An Armed Forces of Liberia range control officer helps

An Armed Forces of Liberia range control officer helps instruct a fellow AFL soldier in advanced marksmanship techniques during advanced marksmanship training at Edward Binyah Kesselly Military Barracks rifle range Feb. 22. A total of 44 Armed Forces of Liberia soldiers completed the week-long course, which incorporated soldiers from across the AFL’s 23rd Infantry Brigade. The main focus of the course was teaching the AFL soldiers reflexive fire, which is handling a weapon while conducting movement. Other skills taught included close quarter combat tactics, room clearing techniques and advanced marksmanship qualifying procedures. Instructors for the course were from the Michigan National Guard’s 177th Regional Training Institute. The Michigan National Guard conducts periodic specialized training to AFL units through its state partnership program. The day to day mentorship of the AFL is performed by Operation Onward Liberty, a group of approximately 50 U.S. military personnel who mentor and advise the AFL in order to develop a national military that is responsible, operationally capable, respectful of civilian authority and the rule of law, and is a force for good among the Liberian people.