Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf inspects Armed

Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf inspects Armed Forces of Liberia soldiers during a pre-deployment ceremony at Roberts International Airport June 20, 2013, as they await for their deployment to Mali. Forty-six AFL soldiers are deploying to Mali to support peacekeeping operations - the first deployment for the country in approximately 50 years. For nearly five months, U.S. service members deployed to Liberia with Operation ONWARD LIBERTY have been advising the AFL soldiers in an intensive pre-deployment course in preparation for their deployment to Mali to conduct peacekeeping operations. ONWARD LIBERTY is a U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa-led operation comprised of joint U.S. service members who mentor and advise the AFL in order to develop a national military that is responsible, operationally capable and respectful of civilian authority and the rule of law. OOL’s goal is to assist the AFL in building a professional and capable military force that can effectively contribute to the overall security environment in Liberia. OOL personnel continue to mentor AFL leaders and training staff at all levels to ensure the deploying platoon is properly trained and equipped to succeed in partner-nation operations in Mali and to represent Liberia as a legitimate, capable and professional force for good. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Brian Bahret)