year Ending December 31, 1978|publisher=Government of Liberia|location=Monrovia|pages=10–13}}, Accessed at [[New York Public Library]], October 2007</ref>

The Third Infantry Battalion covered Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, and [[Grand Bassa County|Grand Bassa]] counties from BTC. The Fourth Infantry Battalion covered [[Grand Gedeh County|Grand Gedeh]], [[Sinoe County|Sinoe]] and [[Maryland County, Liberia|Maryland]] counties from Camp Whisnant, [[Zwedru]]. The Fifth Infantry Battalion was at [[Gbarnga]].<ref name=AR10-13 />

Other field units of the brigade were the Armoured Unit, at Camp Ram Rod, Paynesward City (possibly [[Paynesville, Liberia|Paynesville]]), [[Monrovia]], and the Bella Yella Special Detachment, Camp Bella Yella, [[Lofa County|Lofa]]. Bella Yella was of course the location of the feared [[Bella Yella prison]].<ref>{{cite journal|author=Timothy D. L. Nevin|title=Liberia's Belle Yella Prison Camp (1910–1990): Repression, Stigma, and Forced Labor in the Heart of the Rainforest |journal=Journal of West African History|volume=6|number=1|date=Spring 2020|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/756145}}</ref> The Service Support Battalion was located at BTC, and comprised the Medical Company, the Brigade Band, the Brigade Special Unit (a parade unit) and the Military Police Unit. Also at BTC was the Logistical Command, consisting of a depot, arsenal (whose location had been declared unsafe), the AFL Quartermaster Corps, and the AFL Transportation Company. Strength was reported to be 4,822 in 1978.<ref name=AR10-13 />
{{Quote box
 | quote  = '''The Liberian Militia'''<br />Organization of the Liberian Militia, according to the National Defense Law 1956<ref>{{cite web |author=Thomas Jaye (compiler) |title=National Defense Law 1956, § 70-A. Composition of the Armed Forces, via Liberia's Security Sector Legislation |url=http://www.dcaf.ch/publications/kms/details.cfm?ord279=title&q279=liberia&lng=en&id=55506&nav1=5 |publisher=Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces |location=Geneva |page=66 |date=February 2008 |access-date=14 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004214527/http://www.dcaf.ch/publications/kms/details.cfm?ord279=title&q279=liberia&lng=en&id=55506&nav1=5 |archive-date=October 4, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} Another reference to the 9th Regiment AFL is at Liberian Observer, [http://www.liberianobserver.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/3755/Former_AFL_Colonel,_District_Commissioner,_Knight_Official_Remembered.html Former AFL Colonel Remembered] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404043112/http://www.liberianobserver.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/3755/Former_AFL_Colonel,_District_Commissioner,_Knight_Official_Remembered.html |date=April 4, 2008 }}</ref>

Two Divisional Headquarters
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
* First Brigade
** First Regiment
** Fifth Regiment
** Sixth Regiment
** Tenth Regiment
* Third Brigade
** Fourth Regiment
** Eighth Regiment
** Ninth Regiment
** Fifteenth Regiment
** Sixth Regiment
{{col-2}}
* Second Brigade
** Second Regiment
** Third Regiment
** Eleventh Regiment
** Fourteenth Regiment
* Fourth Brigade
** Seventh Regiment
** Thirteenth Regiment
** Sixteenth Regiment
** Seventeenth Regiment
{{col-end}}
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While militia service was compulsory by law for all eligible males, the law was only enforced in a lax manner. From the mid-1960s, and in its later years, members of the militia met only quarterly for sparsely attended drill practice. Estimates of men enrolled over the years vary. The 1964 US Army Area Handbook said that "some 20,000 men are estimated to be enrolled."{{sfn|Roberts|1964|p=395}} The IISS estimated militia numbers at 5,000 in 1967 and 6,000 in 1970.<ref>IISS, Adelphi Papers 27 and 67, op. cit.</ref>

By the early 1970s the militia reported a strength of some 4,000 poorly trained and ill-equipped men.  The 1978 Annual Report of the Liberian Ministry of National Defense said that "The various militia regiments, in accordance with the law, held quarterly parades. ...Furthermore, the entire Regiments were out in full strength during burial occasions."<ref>{{cite book |title=Annual Report of the Ministry of National Defense to the Fourth Session of the Forty-Eighth Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, Year Ending December 31, 1978|publisher=Government of Liberia|location=Monrovia|page=21}}</ref> By the time it was disbanded in 1980, the militia was considered to be completely ineffective as a military force.{{sfn|Nelson|1984|p=269}}

The armed forces' third arm, the Liberian National Coast Guard, was established in 1959.{{sfn|Nelson|1984|p=274}} Throughout the Tubman period the coastguard was little more than a few sometimes unserviceable patrol craft manned by ill-trained personnel, though its training improved in the 1980s to the point where it was considered the best trained of the armed services.{{sfn|Nelson|1984|p=274}}

From 1952 onwards, Chiefs of Staff of the AFL included Major General Alexander Harper (1952–54), Lieutenant General Abraham Jackson (1954–60), Albert T. White (1964–65), Lieutenant General [[George T. Washington (Liberia)|George T. Washington]] (late 1960s), Lieutenant General Henry Johnson (1970–74), Lieutenant General Franklin Smith, and Lieutenant General Henry Dubar (1980–1990).<ref name=AFT63>[[Ministry of National Defense (Liberia)]], ''Armed Forces Today,'' Vol. 2, No.1, February 11, 2008, p.63</ref>

When [[William Tolbert]] replaced the long-serving [[William Tubman]] as president in 1971, he retired more than 400 aging soldiers.{{sfn|Sawyer|1992|p=287}}<ref>Sawyer 1982 p287 draws on Martin Lowenkopf, Politics in Liberia: The Conservative Road to Development, 1976.</ref> Sawyer comments that "retired soldiers were replaced by young recruits from urban areas, many of whom were then poorly trained at the Tubman Military Academy. This development dramatically changed the character of the military in Liberia." ([[Samuel Doe]] was among this group.) [[Amos Sawyer]] also comments that "recruitment of such individuals for the military was part of Tolbert's efforts to replace aging, illiterate soldiers with younger, literate men who were capable of absorbing technical and professional training."{{sfn|Sawyer|1992|p=375}}

===Doe regime (1980–1990)===
[[File:Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger - Samuel K. Doe.jpg|thumb|alt=President Samuel Doe walks with U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger during a visit to Washington DC in 1982|President [[Samuel Doe]] with United States Secretary of Defense [[Caspar Weinberger]] during a visit to Washington DC in 1982]]

The AFL became involved in politics when seventeen soldiers launched a coup on April 12, 1980. The group was made up of [[Master Sergeant]] [[Samuel Doe]], two [[staff sergeant]]s, four [[sergeants]], eight [[corporal]]s, and two [[Private (rank)|privates]].{{sfn|Adebajo|2002|p=24}} They found President Tolbert sleeping in his office in the Executive Mansion and there they killed him. While then-Sergeant [[Thomas Quiwonkpa]] led the plotters, it was the group led by Samuel Doe that found Tolbert in his office, and it was Doe, as the highest ranking of the group, who went on the radio the next day to announce the overthrow of the long-entrenched [[True Whig Party]] government.{{sfn|Ellis|2001|p=53}}

Doe became Head of State and co-chair of the new [[People's Redemption Council]] government. Quiwonkpa became commander of the army and the other co-chair of the PRC. (In the aftermath of the coup, the title of LNG Brigade commanding general was confusingly changed to commanding general of the AFL, reporting to the chief of staff, and it was this position that Quiwonkpa inherited.){{sfn|Ellis|2001||p=56}} Henry Dubar (who had helped recruit Doe personally years before) was promoted in one leap from captain to lieutenant general as chief of staff. From 1980 onward, Doe's systematic promotion of ethnic [[Krahn]] to sensitive posts in the government and military, began to drive deepening divisions within the AFL, among others with Quiwonkpa's [[Gio Tribe|Gio tribe]], and to hamper morale.{{sfn|Ellis|2001||p=56}}

<blockquote>"... Military discipline was an early casualty of the coup. The revolt had been an enlisted men's affair, and one of the first instructions broadcast over the radio had ordered soldiers not to obey their officers. Over four years later, according to observers, the reluctance of most officers to impose discipline had combined with the unwillingness of more than a few enlisted men to accept it."{{sfn|Nelson|1984|p=271}}</blockquote>

The launch of Doe's coup meant that Major William Jarbo, another soldier with political ambitions who was said to have excellent connections to U.S. security officials, had his takeover plans forestalled. He tried to escape abroad but was hunted down and killed by the new government.{{sfn|Ellis|2001||p=53}} The junta started to split in 1983, with Doe telling Quiwonkpa that he was planning to move Quiwonkpa from command of the army to a position as secretary-general of the [[People's Redemption Council]]. Unhappy with this proposed change, Quiwonkpa fled into exile in late 1983, along with his [[aide-de-camp]] [[Prince Johnson]].{{sfn|Ellis|2001||p=57–58}}
In 1984 the AFL included the Liberian National Guard (LNG) Brigade and related units (6,300 men), and the Liberian National Coast Guard (about 450 men).  The brigade, formed between 1964 and 1978, was based at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) in [[Monrovia]], and was composed of six [[infantry]] [[battalion]]s, a [[military engineer]] battalion (which circa 1974 under the command of Colonel Robert M. Blamo completed an airstrip at Belefania Town),<ref>'Looking at the LNG Brigade,' Armed Forces Day Brochure, 1973–74, [[Ministry of National Defense (Liberia)]], via [[University of Liberia]] Library</ref> a [[field artillery]] battalion (the First Field Artillery Battalion, reportedly at Camp Naama in [[Bong County]]) and a support battalion.{{sfn|Nelson|1984|p=270-272}}

Three of the infantry units—the First Infantry Battalion, stationed at Camp Schieffelin, the Second Infantry Battalion at Camp Todee in northern [[Montserrado County]], and the Sixth Infantry Battalion at [[Bomi Hills]]—were tactical elements designed to operate against hostile forces. The other battalions, the Third Infantry Battalion based at the Barclay Training Centre in Monrovia, the Fourth Infantry Battalion at [[Zwedru]] in [[Grand Gedeh County]], and the Fifth Infantry Battalion at [[Gbarnga]] in [[Bong County]] served mostly as providers of personnel for non-military duties. Soldiers in these units were used extensively as policemen, customs and immigration officials, and as tax collectors.{{sfn|Nelson|1984|p=270-272}}

===Attempted coup (1985)===
In the aftermath of the rigged elections of 1985, which Doe manipulated to solidify his power, Quiwonkpa returned from his U.S. exile to enter Liberia from Sierra Leone. On November 12, 1985, he entered Monrovia with a group of dissident soldiers, took over the national [[Liberia Broadcasting System]] radio station and announced that the 'National Patriotic Forces of Liberia' had seized power.{{sfn|Ellis|2001|p=59–60}} Adekeye says that Quiwonkpa erred in 'fail[ing] to establish control over the country's communications system and resisted a frontal attack on the Executive Mansion.'{{sfn|Adebajo|2002|p=29}}

These mistakes allowed Doe the time to rally the Krahn-dominated Executive Mansion Guard and 1st Infantry Battalion from Camp [[Schieffelin]] to reestablish control. Quiwonkpa was captured, killed, and mutilated, his body being dismembered and parts eaten. In the aftermath of the attempted coup, purges took place in Monrovia and in [[Nimba County]], Quiwonkpa's home, against those who had rejoiced after the coup announcement. As many as 1,500 people may have been killed. The AFL was purged of Gio soldiers.

Under Samuel Doe the Coast Guard was retitled the Liberian Navy in 1986 through the passage of The Liberian Navy Act of 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200808260769.html|title=Liberia: Ellen Signs Anti-Corruption Act, Commissions Several Officials|date=August 26, 2008|access-date=January 7, 2018|via=AllAfrica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007011005/http://allafrica.com/stories/200808260769.html|archive-date=October 7, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Aviation Unit was founded in 1970 with the delivery of three Cessna U-17C light aircraft. An Aviation Unit aircraft crashed at Spriggs-Payne in 1984.<ref>Liberian Observer, [http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/8299 Eviction Hangs Over 2,000 Wroto Town Dwellers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914173235/http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/8299 |date=September 14, 2010 }}, September 11, 2010</ref> In 1985 it operated three fixed-wing aircraft from [[Spriggs Payne Airport]] in Monrovia, including [[Cessna 172]]s.<ref>Andrade, John (1982). Militair 1982. London: Aviation Press Limited. {{ISBN|0-907898-01-7}}, p.147</ref> Their duties included reconnaissance and transport of light cargo and VIPs.{{sfn|Nelson|1984|p=272}} The Aviation Unit was expanded in the 1980s with the delivery of more Cessna aircraft: three 172s, a 206, 207 and two single engined turboprop 208s.

The Liberian Air Force was established from the Aviation Unit by an Act of Legislature on August 12, 1987.<ref name="2007_Budget">2006/2007 Budget, Republic of Liberia. Retrieved December 2008 – January 2009. (The link, which now does not work, was at http://www.mofliberia.org/budget0607.xls {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710063849/http://www.mofliberia.org/budget0607.xls |date=July 10, 2007 }}.)</ref>  Its statutory responsibilities were to: protect and defend the air space of the Republic of Liberia; protect lives and properties; provide air mobility for military and civil personnel; assist in search and rescue operations; undertake emergency operations; conduct reconnaissance patrols; participate in joint military operations and perform other duties as may be designated by the Ministry of Defense.<ref name="2007_Budget"/> The LAF was to be headed by a colonel in his capacity as Assistant Chief of Defense Staff for the Air Force and was mandated to do the following: to train personnel and develop doctrine; advise the Chief of Staff of the AFL on matters relating to the Air Force.<ref name="2007_Budget"/>
In 1989 two refurbished [[DHC-4 Caribou]], a single [[Piper Aztec]] light twin and three [[IAI Arava]] STOL twins were delivered.

===First Liberian Civil War (1989–1997)===
[[Charles Taylor (Liberia)|Charles Taylor]] invaded the country at Butuo in [[Nimba County]] on Christmas Eve 1989 with a force of around 150 men, initiating the [[First Liberian Civil War]]. Doe responded by sending two AFL battalions to Nimba in December 1989 – January 1990,<ref>Charles Hartung, 'Peacekeeping in Liberia: ECOMOG and the Struggle for Order,' Liberian Studies Journal, Volume XXX, No.2, 2005</ref> under then-Colonel [[Hezekiah Bowen]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Liberian Civil War|last=Hubard|first=Mark|pages=115, 118–119}} Then Lieutenant General Hezekiah Bowen was later mentioned in the Abuja Accords of 1996.</ref> The Liberian government forces assumed that most of the Mano and Gio peoples in the Nimba region were supporting the rebels.  They thus acted in a very brutal and scorched-earth fashion which quickly alienated the local people. Taylor's support rose rapidly, as the Mano and Gio flocked to his [[National Patriotic Front of Liberia]] seeking revenge. Many government soldiers deserted, some to join the NPFL. The inability of the AFL to make any headway was one of the reasons why Doe changed his field commander in the area five times in the first six months of the war.<ref>Stephen Ellis, ''The Mask of Anarchy,'' Hurst and Company, London, 2001, 78.</ref>

Field commanders apparently included Brigadier General Edward Smith.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-03-22 |title=The Daily Maverick :: Photojournalist Gregory Stemn on living and documenting the war in Liberia |url=http://www.thedailymaverick.co.za/article/2011-03-08-photojournalist-gregory-stemn-on-living-and-documenting-the-war-in-liberia |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=The Daily Maverick|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322032807/http://www.thedailymaverick.co.za/article/2011-03-08-photojournalist-gregory-stemn-on-living-and-documenting-the-war-in-liberia |archive-date=March 22, 2011 }}</ref> By May 1990 the AFL had been forced back to [[Gbarnga]], still under the control of Bowen's troops, but they lost the town to a NPFL assault by the end of May 1990, at which time the NPFL also captured [[Buchanan, Liberia|Buchanan]] on the coast.<ref>Adebajo, 2002, p.58. See also Hubard, pp.118–125.</ref> The NPFL had now gathered an estimated 10,000 fighters while the AFL, splintering, could only summon 2,000.<ref>Adebajo, 2002, p.58</ref>

The revolt reached Monrovia by July 1990, and General Dubar left the country for exile in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|first=Y Clifford|last=Krauss|title=Rebel forces in Liberia surround the capital and begin an attack|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/03/world/rebel-forces-in-liberia-surround-the-capital-and-begin-an-attack.html|work=The New York Times|location=New York, NY|date=July 3, 1990|access-date=2010-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080756/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/03/world/rebel-forces-in-liberia-surround-the-capital-and-begin-an-attack.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In place of Dubar, Brigadier General Charles Julu, former commander of the Executive Mansion Guard Battalion, was appointed Chief of Staff. Two Liberian Coast Guard vessels were sunk in the battles for the city.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-20-mn-389-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Liberian Rebels Tighten Grip on North of Monrovia | first=Jack | last=Smith | date=20 July 1990 | access-date=2010-05-02 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018115548/http://articles.latimes.com/1990-07-20/news/mn-389_1_liberian-rebels | archive-date=October 18, 2012 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> The NPFL had been distributing weapons to Gio civilians after it arrived in Nimba, where many were very interested in taking their revenge on the government after Doe had punished Nimba country for its support of Quiwonkpa in 1983 and 1985.{{sfn|Ellis|2001|p=78}}

By July 1990 the government began to distribute weapons to civilians in turn, to Krahn and Mandingo who wished to protect themselves. These hastily enlisted civilians became known as '1990 soldiers.' A '1990 soldier' which the President had personally picked, Tailey Yonbu, led a massacre of refugees, mostly Gio and Mano civilians, on the night of July 29/30, 1990 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in [[Sinkor]], Monrovia. Some 600 were killed.{{sfn|Ellis|2001|p=80}} Because of the previous ethnic purges carried out by Doe's forces, the conflict took on characteristics of an ethnic pogrom.{{sfn|Ellis|2001|p=78}}

In August 1990 the [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS) dispatched a peacekeeping force, [[ECOMOG]], to Liberia. The force arrived at the Freeport of Monrovia on August 24, 1990, landing from Nigerian and Ghanaian vessels. By the time ECOMOG arrived, Prince Johnson's INPFL and Taylor's NPFL were fighting on the outside bounds of the port.<ref>Adebajo, 2002, p.75</ref> A series of peacemaking conferences in regional capitals followed. There were meetings in Bamako in November 1990, Lome in January 1991, and Yamoussoukro in June–October 1991. The first seven peace conferences, including the Yamoussoukro I-IV processes and the Carter Center negotiation leading to the Cotonou Accords, failed due to lack of agreement between the warring factions. The NPFL launched an assault on Monrovia in 1992, which they named 'Operation Octopus.' The civil war lasted until the Abuja Accords of August 1996.

The AFL was confined to an enclave around the capital during the conflict, and did not play a significant part in the fighting. Elections in July 1997 finally brought Taylor to power. Under the accords, which led to a break in fighting in 1996 and the [[Liberian general election, 1997]], [[ECOMOG]] was to retrain a new national army based on fair ethnic and geographical representation.<ref name="globalsecurity.org">See also IRIN, [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2006/01/mil-060104-irin04.htm LIBERIA: Soldiers refuse to quit camp needed for new army] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416042734/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2006/01/mil-060104-irin04.htm |date=April 16, 2007 }}, January 4, 2006.</ref> Yet Taylor denied ECOMOG any role in the restructuring of the AFL, and the force eventually left Liberia by the end of 1998.{{sfn|Adebajo|2002|p=233–235}}

During the 1990–99 period, Chiefs of Staff included Lieutenant Colonel Davis S. Brapoh, Lieutenant General Hezekiah Bowen (later Minister of Defense), Lieutenant General A.M.V. Doumuyah, and Lieutenant General Kalilu [[Abraham Kromah|Abe Kromah]], appointed during the interim rule of the Council of State in 1996,<ref>Kromah was a former police officer, and promoted again, like Dubar, in one leap to lieutenant general. He now appears to be in the United States. ({{cite web |url=http://www.felmausa.org/felmausa178.htm |title=ELECTIONS SPECIAL: Board Chairman Needs Your Unflinching Support For Re-election |access-date=2010-03-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726051510/http://www.felmausa.org/felmausa178.htm |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}).</ref> who was chief of staff from May 1996 to April 1997. Following Kromah, Lieutenant General Prince C. Johnson was appointed, who died in October 1999 following a car accident.<ref name=AFT63 />

===Taylor regime (1997–2003)===
Shortly after the induction of Taylor as elected president of Liberia in August 1997, the Ministry of National Defense determined that the strength of the AFL had risen during the war from 6,500 to 14,981 service members. To begin demobilization, the AFL Chief of Staff published Special Orders No. 1 on January 1, 1998, demobilizing and retiring 2,250 personnel. The demobilization process was delayed and badly managed, and only on April 22, 1998, did payments began to be issued to the demobilizing personnel, without prior explanation of what exactly the payments represented.<ref>{{cite book |title=AFL Restructuring Commission Report submitted to H.E. Charles Taylor, President of Liberia|date=December 17, 1998 |location=Monrovia, Liberia|pages=3–4}}</ref>

Demonstrations and protests by the demobilized personnel eventually led to a riot in which three died on May 5, 1998. As a result, Taylor authorised the formation of a commission to submit recommendations on how the AFL should be reorganized. The commission, led by Blamoh Nelson, Director of the Cabinet, submitted its report on December 17, 1998, recommending a 6,000-strong armed forces (5,160 Army, 600 Navy, and 240 Air Force) but the proposal was never implemented.<ref>{{cite book |title=AFL Restructuring Commission Report submitted to H.E. Charles Taylor, President of Liberia|date=December 17, 1998 |location=Monrovia, Liberia|page=34}}</ref>

Instead Taylor ran down the Armed Forces, letting go 2,400–2,600 former personnel, many of whom were [[Krahn]] brought in by former President Doe, in December 1997 – January 1998,{{sfn|Adebajo|2002|p=235}} and building up instead the [[Anti-Terrorist Unit (Liberia)|Anti-Terrorist Unit]] (ATU), the Special Operations Division of the [[Law enforcement in Liberia|Liberian National Police]], and the Special Security Service. On November 19, 1999, Taylor named General Kpenkpah Konah as the new Chief of Staff of the AFL (where he would stay until 2006) and [[John Tarnue]] as head of the army.<ref>{{cite news |author=Anon. |title=World: Africa Liberia names new army chief|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/527641.stm|work=BBC News|date=November 19, 1999|access-date=August 3, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100811024712/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/527641.stm| archive-date= August 11, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Tarnue was later implicated in a land dispute in 1999, while acting as AFL commander.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trcofliberia.org/news-1/press-releases/un-lutheran-massacres-victim-testify-1|title=UN Lutheran Massacres Victim Testifies|publisher=Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission|access-date=23 May 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429180015/https://www.trcofliberia.org/news-1/press-releases/un-lutheran-massacres-victim-testify-1|archive-date=29 April 2009|df=mdy}}</ref>

The [[International Crisis Group]] writes that the AFL was reduced practically to the point of non-existence by fall 2001, by which time a total of 4,000 personnel had been retired.<ref name=ICG2002>{{cite web |author=International Crisis Group|title=Liberia: The Key to Ending Regional Instability|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/west-africa/liberia/043-liberia-the-key-to-ending-regional-instability.aspx |date=April 24, 2002|access-date=August 28, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100819144739/http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/west-africa/liberia/043-liberia-the-key-to-ending-regional-instability.aspx| archive-date= August 19, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The [[Second Liberian Civil War]] originated in clashes in April 1999 but was not a major threat to Taylor until 2000–01. However, on the government side the AFL played only a minor role; irregular ex [[National Patriotic Front of Liberia]] militias backed by more privileged Taylor partisans such as the [[Anti-Terrorist Unit (Liberia)|Anti-Terrorist Unit]] saw most of the fighting.<ref name=ICG2002/>

As a result of the [[Second Liberian Civil War|Civil War]], all aircraft, equipment, materiel, and facilities belonging to the Liberian Air Force were badly damaged, rendering the force inoperable.<ref name="2007_Budget"/> During the Civil War the Taylor government made a variety of different air support arrangements; a seemingly inoperable [[Mil Mi-2]] and [[Mil Mi-8]], one in [[Anti-Terrorist Unit (Liberia)|Anti-Terrorist Unit]] markings, could be seen at [[Spriggs Payne Airport]] in central Monrovia in mid-2005, apparently a hangover from the war. Meanwhile, during the Taylor era, the Navy consisted of a couple of small patrol craft. However, on shore, both late 1990s and 2005 sources indicate the Navy included the 2nd Naval District, [[Buchanan, Liberia|Buchanan]], the 3rd Naval District, [[Greenville, Liberia|Greenville]], and the 4th Naval District, [[Harper, Liberia|Harper]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Annual Report of the Ministry of National Defense |year=c. 2002|publisher=Government of Liberia|location=Monrovia}}</ref>

===Rebuilding the AFL===
[[File:AFL soldiers 2008.jpg|thumb|alt=A colour photograph of soldiers on a naval vessel being inspected by President Ellen Johnson Sirlef and a senior military officer. The soldiers are wearing disruptive pattern camouflage uniforms and are standing in ranks across the deck|President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf inspecting AFL soldiers on board [[USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43)|USS ''Fort McHenry'']] in 2008]]

Part 4 (Articles VI and VII) of the August 2003 [[Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement]] (CPA) which ended the Second Liberian Civil War addressed security sector reform.<ref name=CPA>{{cite web|url=http://www.usip.org/resources/peace-agreements-liberia|title=Link to Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement, August 18, 2003|website=[[United States Institute of Peace]]|access-date=January 7, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016160631/http://www.usip.org/resources/peace-agreements-liberia|archive-date=October 16, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> It declared that future recruits for the new AFL would be screened for their fitness for service as well as prior human rights violations, that the new force would be ethnically balanced and without political bias, and that the new force's mission would be to defend national sovereignty and "in extremis" respond to natural disasters.<ref name=CPA />

By March 1, 2005, over a year after the war ended, the [[United Nations Mission in Liberia]] (UNMIL) had disarmed and demobilized 103,018 people<ref>National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration, DDRR Consolidated Report Phase (Status of Disarmament and Demobilization Activities as at January 16, 2005). 1,2 & 3, cited in Ebo, 2005. The UN Secretary-General's 6th Report on UNMIL, S/2005/177, dated March 17, 2005, paragraph 22, gives 101,495.</ref> who claimed to have fought for former president [[Charles G. Taylor|Charles Taylor]] or the two rebel groups, [[Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy]] (LURD) or the [[Movement for Democracy in Liberia]] (MODEL). That year most former AFL elements were concentrated at Camp Schiefflin.<ref name="globalsecurity.org"/> The previous AFL personnel, including those of the Navy and Air Force, were slowly retired with pensions obtained by the MND and international partners from a number of international donors.<ref>{{cite web|author=[[United Nations Mission in Liberia]]|title=History|url=http://unmil.org/1content.asp?ccat=history&zdoc=1|access-date=October 3, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122132845/http://unmil.org/1content.asp?ccat=history&zdoc=1|archive-date=January 22, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 2005, the United States provided funding for [[DynCorp International]] and Pacific Architects & Engineers, [[private military contractor]]s, to train a new 4,000-man Liberian military.<ref>{{cite web |title=Liberia: US Hires Private Company to Train 4,000 strong military |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2005/02/mil-050215-irin01.htm |date=February 15, 2005 |publisher=IRINNEWS.org |access-date=April 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617105556/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2005/02/mil-050215-irin01.htm |archive-date=June 17, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} See funding for 2007–2009 at [http://2001-2009.state.gov/t/pm/64675.htm US State Dept] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524230604/https://2001-2009.state.gov/t/pm/64675.htm |date=May 24, 2019 }}</ref> DynCorp was made responsible for individual training and PA&E unit training. In June–July 2005 the projected force strength was reduced to 2000 men. DynCorp and the U.S. Embassy scrutinized the personnel for the new armed forces thoroughly. Recruits had to pass a literacy test, an aptitude test, a drug test and an HIV test, and their names and faces were put on posters which are distributed to try to make sure none have a history of war crimes or other human rights violations.<ref>{{cite news |title=An Army unsullied by past |author=Michael M. Phillips |url=https://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB118703899075796334-_s116GbyvQ_1_yklnMDN_yk4uTw_20070820.html?mod=regionallinks |date=August 14, 2007 |work=Wall Street Journal }}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A new batch of 500 screened personnel started to arrive at the Camp Ware base at VOA [[Careysburg]], inland from Monrovia, for initial training in early November 2007,<ref>D. Webster Cassell, [http://allafrica.com/stories/200711080792.html Liberia: New AFL Recruits Go Into Training] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109182342/http://allafrica.com/stories/200711080792.html |date=November 9, 2007 }}, allAfrica.com, November 8, 2007</ref> joining 608 others who had graduated earlier.<ref>The Analyst Newspaper, Liberia : AFL Regaining Shape, September 2007 (Nonfunctioning link removed).</ref>

The Minister of Defense that President [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]] appointed in early 2006, [[Brownie Samukai]], had a good public reputation.<ref>IRIN, [http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=57835 LIBERIA: Sirleaf unveils first members of new peacetime government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013063459/http://irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=57835 |date=October 13, 2007 }}, January 17, 2006</ref>

[[File:Major Keith Vital with AFL big.jpg|thumb|A [[U.S. Marine Corps]] officer speaks to AFL troops during a 2009 training exercise.]]
There appears to be some lack of coordination, at least according to ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', between the [[Ministry of National Defense (Liberia)|Ministry of National Defense]] and [[DynCorp]], who is training the new army. 
The newspaper said in an August 2007 report:
<blockquote>Mr. Samukai also complains that he feels sidelined from the formation of an army that, as defense minister, he is supposed to oversee. Neither the State Department nor DynCorp will let him see the company's contract, for instance. And the U.S. insists that instead of talking directly to DynCorp managers, he go through Major Wyatt [chief of the [[United States Security Assistance Organizations|Office of Defense Cooperation]] at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia] on all matters related to the training.<ref>Michael M. Phillips, [https://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB118703899075796334-_s116GbyvQ_1_yklnMDN_yk4uTw_20070820.html?mod=regionallinks An Army unsuilled by past]{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', August 14, 2007</ref>  </blockquote>

Whether well regarded or not, Samukai has been accused of misusing his power; there have been allegations that he has ordered soldiers to manhandle other senior Liberian government officials—the Comptroller General of the Ministry of Finance in August 2008.<ref>The Inquirer (Monrovia), [http://allafrica.com/stories/200808220866.html Liberia: Prince Johnson wants investigation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920035455/http://allafrica.com/stories/200808220866.html |date=September 20, 2008 }}, August 22, 2008</ref>

On January 11, 2008, a total 485 soldiers graduated from Initial Entry Training class 08–01.  The addition of this third class of soldiers, consisting of 468 men and 17 women, raised the total strength of the AFL from 639 to 1,124.<ref>International Crisis Group, [http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/west-africa/liberia/148-liberia-uneven-progress-in-security-sector-reform.aspx ''Liberia: Uneven Progress in Security Sector Reform'', Africa Report No. 148] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805072803/http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/west-africa/liberia/148-liberia-uneven-progress-in-security-sector-reform.aspx |date=August 5, 2010 }}, January 13, 2009, p.13, and Lieutenant Colonel William C. Wyatt's blog, [http://monroviamonitor.blogspot.com/ Monrovia Daily Monitor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708053653/http://monroviamonitor.blogspot.com/ |date=July 8, 2011 }}</ref> As the new Liberian force developed, UNMIL started winding down its initially 15,000 strong peacekeeping mission; by 2008 the force had been reduced to 11,000.<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/200802220937.html Liberia: Govt pleads for UNMIL's full presence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226045057/http://allafrica.com/stories/200802220937.html |date=February 26, 2008 }}, February 22, 2008</ref>

In the interim buildup period, President Johnson-Sirleaf decided that a Nigerian officer would act as the Command Officer-In-Charge of the new armed forces. Major General [[Suraj Abdurrahman]] succeeded the previous incumbent, Lieutenant General [[Luka Yusuf]], in early June 2007; Lieutenant General Yusuf had been posted home to Nigeria to become [[Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria)|Chief of Army Staff]].<ref>Charles B. Yates, [http://allafrica.com/stories/200706110911.html Liberia: Army Gets New Commander] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002222248/http://allafrica.com/stories/200706110911.html |date=October 2, 2012 }}, The Inquirer (Monrovia), June 11, 2007, See also AfriqueJet.com, [http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/liberia-gets-new-nigerian-chief-of-staff-2009011119309.html Liberia gets new Nigerian Chief of Staff] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005231408/http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/liberia-gets-new-nigerian-chief-of-staff-2009011119309.html |date=October 5, 2011 }}, 2009</ref>

Luka had succeeded the previous Liberian Chief of Staff, Kpenkpa Y. Konah, in 2006. In mid-July 2008, five reinstated AFL officers returned from the Nigerian Armed Forces Command and Staff College after training there. These officers include Lt Cols. Sekou S. Sheriff, Boakai B. Kamara, Aaron T. Johnson, Daniel K. Moore and Major Andrew J. Wleh.<ref>New Liberian, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160305184029/http://newliberian.com/?p=438 Five Reinstated AFL Officers Complete Senior Leadership Training in Nigeria]}}, July 16, 2008</ref> Subsequently, Aaron T. Johnson was promoted to colonel and confirmed by the Liberian Senate as Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFL, immediately subordinate to General Abdurrahman.<ref>[[Ministry of National Defense (Liberia)]], 'Profile of AFL Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS),' ''Armed Forces Today,'' Vol. 3, No. 1, February 11, 2009</ref> A number of the current senior AFL officers have been drawn from the ranks of the previous 1993–94 Interim Government of National Unity paramilitary police force, the 'Black Berets.'<ref>Thomas Kai Toteh, [http://www.liberianforum.com/Articles/Progressives-Deception-to-create-Black-Berets-and-their-trail-of-violence.html Progressive Deception to create Black Berets and their trail of violence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713203800/http://www.liberianforum.com/Articles/Progressives-Deception-to-create-Black-Berets-and-their-trail-of-violence.html |date=July 13, 2011 }}. Retrieved August 18, 2010</ref>

Facility reconstruction has not been limited to VOA/Camp Ware and Schiefflin/EBK. The Chinese Government offered in 2006 to rebuild Camp Tubman in [[Gbarnga]],<ref>AllAfrica, [http://allafrica.com/stories/200611080489.html Liberia: Chinese to Build Camp Tubman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007232500/http://allafrica.com/stories/200611080489.html |date=October 7, 2012 }}, link verified April 2009, and AllAfrica, [http://allafrica.com/stories/200707240882.html Liberia: GOL breaks ground for military barracks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007232507/http://allafrica.com/stories/200707240882.html |date=October 7, 2012 }}, July 2007</ref> and the new facility was opened in April 2009. There is also a plan to rebuild Camp Todee in [[Todee District]], upper [[Montserrado]].<ref>'Citizens of Todee Celebrate Road Rehabilitation and Development Initiatives Gifts from American People,' Monrovia ''Daily Observer,'' Wednesday, May 27, 2009, p.6b</ref> The Barclay Training Center (BTC) was handed back to the Government of Liberia on July 31, 2009, at a ceremony attended by the Minister for National Defense and the United States Ambassador after four years of management by [[DynCorp]].<ref>The Informer (Monrovia), [http://allafrica.com/stories/200907300704.html Barclay Training Center to be handed over to Defense Ministry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604105756/http://allafrica.com/stories/200907300704.html |date=June 4, 2011 }}, July 31, 2009</ref>

In October 2009 a [[State Partnership Program]] relationship was begun between the AFL and the U.S. state of Michigan's [[Michigan National Guard]].<ref>TSgt Dan Heaton ([[127th Wing]]), [https://www.ang.af.mil/News/story_print/id/123199311/ Multi-State Efforts Support West African Partner], Air Force Print News Today, April 12, 2010, and The Inquirer, [http://theinquirer.com.lr/story.php?record_id=4281&sub=14 Defense Minister hosts Michigan National Guard's Adjutant General]{{dead link|date=September 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, June–July 2011</ref> Of the other large number of security agencies, plans existed as of mid-2008 at least to dissolve the Ministry of National Security, the National Bureau of Investigation and the [[Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency]]. The 2009–2010 budget appears to indicate however that this consolidation has not taken place.

===Peacekeeping operations===
In 2013, the AFL deployed a platoon as part of the [[United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali]] (MINUSMA), marking the first time that the AFL had operated abroad since the [[United Nations Operation in the Congo]] in the early 1960s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201306210920.html|title=Liberia: AFL Off to Mali At Last|date=June 21, 2013|access-date=January 7, 2018|via=AllAfrica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610195941/http://allafrica.com/stories/201306210920.html|archive-date=June 10, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Initially under Nigerian command, the AFL platoon came under Togo Contingent Command when Nigeria withdrew from the mission. Despite some initial logistical problems the platoon performed admirably, performing patrols and VIP escort duties. The deployment has now seen a number of rotations:
* Platoon 1 (Capt.? Nathaniel Waka) – 45 personnel strong; June 23, 2013, to June 26, 2014<ref name="ReferenceA">'AFL Peacekeepers Return Today', ''Heritage'' (Monrovia), June 26, 2014</ref>
* Platoon 2 (Capt. Ernest A. Appleton) – June 26, 2014, to June 25, 2015<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>Kwanue, C.Y., 2015, 'A Profile: Commander of AFL 2nd Batch From Mali', ''Liberian Daily Observer'' (Monrovia), July 2, 2015, accessed October 2, 2016, <{{cite web |url=http://liberianobserver.com/news/profile-commander-afl-2nd-batch-mali |title=A Profile: Commander Of AFL 2nd Batch From Mali |access-date=2016-10-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002194456/http://liberianobserver.com/news/profile-commander-afl-2nd-batch-mali |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}></ref>
* Platoon 3 (Capt. Stephen T. Powo) – June 25, 2015, to September 2, 2016<ref>'Liberian Peacekeepers in Mali Return Home June 25', Liberia News Agency, June 23, 2015.</ref><ref name="auto">http://mod.gov.lr/our-heroes-return-from-peacekeeping-mission/ Our Heroes Return from Peacekeeping Mission, Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Liberia, accessed February 8, 2017 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080409/http://mod.gov.lr/our-heroes-return-from-peacekeeping-mission/ |date=February 11, 2017 }}></ref>
* Platoon 4 (Capt. Forkpah Tarnue) – September 2, 2016, to ...<ref name="auto"/>

From February 2017 the Mali deployment was increased to a 75-strong contingent,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/news/4746-afl-deputy-chief-of-staff-represents-liberia-at-un-chiefs-of-staff-conference-in-new-york|title=FrontPageAfrica Newspaper – AFL Deputy Chief of Staff Represents Liberia At UN Chiefs of Staff Conference in New York|last=Reporter|first=FPA|website=www.frontpageafricaonline.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815131436/http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/news/4746-afl-deputy-chief-of-staff-represents-liberia-at-un-chiefs-of-staff-conference-in-new-york|archive-date=August 15, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> growing to a company of 105 personnel, with additional military observers and staff officers, from September 2018. In August 2019 training was completed of another company, the sixth rotation, due for deployment in September 2019.<ref>Parley, W.W. (2019) 'Experts Prepare Liberian Troops for Mali', ''The New Dawn'' (Monrovia), 8 August 2019.</ref>
  
May 3, 2017, saw the first Liberian soldier killed on deployment with MINUSMA.  Corporal Sheriff Ousmane was killed when a rebel group fired mortars into a UN base near Timbuktu.<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201705120733.html Tamba, G.T. (2017) 'Tears Greet Cpl. Sheriff Ousmane's Remains', ''Liberian Observer'' (Monrovia), 12 May 2017, accessed 14 May 2017 via Allafrica.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515232513/http://allafrica.com/stories/201705120733.html |date=May 15, 2017 }}></ref>  Seven other Liberians were wounded in the bombardment, three seriously so, together with a Swedish peacekeeper.<ref>Kamara, S.P. (2017) 'MOD Speaks on Troops' Casualties', ''The New Dawn'' (Monrovia), 5 May 2017.</ref>

During January 2019 the Ministry of National Defense announced plans to send a platoon-size contingent of peacekeepers to the [[United Nations Mission in South Sudan]] (UNMISS).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberianobserver.com/news/afl-contingent-to-join-un-peacekeeping-mission-in-south-sudan-defense-authorities/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202212524/https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/afl-contingent-to-join-un-peacekeeping-mission-in-south-sudan-defense-authorities/|url-status=dead|title=AFL Contingent to Join UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan – Defense Authorities', ''Liberian Observer'' (Monrovia), 8 January 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2019}}</ref>

== Structure ==
[[File:Liberian training visit to USA.jpg|thumb|alt=A colour photograph of two soldiers, one holding an assault rifle, talking at a training ground. The soldier on the left is in a camouflage field uniform, while the soldier on the right holding the rifle is in a grey camouflage uniform|Major Andrew Wleh, commander, AFL Armed Forces Training Command (left), discusses marksmanship training with a U.S. soldier (right) whilst on a visit to the United States.]]

=== 23rd Infantry Brigade ===
The Liberian ground forces currently consist of two infantry battalions under the 23rd Infantry Brigade and supporting units. The 1st Battalion, [[23rd Infantry Brigade (Liberia)|23rd Infantry Brigade]], was formed on August 29, 2008, at the Barclay Training Center in [[Monrovia]],<ref>Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel P. Lapierre, [http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=2011 Liberia's President Johnson-Sirleaf, U.S. General Ward Attend Historic Activation of Liberian Military Unit] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912052133/http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=2011 |date=September 12, 2008 }}, [[United States Africa Command]]. Retrieved August 3, 2010</ref> and the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Brigade in December that year. Both battalions are currently based at the former Camp Schiefflin, which has now been renamed the [[Edward Binyah Kesselly]] Barracks, often known simply as 'EBK Barracks.'<ref>Colin Robinson, [http://www.securityanddevelopment.org/pdf/Comments%20on%20Africa%2013.pdf Military or hybrid solutions for border patrolling in Liberia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202102803/http://www.securityanddevelopment.org/pdf/Comments%20on%20Africa%2013.pdf |date=February 2, 2014 }}, Comments on Africa No. 13, Conflict, Security, and Development Group, [[King's College London]], March 2012.</ref>

As a result of the concentration of troops at EBK, the camp was overcrowded, and disturbances among the soldiers have occurred.<ref>Rebecca Murray, [http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49823 New Army Faces Greatest Challenge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607110101/http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49823 |date=June 7, 2010 }}, Inter Press Service, December 26, 2009</ref> As of mid-2009, the Ministry of Defense is attempting to alleviate the problem by relocating some personnel to Camp Tubman in Gbarnga.<ref>Jefferson Massah, [http://allafrica.com/stories/200909160834.html Liberia: UNMIL Provides training for 60 AFL Military Engineers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629142525/http://allafrica.com/stories/200909160834.html |date=June 29, 2011 }}, The Informer, September 16, 2009</ref>

The two battalions and supporting units went through training and preparation for an assessment exercise, a modified US Army Readiness Training Evaluation Program (ARTEP),<ref>[[United States Marine Corps]], [https://www.mfr.usmc.mil/mfrnews/2009/2009.03/ftx.asp Diggin' In]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, March 2009</ref> which was held in late 2009. When declared operational, the 23rd Infantry Brigade was planned to be commanded by a [[colonel]] with a headquarters of 113 personnel. Supporting units were to include a band platoon (40 members), engineer company (220 strong), Brigade Training Unit (162 strong, now retitled the Armed Forces Training Command, located at Camp Ware under Major Wleh),<ref>{{cite web |first=Kristin|last=Molinaro |title=Liberian delegation visits Fort Benning|url=https://www.army.mil/article/25591/liberian-delegation-visits-fort-benning/|publisher=United States Army|date=August 6, 2009|access-date=August 6, 2009| archive-url= http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090809160318/http%3A//www%2Earmy%2Emil/%2Dnews/2009/08/06/25591%2Dliberian%2Ddelegation%2Dvisits%2Dfort%2Dbenning/| archive-date= August 9, 2009 | url-status= live}}(The Bayonet)</ref> and a military police company (105 strong).{{sfn|Malan|2008|pages=36–37}}
The force operates according to slightly modified [[United States Army]] practices, and uses U.S. doctrine.{{sfn|Malan|2008|pages=36–37}}

<blockquote>"..The first battalion started the United States Army Training and Evaluation Programme, which it will complete in September [2009], while the second battalion will complete the programme in December [2009]. At that time, the United States contractors currently training and equipping the force will hand over to the [[Ministry of National Defense (Liberia)|Ministry of National Defense]], which will assume responsibility for training and standing up the new army. The United States has indicated that it plans to assign as many as 60 United States serving military personnel to continue mentoring the Armed Forces of Liberia, beginning in January 2010."<ref name=UNSG2009>UN Secretary-General's Report on UNMIL, released 10 August 2009</ref></blockquote>

[[File:Liberian Coast Guard formation.png|thumb|Major General [[Suraj Abdurrahman]], Command Officer-in-Charge of the AFL, hands over a new [[Guidon (United States)|Guidon]] to the reactivated Coast Guard.]]
As of December 2010, a Logistics Command is being established within the AFL, taking the same name as a pre-Civil War AFL formation.<ref>[http://www.dvidshub.net/image/319273/marine-forces-africa-commander-visits-liberia-gauges-progress-onward-liberty-mentorship Photo 2 of 9 covering senior officials visit: “United States Marine Brig. Gen. Paul W. Brier, commander, U.S. Marine Forces Africa, and Michelle Stefanick, foreign policy advisor, U.S. Marine Forces Africa, learn about the progress of Operation ONWARD LIBERTY.”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723104236/http://www.dvidshub.net/image/319273/marine-forces-africa-commander-visits-liberia-gauges-progress-onward-liberty-mentorship |date=July 23, 2011 }}. Retrieved December 2, 2010.</ref>

=== Coast Guard ===

The Coast Guard was reactivated on the 53rd Armed Forces Day on February 11, 2010, with an initial strength of 40 personnel who had been trained in the United States.<ref>Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, [http://www.theperspective.org/2010/0126201001.html President's Annual Message] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130192956/http://www.theperspective.org/2010/0126201001.html |date=January 30, 2010 }}, January 25, 2010</ref> A [[United States Coast Guard]] officer is now serving at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia supporting efforts to reestablish the Liberian Coast Guard.<ref>Chief Petty Officer Jason Morris, [http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=3600&lang=0 APS, Seabees Bolster Liberia's Coast Guard] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720130445/http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=3600&lang=0 |date=July 20, 2011 }}, Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs, October 20, 2009</ref>

A detachment from [[SeaBee]] [[Naval Mobile Construction Battalion]] 7, based at [[Naval Station Rota]], Spain, constructed a [[United States Africa Command]]-funded boat ramp and concrete perimeter wall for the Coast Guard, which was handed over in December 2010.<ref>[http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=53732 NMCB 7 Liberia Detachment Receives Commendation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629212600/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=53732 |date=June 29, 2011 }}, May 30, 2010. Retrieved June 2010, and [http://africom.wordpress.com/2010/12/29/liberian-coast-guard-ready-for-247-ops/ Liberian Coast Guard Ready for 24/7 Ops] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701165625/http://africom.wordpress.com/2010/12/29/liberian-coast-guard-ready-for-247-ops/ |date=July 1, 2011 }}, December 29, 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2011</ref> In February 2011, the United States turned over two donated [[USCG Defender class boat]]s to the Coast Guard.<ref>[http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/10592 liberianobserver.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219062733/http://liberianobserver.com/node/10592 |date=February 19, 2011 }} US Equip AFL with 2 Boats</ref>

The ranks and insignia of the Armed Forces of Liberia are based on those of the [[United States Department of Defense]], and are laid out in the Liberian Defense Act of 2008.<ref name="DA08" />

=== Air Force ===
[[File:Liberian Air Force Roundel.svg|thumb|Liberian Air Force Roundel]]
The Liberian Air Force was formally dissolved in 2005 as part of the armed forces demobilization programme, though it had effectively ceased to exist during the civil war. There was also a paramilitary [[Justice Air Wing]] operating some [[Mil Mi-2]]s. After 2003, only the [[United Nations Mission in Liberia]] (UNMIL) operated military aircraft in Liberia – [[Mil Mi-8]] transport and [[Mil Mi-24]] attack helicopters from [[Roberts International Airport]] with several subsidiary locations.<ref name="UNSG2009" /> These aircraft left the country on or before the cessation of UNMIL operations on 31 March 2018.

In 2018–19, two Liberian pilots were trained by the [[Nigerian Air Force]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/armed-forces-of-liberia-gets-new-pilots/amp/ |title=Amphibious ships pass preliminary design reviews |date=23 July 2009 |website=www.defenceweb.co.za |access-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113171034/https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/armed-forces-of-liberia-gets-new-pilots/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Chief of Staff of the AFL visited Ghana to discuss military cooperation opportunities, including those related to the reestablishment of an aviation capability.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/armed-forces-of-liberia-to-module-air-wing-after-ghana-air-force/|title=Armed Forces of Liberia to Model Air Wing after Ghana Air Force|date=December 11, 2019|access-date=April 28, 2023|archive-date=August 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805214440/https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/armed-forces-of-liberia-to-module-air-wing-after-ghana-air-force/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Equipment ==

=== Infantry battalion equipment ===
"The basic weaponry provided to the AFL- AK-47 assault rifles and RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launchers—[was] compatible with that of other
ECOWAS countries. ..[W]eapons were donated by the Romanian government."{{sfn|Malan|2008|page=36}} Other reporting on weaponry includes [[AKM]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Jane's infantry weapons, 2009–2010 2009/2010 |date=January 5, 2009 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0-7106-2869-5 |edition=35th}}</ref> and [[Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965|PM md. 63]]<ref>[[c:File:Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Pfc. Cyres Thompson, right, checks out his shot placement while U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Garcia, a mentor for the AFL's 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Brigade, ensures 130426-F-ED706-093.jpg]]{{better source needed|date=May 2020}}</ref> assault rifles, and [[PK machine gun]]s. It may also include [[Streit Cougar]] vehicles.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 February 2020 |title=Liberia operating Streit Cougars |url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/liberia-operating-streit-cougars/ |access-date=18 May 2020 |website=defenceWeb |language=en-ZA |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122020408/https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/liberia-operating-streit-cougars/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Aircraft inventory ===
The Liberian Air Force inventory for its entire existence included:
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center;" |Aircraft
! style="text-align: center;" |Origin
! style="text-align:l center;" |Type
! style="text-align:left;" |Variant
! style="text-align:center;" |In service
! style="text-align: center;" |Notes
|-
! colspan="7" style="align: center;" |Transport
|-
|[[De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou]]
|[[Canada]]
|Transport
|
|2<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The Worlds Air Forces|last=Peacock|first=Lindsay|publisher=Salamander Books|year=1991|isbn=0-86101-563-0|pages=149}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Cessna 208 Caravan|Cessna 208 Caravan 1]]
|[[United States]]
|Transport
|
|1<ref name=":0" />
|
|-
|[[Boeing 707]]
|[[United States]]
|VIP
|[[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-351B]]
|1
|Government transport
|-
|[[Boeing 727]]
|[[United States]]
|VIP
|[[Boeing 727|Boeing 727–25]]
|1
|Government transport
|-
|[[BAC One-Eleven|BAC 1–11]]
|[[United Kingdom]]
|VIP
|[[BAC One-Eleven|BAC 1–11 Series 401AK]]
|1
|Government Transport
|-
! colspan="7" style="align: center;" |Communications
|-
|[[Cessna 150|Cessna 150K]]
|[[United States]]
|Communications
|
|2<ref name=":0" />
|Operated by the Liberian Army Air Reconnaissance Unit
|-
|[[Cessna 172]]
|[[United States]]
|Communications
|
|1<ref name=":0" />
|Operated by the Liberian Army Air Reconnaissance Unit
|-
|[[Cessna 180|Cessna 180E]]
|[[United States]]
|Communications
|
|1<ref name=":0" />
|Operated by the Liberian Army Air Reconnaissance Unit
|-
|[[Cessna 206]]
|[[United States]]
|Communications
|
|2<ref name=":0" />
|Operated by the Liberian Army Air Reconnaissance Unit
|-
! colspan="7" style="align: center;" |Helicopters
|-
|[[Mil Mi-24]]
|[[Russia]]
|Attack
|
|1{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}
|
|-
|[[Mil Mi-2]]
|[[Poland]]
|Transport
|
|1{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}
|Operated by the Justice Air Wing{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}
|}

==Training==
===Higher education===
{{Main|Tubman Military Academy}}
The [[Tubman Military Academy]] at Camp [[Todee District|Todee]] in [[Montserrado County]] trains officer candidates in the AFL. The Officer Candidate School is part of the academy.

===ROTC===
The first Liberian [[Reserve Officers' Training Corps]] ([[ROTC]]) program was established in 1956 at the [[University of Liberia]] (UL) in [[Monrovia]] and the [[Booker Washington Institute]] (BWI) in [[Kakata]]. In August 2015, the Ministry of National Defense announced its intention with the Ministry of Education to resume ROTC in Liberian schools.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201508251098.html |title=allAfrica |access-date=December 20, 2022 |archive-date=May 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503000306/http://allafrica.com/stories/201508251098.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> ROTC had not been institutions since the end of the conflicts in the 2000s. A year later, an ROTC pilot program was established at (BWI).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://liberianewsagency.com/2018/08/26/govt-plans-to-re-introduce-rotc-in-all-schools/ | title=Gov't Plans to Re-introduce ROTC in All Schools | date=August 26, 2018 | access-date=December 20, 2022 | archive-date=December 20, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220231347/https://liberianewsagency.com/2018/08/26/govt-plans-to-re-introduce-rotc-in-all-schools/ | url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Richard D. Baysay |title=BWI to Resume ROTC Course Next Academic Year |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201603250856.html |access-date=28 April 2023 |work=allAfrica |agency=Lina |date=23 March 2016 |archive-date=April 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409214704/http://allafrica.com/stories/201603250856.html |url-status=live }} (subscription required)</ref>

=== Armed Forces Training Command (AFTC) ===
The Armed Forces Training Command (AFTC) is the training center for the Armed Forces of Liberia. It was established in February 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Armed Forces Training Command (AFTC) – Ministry of National Defense |url=https://mod.gov.lr/the-forces/armed-forces-training-command-aftc/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227063237/https://mod.gov.lr/the-forces/armed-forces-training-command-aftc/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== References ==
* Aboagye, Festus B, and Rupiya, Dr Martin R, (2005). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110609172536/http://www.iss.co.za/pgcontent.php?UID=16707 ''Enhancing post-Conflict Democratic Governance through effective Security Sector Reform in Liberia''], Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria, RSA,  (Chapter 11 of larger book)
* {{cite book |title=AFL Restructuring Commission Report submitted to H.E. Charles Taylor, President of Liberia|date=December 17, 1998 |location=Monrovia, Liberia}}
* {{cite book |title=Liberia's Civil War|last=Adebajo|first=Adekeye|year=2002|publisher=Lynn Rienner|location=London & Boulder, CO|isbn=978-1-58826-052-9}}
* Ebo, Adedeji, (2005). ''The Challenges And Opportunities Of Security Sector Reform in post-conflict Liberia,'' Geneva Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces,
* {{cite book |title=The Mask of Anarchy|last=Ellis|first=Stephen|year=2001|publisher=Hurst and Company|location=London|isbn=1-85065-417-4}}.
* International Crisis Group, [https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/liberia/liberia-uneven-progress-security-sector-reform ''Liberia: Uneven Progress in Security Sector Reform'', Africa Report No. 148] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618211910/https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/west-africa/liberia/liberia-uneven-progress-security-sector-reform |date=June 18, 2021 }}, January 13, 2009
* [[International Crisis Group]], [http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/west-africa/liberia/B036-liberia-staying-focused.aspx ''Liberia: Staying Focused''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706020636/http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/west-africa/liberia/B036-liberia-staying-focused.aspx |date=July 6, 2016 }}, Africa Report No. 36, January 13, 2006
* {{cite web |author=International Crisis Group|title=Liberia: The Key to Ending Regional Instability|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/west-africa/liberia/043-liberia-the-key-to-ending-regional-instability.aspx |date=April 24, 2002|access-date=August 28, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100819144739/http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/west-africa/liberia/043-liberia-the-key-to-ending-regional-instability.aspx| archive-date= August 19, 2010 | url-status= live}}
* International Institute for Strategic Studies, Adelphi Papers 27 (1967) and 67 (1970), The Armed Forces of African States
* {{cite book|first=John|last=Keegan|title=World Armies|isbn=978-0-333-17236-0|year=1979|publisher=Macmillan }}
* {{cite book|last=Lowenkopf|first=Martin|title=Politics in Liberia: The Conservative Road to Development|publisher=[[Hoover Institute Press]]|place=Stanford|year=1976}}
* {{cite web |url= http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/pub855.pdf |last=Malan |first=Mark |title=Security Sector Reform in Liberia: Mixed Results from Humble Beginnings''|publisher= United States Army Strategic Studies Institute|year=2008 |access-date= December 31, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090112021641/http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB855.pdf |archive-date= January 12, 2009 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}&nbsp;{{small|(374&nbsp;KB)}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Nelson|editor-first=Harold D.|title=Liberia: A Country Study|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a159331.pdf|date=September 1984|series=Area Handbook Series|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|place=Washington, D.C.|access-date=August 25, 2020|archive-date=April 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418223659/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a159331.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Roberts|editor-first=T.D.|title=US Army Area Handbook Liberia|url=|date=1964|series=Area Handbook Series|publisher=Foreign Area Studies Division, American University, [[Department of the Army]]|place= Washington, D.C.}} Pamphlet 550–38. Also Irving Kaplan, Barbara Lent, Dennis Morrisey, Charles Townsend, Neda Walpole. 
* Roberts et al. 1972. See {{cite book|author=Thomas Duval Roberts|title=Area Handbook for Liberia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=96VzAAAAMAAJ|year=1972|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427131156/https://books.google.com/books?id=96VzAAAAMAAJ|archive-date=April 27, 2016|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}
* Colin Robinson, [https://web.archive.org/web/20140202102803/http://www.securityanddevelopment.org/pdf/Comments%20on%20Africa%2013.pdf Military or hybrid solutions for border patrolling in Liberia], Comments on Africa No. 13, Conflict, Security, and Development Group, [[King's College London]], March 2012
* Samukai, Brownie J., (February 17, 2004). [http://www.theperspective.org/2004/feb/afl.html ''Armed Forces Of Liberia: Reality Check For A New Military With A Redefined Constitutional Mission''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814053653/http://www.theperspective.org/2004/feb/afl.html |date=August 14, 2007 }},
* {{cite book |title=The Emergence of Autocracy in Liberia: Tragedy and Challenge |last=Sawyer|first=Amos|year=1992 |publisher=Institute for Contemporary Studies |location=San Francisco }} [[Amos Sawyer|Sawyer]] was an interim president of Liberia in the mid-1990s.
* [[United Nations Mission in Liberia]], United Nations Secretary-General's Report on UNMIL, released August 10, 2009

==Further reading==
* Ahadzi, 'Failure of Domestic Politics..,' in Omeje, Kenneth. "War to peace transition: conflict intervention and peacebuilding in Liberia." (2009).
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090904044942/http://www.usip.org/resources/security-sector-reform-liberia-domestic-considerations-and-way-forward Bekoe, Dorina, and Parajon, Christina, ''Security Sector Reform in Liberia: Domestic Considerations and the Way Forward'', United States Institute of Peace, April 2007]
* Dunn, D. Elwood, 'Liberia and the United States during the Cold War: Limits of Reciprocity,' Palgrave Macmillan, 2009, {{ISBN|978-0-230-61735-3}}
* Global Witness, [http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/97/en/taylor_made Taylor-made: The Pivotal Role of Liberia's Forests and Flag of Convenience in Regional Conflict] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902215343/http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/97/en/taylor_made |date=September 2, 2010 }}, September 2001
* Renanah Miles Joyce, “A Force for Good”: Army-Building After War in Liberia. ''The Journal of the Middle East and Africa,'' vol. 11, no. 3 (2020), 273–293. https://doi.org/10.1080/21520844.2020.1798672
* Sean McFate, [http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=1181 Building Better Armies: An Insider's Account of Liberia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223035958/http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=1181 |date=December 23, 2016 }}, Strategic Studies Institute, November 2013
* McFate, Sean, {{cite web |url= http://usacac.army.mil/CAC/milreview/English/JulAug07/McFate.pdf |title= ''The Art and Aggravation of Vetting in Post-Conflict Environments'' |access-date= March 3, 2008 |archive-date= July 21, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110721094742/http://usacac.army.mil/CAC/milreview/English/JulAug07/McFate.pdf |url-status= dead }}&nbsp;{{small|(1.55&nbsp;MB)}} ''[http://usacac.army.mil/CAC/milreview/index.asp Military Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212153705/http://usacac.army.mil/CAC/milreview/index.asp |date=December 12, 2007 }}'', July–August 2007.
* {{Cite journal|last=Robinson|first=Colin|date=2017-03-04|title=How might Democratisation Affect Military Professionalism in Africa? Reviewing the Literature|journal=Small Wars & Insurgencies|volume=28|issue=2|pages=385–400|doi=10.1080/09592318.2017.1288404|s2cid=152193525|issn=0959-2318}} (includes section on Liberian military professionalism)
* United States Africa Command, Social Sciences Research Center, "Civilian and Enlisted Perspectives on the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): A Qualitative Research Study Report", September 2010, accessible at [http://carllevan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Liberia-Study-Final-AFRICOM-scrat.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202005441/http://carllevan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Liberia-Study-Final-AFRICOM-scrat.pdf |date=February 2, 2017 }}
* United States Department of State, Foreign Relations of the United States, [http://images.library.wisc.edu/FRUS/EFacs/1950v05/reference/frus.frus1950v05.i0024.pdf Principal Policies and Problems in the Relations of the United States with Liberia, 1950] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118221252/http://images.library.wisc.edu/FRUS/EFacs/1950v05/reference/frus.frus1950v05.i0024.pdf |date=January 18, 2017 }}, pages 1712–1714, 1721, 1723–29 note the beginning of the U.S. military aid mission.

== External links ==
{{commons category-inline|Military of Liberia}}

* {{cite web |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201707070493.html |title=Liberia: AFL Soldier Faces Drugs Trail |quote=A member of the AFL has been arraigned in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County to answer to an alleged possession of marijuana on Wednesday. According to a local journalist, Private Jenkins Toe of the Engineering Department [sic – Company] of the AFL was arrested by officers of the Drugs Enforcement Agency for allegedly travelling with 4 kgs [sic] of marijuana. |work=Capitol Times |location=Monrovia |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=July 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709174438/http://allafrica.com/stories/201707070493.html |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |url-status=dead }}
* [https://allafrica.com/stories/201911040606.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213132008/https://allafrica.com/stories/201911040606.html |date=December 13, 2019 }} – in November 2018 a soldier of the AFL deployed to cover a sports match sustained wounds from an unintentional shooting from the EPS at the SKD Stadium outside Monrovia.

{{Liberia topics}}
{{Military of Africa}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armed Forces Of Liberia}}
[[Category:Government of Liberia]]
[[Category:Military of Liberia]]
[[Category:1900s establishments in Liberia]]