Armed Forces of Liberia 1st. Lt. Nathaniel Waka discusses his platoon’s course performance with U.S. Marine Corps 1st. Lt. Robert Rivera, AFL engineer mentor, and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gregory Starace, AFL Armed Forces Training Command mentor, during an improvised explosive device recognition course provided by Operation ONWARD LIBERTY mentors at Edward Binyah Kesselly Military Barracks May 3. The participating soldiers encountered a variety of IED scenarios during the course and learned how to recognize and react to them safely and effectively ahead of an eventual deployment to Mali. ONWARD LIBERTY is a U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa-led operation comprised of joint U.S. servicemembers 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.