Barclay Training Center, Monrovia-Brigadier General (Brig Gen) George Dietrich, Chief of Logistics, United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), visited the High Command of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) at the Barclay Training Center on April 28, 2025.
Upon arrival, Brig Gen Dietrich was warmly received by the AFL Chief of Staff, Major General (Maj Gen) Davidson Fayiah Forleh and given high military honors by the presence of the AFL Honor Guard and the AFL Marching Band. He was given a colorful red carpet reception. Immediately following the high honors bestowed on Brig Gen Dietrich, Maj Gen Forleh seized the opportunity to introduce his entire staff to his guest.
During a brief meeting, Maj Gen Forleh welcomed Brig Gen Dietrich to Liberia and wished him a safe and enjoyable visit. The AFL boss, gave a brief overview of the historicity and commonalities in the all-time relationship between Liberia and the United States by emphasizing the military doctrines of both countries.
He further connected this all-time relationship to Liberia’s first President, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, the naming of Liberia’ capital after former US President, James Monroe and the glaring similarities in both countries national colors (flags).
Maj Gen Forleh recounted that among other factors, the AFL stands tall in the sub-region and beyond as a “Force for Good” because of United States tax payers money that saw the resurgence, restructuring and continuous training of AFL personnel.
He thanked the US Government through AFRICOM for selecting Liberia to host the third US AFRICOM West Africa Logistics Conference that is expected to hold in August this year (2025). Maj Gen Forleh concluded by informing his guest that as AFL prepares for the logistics conference, arrangements for the shipment of the twenty million United States Dollars’ worth of military equipment donated to Liberia by the Africa Union are nearing completion.
For his part, Brig Gen Dietrich thanked the AFL High Command for the warm and colorful reception and stated that it was an obvious and inevitable choice for the AFL to host the third US AFRICOM West Africa Logistics Conference because of its outstanding roles in previous conferences.
He indicated that it would be a fantastic opportunity for the AFL to host the third conference since representatives from the US Department of Defense will be in attendance.
Brig Gen Dietrich encouraged the AFL to use the conference to showcase the significant roles Liberia plays in the sub-region. The visiting Brig Gen concluded by informing the AFL High Command that US AFRICOM is looking forward to help maintain the donated military equipment with training of personnel and the provision spare parts upon arrival.
The West Africa Logistics Conference is an opportunity that brings together the entire sub-region to discuss common logistics issues that could be solved collectively. The conference also affords the host nation a valuable chance to demonstrate the highlights of its military structure and force.
