Africa-Press – Liberia. The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Deputy of Staff, Brigadier General Geraldine J. George has highlighted major achievements that the gallant men and women have taken over the course of the year and their own contribution towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at MICAT regular press briefing on Thursday at the grounds of the Ministry, Brigadier General George said the AFL has taken several activities towards peace building within the country which include roads construction, renovation of schools and clinics, market buildings, medical outreach, and support to the Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) and the Executive Protection Service (EPS).
She indicated that the AFL coast guard has been preventing smuggling at sea, aiding maritime and enforcing standards within Liberia territorial waters, adding that the gallant men and women of the AFL have also been effective in fishing patrols and ensuring that ships licenses are renewed at all times which increase Government revenue.
The AFL Brigadier General pointed out that the AFL engineering battalion is currently working at the Omega market to create space for marketers, building sidewalls for pedestrians and defusing explosives from communities around the country and taking residue left during the civil war.
She expressed that the AFL has made some significant contribution towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic which includes; the transportation of medical equipment, enforcement of masks wearing and building tanks for medical personnel, noting that 50% of the AFL soldiers has taken the AstraZeneca vaccine and is mandatory for all AFL personnel to be vaccinated be it AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
She disclosed that in 2013, 45 AFL personnel departed the country for Mali and has now had a sizeable contingent currently, adding that based on their professional work, the United Nations (UN) has asked them to increase their personnel and have also being upgraded from camp security to base security, escorts for VIP and UN personnel.
“We have 14 military staff in Mali, four military observers in both Sudan, additionally the United States of America has increased the AFL budget to International Military Education (IME),” she noted, citing that the AFL used to have six slots but has now increased to all personnel, including top personnel.
George further pointed out that the AFL as of 2021 has started participating in the U. S. Multi strike training and carries 16 personnel to partake in the training and have returned after completion.
