Latvia Military Strength - US-Major Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General, Michigan National Guard, left, with Armed Forces of Liberia Maj. Gen. Prince C. Johnson III, AFL Chief of Staff, and Brig. Gene. Imants Ziedins, LNAF Deputy Chief of Defense, in Monrovia, Liberia, February 9, 2022. The Michigan National Guard is strengthening its state partnership program's relationship with militaries in both countries. (US National Guard Photo by Capt. Joe Legros) (Photo Credit: Capt. Joe Legros) SEE ORIGINAL
MONROVIA, Liberia - Located 700 miles south of Africa's Sahara desert and 435 miles north of the equator, Monrovia rarely gets below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a sub-Saharan coastal paradise with lush green fauna and palm trees.
Latvia Military Strength
The relationship with the United States is deep and undeniable. Liberia was the first African country to declare independence, led by the American Colonization Society in the early to mid-1800s. The capital Monrovia is named after James Monroe, the founding father and fifth president of the US. The Liberian flag also resembles the American flag. The original designs were sewn together by formerly enslaved black people born in the United States.
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"The relationship with the United States is strong: Ten of the first 12 Liberian presidents were born in the United States," said Michael McCarthy, the US ambassador to Liberia.
In November 2009, the relationship became stronger when the Michigan National Guard (MING) began partnering with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) under the Country Partnership Program (SPP). MING has also partnered with the Latvian National Armed Forces (LNAF) under the program since 1993. In the new partnership, the Michigan Guard has assisted Liberia with its medical response to infectious diseases, engineering support and the exchange of military best practices.
The SPP is unique in that it links the National Guard of a state with the military forces of a partner nation in a mutually beneficial military relationship. Michigan has hosted a variety of Latvian and liberal service members, from generals to infantrymen, in key leadership engagements and live-fire exercises during training events such as Northern Strike, held annually at the National Domain-Wide Warfare Center (NADWC) in the north . Michigan.
The partnership was mostly MING/Latvia and MING/Liberia until recently. Military leaders from all three entities met in Michigan last year to discuss increased interoperability and mutual support between Liberia and Latvia. To strengthen the relationship, three SPP partners held a major leadership engagement in Monrovia on February 4-13.
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"It just makes sense," said US Capt. Rob Mason, MING Security Cooperation Division Desk Officer for US European Command (EUCOM). "Latvia and MING have learned a lot from each other during our nearly 30-year partnership, and this is a great opportunity to gain new understanding through joint exchanges with our AFL counterparts."
"The Latvian military is highly respected in NATO, and they have served several times with MING soldiers in Afghanistan. In addition, the country plans to host a large multinational military exercise in Europe in the coming months," said Bugan. "There is no reason why Latvia and Liberia cannot share their unique experiences and expertise with each other, especially since Liberia closed its multinational non-commissioned officer academy."
Latvian and Liberian military personnel regularly travel to other countries, exchanging best practices with regional partners and NATO allies, including the United States, to build military expertise and conduct peacekeeping missions.
Col. Ravi Wagh, MING state operations officer (J3), attended the US War College with AFL military leadership. He also leads the Indiana National Guard's 54th Security Forces Assistance Brigade (SFAB), assisting and advising foreign forces. Wagh's visit to Monrovia in February was the latest in a long line of SPP engagements since 2014.
Latvia (1919 1940)
"Sharing military expertise and resources between partner countries is not a new concept," said Wagh. "However, the fact that Michigan played an important role in facilitating this exchange between Latvia and Liberia is very exciting. It demonstrates the exceptional skill and leadership of our state's National Guard.
MING has sent travel liaison teams to Liberia and Latvia several times to strengthen ties, provide medical and technical support, and develop the military expertise of service members.
"In the past year, we have coordinated visits to Liberia by MING engineer units such as the 107th Engineer Battalion, as well as medical support from the 110th Wing, 127th Wing and 126th Infantry Regiment," said Maj. Jason Everts, bilateral MING affairs officer. to the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Liberia. "The 107th assisted with several projects including perimeter reinforcement and placement of concertina wire around key facilities."
The MING medical team assisted in many areas, including the grand opening of a military hospital in Monrovia in September that serves military personnel and civilians.
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"Michigan has been a great partner for us," said AFL Major Joseph Kowo, hospital commander. "They helped us make this the first military hospital in the history of the country."
Kowo noted that the hospital has a lower rate of COVID deaths than others across the country, largely due to military training and assistance from MING during the recent Ebola outbreak.
The AFL's motto is "A Force for Good." His success with the hospital says something about the Liberian military's determination to make a positive difference in the country.
"The reports from the United Nations and other partners all speak volumes about the AFL's hard work and professionalism," added Wagh.
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In addition, all three partners share the goal of strengthening their numbers and increasing diversity. U.S. Major General Paul Rogers, MING Adjutant General, saw this firsthand while passing through the hospital.
"This is a very progressive hospital and military force," Rogers said. "Many women now serve on staff at the hospital, including Liberian-born Dr. Zoe Parwan, the chief medical officer for the facility. Additionally, female AFL soldiers or spouses of current service members serve in key roles ranging from neonatal care to medical triage.
"The logical outcome of the tripartite relationship is for the LNAF and the AFL to conduct joint training," Rogers said. "All three SPP partners are here in Liberia to discuss the next steps to make this happen. It's really important and mutually beneficial.
Liberian Major General Prince C. Johnson III, AFL Chief of Staff, gave some insight during the engagement on how far the AFL has come.
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"We went from being the seventh worst organization in the country during the Civil War era to one of the best and most respected armies in the region," Johnson said. "MING has played a huge role in developing our capabilities. We look forward to what's next."
Johnson said the AFL had moved from observation exercises such as Northern Strike to training in similar tactics and supporting other militaries in the region.
"We have expanded to three other partner countries. We also have an operational presence in Mali, our northern neighbor. Johnson said.
Also attending the engagement of the main leader in February was Brig. General Imants Ziedins, Deputy Chief of Defense for Latvia. He shared how his army is also operating in Mali, along with Liberia and many other countries.
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"We look forward to continuing to grow this partnership," Ziedins said. "We can all benefit from training in a more operational environment." Members of the Latvian National Guard at a military exercise in Strenci, Latvia, in May. Photo: Valda Kalniņa/EPA
Latvia will restore compulsory military service amid tensions with Russia following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
"Latvia's current military system has reached its limits. Meanwhile, we have no reason to think that Russia will change its behavior," Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks told reporters on Tuesday.
Latvia abolished compulsory service a few years after joining the NATO military alliance. Since 2007, EU member armies have consisted of career soldiers alongside National Guard volunteers who serve part-time in the infantry on weekends.
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The country of less than 2 million people, which borders Belarus and Russia, has just 7,500 active-duty soldiers and National Guard members, supported by 1,500 NATO troops.
Pabriks said the mandatory military service requirement applies only to men and will take effect next year, with several options available.
Gatis Priede, a National Guard soldier, called the move "the best news" and said the decision should have been made after Russia seized Crimea in 2014.
Pabriks also announced plans to build another military base near the southeastern town of Jēkabpils, closer to the Russian border than the existing base in Ādaži. Latvian Army. The concept of Defse Latvia is based on mobile professional rapid reaction forces and reserve segments that can be called up relatively quickly for mobilization when the need arises. The National Army consists of the Army, Navy, Air Force and National Guard. Its main task is to protect the country's territory; participate in international military operations; and threats to national security.
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The mission of the National Armed Forces (NAF) is defense
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