U.S. Army Africa: Liberia Security Sector Reform

[darrels joy]

U.S. Army Africa: Liberia Security Sector Reform

What is it?

Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Africa and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa are leading the U.S. military's effort to build security capacity in Liberia.

Liberia struggled through two civil wars in recent years and is now making efforts to build a professional military that supports peace and stability.

The unique program, known as Liberia Security Sector Reform, is a U.S. State Department-led initiative to help rebuild the Armed Forces of Liberia. U.S. Army Africa began supporting the effort in recent months. The joint program, which is coordinated through the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, includes more than a dozen U.S. Army NCOs, a team of U.S. Marines and civilian mentors.

What has U.S. Army Africa done?

Two senior noncommissioned officers from U.S. Army Africa recently deployed from their unit headquarters in Vicenza, Italy. They will spend five months in a mentorship role alongside Liberian forces at two camps near the capital, Monrovia: Camp Sandi Ware and Edward Binyah Kesselly Military Barracks.

One NCO is an expert in tactical military operations. The other has nearly two decades experience in logistics. Together they are engaging Liberian troops in ways that have already led to positive change. Meanwhile, a contingent of NCOs from the 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery Regiment - detached across the continent from CJTF-HOA, in Djibouti - are supporting the mentorship program. Together, with other U.S. military members from U.S. Africa Command and contracted civilian mentors, Army Soldiers are building a partnership for future engagements of this kind.







View the complete STAND-TO!


http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2009/04/17/