NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 51; LIBERIA; ARMED FORCES

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Liberia
December 1973
NATIONAL INTILLI(ANCL SURVEY
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y.
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Liberia
CONTENTS
This chapter supersedes the armed forces cover
age in the General Survey dated February 1971
A. Defense establishment
1
1. Historical
1
2. Command structure
2
B. joint activities
2
1. Military manpower
o,
2. Strength trends
4
3. Training
5
4. Military budget
5
5. Logistics
6
C. Ground forces
6
1. Organization
7
2. Strength, composition, and disposition
7
3. Training
8
4. Logistics
9
5. Army aviation
9
D Navy
10
CONFIDENTIAL

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FIGURES
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Page
Page
Fig. 1
Liberian Armed Forces photos)
2
Fig. 8
81 -mm mortar project photo)
7
Fig. 2
Liberian Armed Forces organization_
Fig. 7
Civic action project (photo)
8
chart)
3
Fig. 8
Training exercise photo)
9
Fig, 3
Fig. 4
Tubman Military Academy photo)
Armored car (photo)
5
g
Fig. 9
Cessna 150 aircraft and maintenance
Fig. 5
Executive Mansion Guard Battalion
officer (photo)
9
photo)
7
F ig. 10
Coast Guard's motor gunboat photo)
10

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Armed Forces
A. Defense establishment
The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), with a total of
24,400 men, are organized into four components.
About 4,200 men make up the active duty ground
forces of the Liberian National Guard (LNG), which
provides the first line of land defenses. The Militia,
forming the second line of land defenses, is made up of
a res force of approximately 20,000. The 170 -man
Liberian National Coast Guard LNCG) provides
coastal and territori water security. Reconnaissance
and aviation support for the army is provided by the
17 -mar Aviation Unit. in addition there is a 1,300
man National Police Force, under the Minister of
Just' -e, which is capable of making some contribution
in au.gmenting the operation of the AFL. (C)
The Defense establishment is tasked with providing
national defense and internal security and also with
assisting in national development through c ivic action
programs. The National Guard has little capacity for
sustained combat but is capable of quelling local civil
disturbances and riots. The aviation element in the
National Guard serves mainly in logistical support and
liaison roles, but is capable of limited search and
rescue and patrol functions. The Coast Guard, with
only one motor gunboat and two srrrall harbor patrol
craft, is capable of conducting only limited coastal
patrols. The Militia, led mostly by political
appointees, would be incapable of performing most
military missions, (C)
The hulk of Liberia's forces are concentrated near
the capital, Monrovia, for internal security purposes.
No threat to Liberia is posed by any neighboring
country, although a latent distrust of Guinea
occasionally surfaces. As a deterrent to hostilities from
bordering stales the Liberian Government has strongly
encouraged regional cooperation, but has steered clear
of any formal agreements on defense matters. Guinea
and Sierra Leone on several occasions have asked
i.iberia to participate in their mutual defense pact.
These requests were rejected both by former President
Tubman and by President Tolbert. however, in April
F;
a
1973 Tolbert did assure the President of Sierra Leone
that no activity hostile to his regime would be allowed
in Liberia. (C)
Liberia is a member of the Organization of African
Unitv, which has a Defense Commission. An
Agreement of Cooperation between the United States
and Liberia provides that, in the eN nt of aggression
against Liberia, the two governments will immedi-
ately determine what action may he appropriate for
Liberia's defense. The U.Jted States is also allowed to
use the port of Monrovia and Roberts international
Airfield in time of emergency. (C)
I. Historical (U`/0U)
in 1848 the Lihcrian legislature established a War
Department, now the Ministry of National Defense,
charged with the responsibility of organizing, training
and maintaining an annv. The permanent military
force was first organized in 1908 as the Frontier Force
and was redesignated the Liberian Natioral Guard
(LNG) on 1 February 1962 (Figure 1).
The armed forces have only modest military
traditions, based on actions taken to suppress tribal
rebellions in the interior before World War 11. The
forces did not enter cornhat in either of the World
Wars, although Liberia declared war on Germany
both tithes. During 1962 -63 Liberia provided a
reinforced security company of about 235 men to the
United Nations Operations, Congo, on a rotational
basis. individuals assigned to these securih
detachments were drawn from all units of the
National Guard.
Since 1912, U.S. officers have served as military
advisers or staff officers to the Liberian Government or
as commanders or staff officers of Liberian forces.
There has been a U.S. Military Mission in Liberia
since 1951.
The naval force, known as the Liberian National
Coast Guard (LNCG), was established in 1957. Since
that year U.S. Coast Guard or Navy personnel
attached to the U.S. Military Mission have been
assigned as advisers to the LNCG. The LNCG has had
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FIGURE 1. Liberian Armed Forces at
the turn of the century (top) and
during the Tubman funeral ceremonies
in 1971 (U/OU)
no combat experience but has engaged in successful
patrols to curb unauthorized fishing and smuggling
activities.
2. Command structure (C)
The President of Liberia is Commander in Chief of
the Armed Forces (Figure 2). Ile exercises command
through the Department of National Defense, whose
head, the Minister of National Defense, is it Cabinet
member. The ininistcr is assisted by it Deputy Minister
of Defense. Responsible to the ininistcr are the
Assistant Ministers of Defense for Coast Guard Affairs
I f MAI: Aff
is a major ge neral and assistant chiefs of staff for
personnel (G -1), intelligence (G -2), operation and
training (G -3), and logistics (G -4). Largely because of
their joint service responsibilities the logistics and
training commands, the signal company, the engineer
battalion quid the aviation unit are directly responsible
to arnwd forces headquarters. The. conlmanders of the
Militia and the Coast Guard officially are responsible
to their respective assistant ministers through the Chief
of St of the Armed Forces, but the latter frequently
is hypasse.d in the issuance and execution of orders.
an( or i u i u....1. ,..,e .Nh.,r.,.... ....M..re .....nor -,r ,m�. r r v.. r"'??iF' r... 'fl"i..
r
physically fit for military service. The distribution by
age groups was is follows:
TOTAL
President
NUMBER
NUMBER FIT FOR
and
OF MALES
MILITARY SERVICE
15 -19
Commander.in -Chia(
I
50,000
20 -24
72,000
Minister of
25 -29
63,000
35,000
National Defense
56,000
30,000
35 -39
48,000
25,000
40 -44
41,000
15,000
45-49
33,000
7,
Assistant Minister
Assistant Minister
for
for
Militia Affairs
Coast Guard Affairs
Chief of Stall
Armed Forces
Headquarters
Engineer
Logistical A ahon
Militia
Trainin Si nal National
B g
"i Command Unit
Coast
Command Company
Battalion
Guard
Notional Guard
Brigade
Heodguarmrs
I
Headquanert Eaacufiro Mansion Bella Yella Service
le Field 1st Infantry
Company Guard Battalion
Notional Pridon Support Scout Platoon Artillery Battalion Bonalion
Security Detachment Battalion
2nd
Headquarters.
5th
Chaplin
Military Medical Honor
Company
Bad Company Company Gur.rd Unit
Corps
FIGURE 2. Liberian Armed Forces organization (C)
physically fit for military service. The distribution by
age groups was is follows:
Total, 15 -49 395,000 210,000
From 1973 -77 the number of men who will reach
18, or the average age of military enlistment, will be
about 17,0(x) annually. 'There is no conscription in
Liberia so that the National Guard is maintained b
voluntary enlistments. All males between the ages of
16 and 35 are required to enlist in the Militia, but ti
law is not strictly enforced There is no difficulty in
obtaining it sufficient number of ifpp!icants for officer
and enlisted ranks, but the basic problem in manning
the AFI, is the relatively small number of literate and
educationally qualified persons available to fill
vacancies, or even to undertake training. Furthermore,
poor benefits do not make the AFL attractive to the
small group of prospective personnel whose services
are in demand by various agencies of the government,
business, and foreign technical assistance programs.
Although 2 years of ROTC is a required subject for
males in Liberian colleges, it does not assure an
individual a commission, which is attained either
through Officer Candidate School or by Presidential
appointment.
The stratification that prevails in much of Liberia's
social, economic, and political life is reflected to a
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TOTAL
MAXIMUM
NUMBER
NUMBER FIT FOR
ACE
OF MALES
MILITARY SERVICE
15 -19
82,000
50,000
20 -24
72,000
40,000
25 -29
63,000
35,000
30 -34
56,000
30,000
35 -39
48,000
25,000
40 -44
41,000
15,000
45-49
33,000
15,000
Total, 15 -49 395,000 210,000
From 1973 -77 the number of men who will reach
18, or the average age of military enlistment, will be
about 17,0(x) annually. 'There is no conscription in
Liberia so that the National Guard is maintained b
voluntary enlistments. All males between the ages of
16 and 35 are required to enlist in the Militia, but ti
law is not strictly enforced There is no difficulty in
obtaining it sufficient number of ifpp!icants for officer
and enlisted ranks, but the basic problem in manning
the AFI, is the relatively small number of literate and
educationally qualified persons available to fill
vacancies, or even to undertake training. Furthermore,
poor benefits do not make the AFL attractive to the
small group of prospective personnel whose services
are in demand by various agencies of the government,
business, and foreign technical assistance programs.
Although 2 years of ROTC is a required subject for
males in Liberian colleges, it does not assure an
individual a commission, which is attained either
through Officer Candidate School or by Presidential
appointment.
The stratification that prevails in much of Liberia's
social, economic, and political life is reflected to a
3
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lesser degree in the armed forces. Virtually all of the
enlisted men are recruited from among the tribal
elements of the population (over 95% of total
population). The officer corps is split roughly in half
between those from a completely tribal ancestry and
the Americo Liberians. Most senior ranking militia
officers are of Americo Liberian origin and are
political appointees.
Morale of enlisted men in the National Guard i-
generally poor, because of low pay, inadequate
quarters, and deficiencies in support and leadership.
Tic older, less educated officers, spend much of their
time engaged in private enterprises, thus setting a poor
example for their subordinates and creating an
environment nearly devoid of discipline. Some
enlisted personnel act as servants or are assigned
similar chores in the households of members of the
ruling elite. Many perform other nonmilitary tasks,
such as guarding government agencies or tax
collecting. Such assignments are demoralizing and are
detrimental to military proficiency. '['be absence of
retirement benefits until January 1973 discouraged
voluntary separation and contributed to the practice
of retaining feeble and ineffective officers and enlisted
men. A rather bizarre example of the abuses of this
policy was the retention on active duty of a 76 -year
old 1st Lieutenant. The new retirement plan should
induce earlier departures and provide an incentive for
career personnel. Traditionally, LNG personnel have
been complacent about the shortcomings of Liberian
military standards, but recently they have become
increasingly open in their criticism of the government,
especially regarding financial mismanagement.
Delays in pay and forced contributions to a national
fund sparked an uprising in one hattalion in
December 1972. 'These issues and general discontent
with the Tolbert government nurtured serious coup
plotting by the Assistant Minister of Defense for Coast
Guard Affairs and several senior officers, all of wh ;n
were arrested in March 1973. Such actions called into
question the long -time steadfast loyalty of the
military. Shaken by these events, the administr. -ation
will probably take corrective action to eradicate sonic
of the potentially combustible conditions present in
the armed forces.
Liberia's reserve force, the Militia, is organized into
a division with 16 understrength regiments. With
substantial administrative and technical support from
foreign sources, the National Guard might be
expanded by activating the Militia. The Militia is so
loosely organized and administrated that it is virtuallv
impossible to determine actual strength or mission
capability. The estimated strength of the Militia is
4
s:
20,000. Weapons and ammunition are almost
nonexistant in Militia units. There is no means of
logistical support and no heavy fire units. Militia units
muster for drills on a sporadic basis normally with very
poor turnouts. Militiamen could effectively be used as
guards, supplements to local police forces, intelligence
gatherers in their local area, or for eremonial
purposes. However, hindered by inadequate training
and insufficient arms, toe majority of Militia troops
would be ineffective in a combat mle.
2. Strength trends
The personnel strength of the ground forces has
gradually but steadily increased since 1951. In the
early 1960's the Militia reached an estimated strength
of 20,000 and has remained fairly constant. National
Guard strength has been generally increasing since the
early 1960's. The Coast Guard has increased from 76
men in 1961 to its 1973 strength of 170 officers and
enlisted men.' The following tabulation shows the
approximate strength of the armed forces of I January
for each year designated:
YEAR NATIONAL GUARD MILITIA COAST GUARD
1947 1,000 5,000
1961 2,000 na 76
1964 3,000 20,000 100
1967 3,400 20,000 110
1968 3,800 20,000 115
1970 4,400 20,000 130
i972 5,200 20,000 160
1973 4,200 20,000 170
na Data not available.
Not pertinent.
A move by the government in 1976 to increase and
upgrade the armed forces brought in over 1,500 new
recruits. The actual increase, however, was much less,
duc tc a simultaneous paring process which removed
old and incompetent personnel. At the beginning of
1973 the President directed a reduction of the activL
AFL to an authorized strength of 4,000, excluding the
200 -man ceremonial band. Many reductions took
place in February 1973, which came in the form of
voluntary and forced retirements and general
discharge for causes ranging from unfitness to "general
worthlessness." At the same time as the reduction in
force, a retirement pay system was also instituted. The
net effect should be a smaller but more highly
qualified force.
'For current detailed information, see Military Intelligence
Sumniary, puhlished semiannually by the Defense Intelligence
Agency.
I 1V
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3. Training
The armed forces rely almost exclusively on the
United States for training assistance. The U.S.
Military Mission to Liberia (LIBMISH), established
in 1951, assists in all troop training programs. The
Liberian National Guard language school, assisted by
LIBMISH personnel, conducts English- language
classes in an attempt to upgrade the literacy level of
armed forces personnel. An important function of
LIBMISH is the selection and sponsorship of military
personnel to attend training schools in the United
States; over 400 Liberians have taken some 700 courses
since 1951. The LIBMISH sponsorship program is
being significantly curtailed. Emphasis is now placed
on logistics and training courses in an attempt to build
a Liberian cadre of instructors capable of conducting
their own training program.
The John Hilary Tubman Military Academy
(TMA), Liberia's main military training center, is
operated by personnel of the Training Comma rd
(Figure 3). Recruit, noncommissioned officer, and
officer training are conducted at the academy. Recruit
training is of 12 weeks duration and is patterned after
basic training in the U.S. Army. Training includes
weapons instruction, small unit tactics, and a variety
of classroom instruction. The first large group of
recruits completed training in Decernher 1969. The
Liberian NCO Training School, formerly at Camp
Schieffelin, became a permanent part of the Tubman
Military Academy in February 1969. The first basic
officers training class graduated from the academy in
April 1970. This course is a 12 -week program
conducted primarily by Training Command per-
sonnel, supplemented by guest instructors from the
U.S. Military Mission and the Liberian General Staff.
Enrollment in the basic officer course is also open to
Militia officers. In 1971 the academy conducted a 6-
month Officers Candidate School. The school is
attended by enlisted personnel who receive a
commission upon completion of the course.
While the TMA has offered a variety of courses,
there is no ongoing regularly scheduled program of
courses. Most courses are run on an as- needed basis.
One reason for the sporadic operation of TMA is the
nonavailability of TDY funds. Once a cadre of
instructors is established, it is hoped that the academy
will offer courses on a regular, recurring basis.
Since 1970 each Militia regiment has been directed
to conduct 1 -day. assemblies quarterly. Militia training
centers on basic military subjects such as drill and
ceremonies. Riot control, marksmanship, and small
unit tactics, as well as field sanitation and personnel
hygiene, may also be included in some training
programs.
Students participate in the Army Student Training
Program af. Booker Washington Institut� and in the
ROTC at the University of Liberia and Cuttington
College. The ROTC has been a totally ineffective
"marching society," and students do not necessarily
receive commissions in the officer corps upon
graduation.
4. Military budget
The military budget for Liberia's small armed forces
is prepared by the Department of National Defense,
incorporated into the National budget by the Budget
Bureau, and then presented to the legislature for
review. Final enactment, however, depends upon the
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FIGURE 3. Tubman Military Academy (U /OU)
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FIGURE 3. Tubman Military Academy (U /OU)

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personal approval of the president. Defense budgets
for the years 1 .968 through 1973 were as follows:
1968 1969 1970 1971 1972
Defense budget* 2.9 3.2 3.4 4.0 3.3
Defense budget as a percent
of total national budget 5.2 5.4 5.2 5.6 4.6
Defense budget as a percent
of estimated GNP 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.0
*Millions of U.S. dollars.
Liberia has two distinctly separate economies �a
foreign -:managed economy based upon the exploita-
tion of the country's natural resources (primarily iron
ore and rubber) and an indigenous economy based
primarily upon subsistence agriculture. The country
can provide only limited financial support for its
arned forces, and domestic production of military
equipment is restricted to personal quartermaster
items. This situation greatly inhibits training and
operations since there is a constant sc r.lrcity of
petroleum, maintenance parts, and TDY funds.
5. Logistics
The Assistant (thief of Staff, G --1, has staff
responsihility for logistical operations of the National
Guard, the Coast Guard, an(] the Militia. The
Logistical Command, headed by a lieutenant colonel,
conducts clay -to -day logistical operations and consists
of a headquarters, depot (consolidated supply and
maintenance), arsenal, and a transportation company.
The logistical system is inefficient and inadequate,
although some progress is being made uxler
LIBMIS11 supervision by the logistics command
adviser. Maintenance standing operating procedures
are being established, and supplies at military dep�rts
are tieing segregated and relocated to increase
efficiency. Storage facilities are located in and near
Monrovia. The main depot at Carp Schieffelin, 20
miles southeast of Monrovia, is hindered by poor
leadership and a lack of communications and skilled
personnel. Inefficient supply requisitioning and
stockage procedures greatly inhibit an effective depot
operation. A recent warehouse inventory disclosed that
25% of the stock items Nvere excess to AFI, needs;
many parts were for equipment never even stocked by
the AFL. There are two ,arsenals for storage of arms
and
equipment, one in Monrovia and one in
Schieffelin.
The United States has been Liberia's principal
supplier of military equipment, providing material
valued at over $9 million, mostly on a grant basis;
however, the U.S. Military Assistance Program to
Liberia will terminate at the end of 1973. The
s yPTlgr -.fin
government is currently negotiating a $2 million FMS
package which will include artillery, ground trans-
portation, communications, aircraft, patrol boats,
and numerous concurrent spare parts and nwinte-
nance kits. Weapons and ectuipnent supplied by
countries other than the United Stales are very
limited. Liberia has purchased UZI suhmac�hineguns
and Belgium FN rifles from Israel. MOX\'AG armored
ears from Switzerland (Figure 4) and trucks from
Japan.
Transportation is an area of marginal capability.
Despite I continuing training program, the de-
velopment of competent drivers, operators, zinc]
repairmen is a slow process. General- purpose vehicles
are in short supply, and maintenance is inadequate at
the unit level. Cannibalization of inoperative vehicles
is prevalent. Moor roads, inclement weather, and
vehicle abuse take a heavy toll of�availablc equip-
ment.
C. Ground forces (C)
The regular army, called the Libeiian National
Guard to emphasize its primarily defensive function. is
charged with the mission of maintaining internal
security and national defense. It also has a civic action
mission which has been strongly emphasized in the
absence of any external threat to the countn. Despite
efforts to upgrade the force, the National Guard is
handicapped by inadequate training, poor logistics,
and lack of capable leaders. The guard has little
capacity for sustained combat but is capable W
qurelling local civil disturbances and riots. liven with
police assistance, however, the National Guard wonld
he hard pressed to control widespread internal
disorders, and could offer a?nl� token resistance against
a well- planned attack from any neighboring c�onntry.
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FIGURE 4. Swiss -built MOWAC armored cars (U /OU)
6
t
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FIGURE 4. Swiss -built MOWAC armored cars (U /OU)

r:rn r Stl INS? &ff
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I. Organization
The National Guard is organized into a single
Separate Brigade tinder the command of a brigadier
general.z Ile is directly subordinate to the Chief of
Staff, AFI,. The, Conmander. LNG, is assisted by a
staff for controlling the ground forces ^Icments which
consist of five infantry battalions, a field artillery
battalion, a service support battalion, and security
Units. I,iberia is broken down into three territorial
commands. An infantry battalion headquarters in
each region serves as headquarters for the commands,
Which are all under the jurisdiction of the 2nd
Regiment.
2. Strength, composition, and disposition
The total personnel strength of the National Guard
is about 4,2C,) (280 officers and 3,920 enlisted men).
The National Guard Brigade is the major tactical unit,
consisting of a headquarters company, Ist ;yiel(l
Artillery Battalion, the Bella fella National Prison
Security Dchtchnent, a scout platoon (armored cars),
it service support battalion, an executive mansion
guard hattalion (Figure 5), and the Ist, 2nd, 3rd, 4th,
and 5th Infantry Battalions. Subordinate to the service
support battalion are a headquarters company, it
medical company, a band company, a military police
company, an honor guard unit and the Ch aplin corps.
The Ist Infantry Battalion at Carp Schieffelin and
the 2nd Infantry Battalion at Todec, both in the
vicinity of Monrovia, :rc Coll) nrnded by full colonels
and are conrposecl of five companies: a headquarters
company, three rifle companies, and it heavy %veapons
the regimental system of organization seas abolish and the
Separate Brigade estah1khed (hiring julh 1973. The change is nirrnt
to eliminate the regimental headquarters which wowd to 1w ao
administrative hollleneck and In provide lighter central control over
the suplurrt units.
company. The rifle companies arc equipped mainl
with M -1 rifles, Browning automatic rifles, .30 caliper
light tnachineguns and 60 -nun mortars. The heavy
weapons companies are armed with 81 -mm mortars
(Figure 6) and .50 caliper machineguns. The 3rd, 4th
and 5th Infantry Battalions, under the command of
the 2nd Regiment, serve as territorial commands.
Montserrado, Grand Bassa, and Grand Cape Mount
counties form one region with headquarters at the 3rd
Infantry Battalion, Barclay 'Training Center in
Monrovia. In the south, the counties of Grand jide,
Sinoe, and Maryland are under the 4th Infantry
Battalion Nyhose future headquarters Nvill he located at
Zwedru. The 5th Infantry Battalion, with it future
headquarters site at Gbanka, covers the counties of
Bang, Lofa, and Nimha in northeastern Liberia.
The territorial command battalions, the 3rd, 4th,
and 5tit. hear little. resemblance to what we Commonly
know as combat lntttalions. IlcadgUarters provides a
limited control over suboiiinate units within Nc
territories. Platoon -sized detachments are spread out
Within the area With little or no coordination bet%veen
the units. The smaller clelachnents are used mostly for
h
FIGURE b. Liberian National Guard officer assists in
removing a misfire from 81 -mm mortar (C)
FIGURE 5. Liberia's Executive Mansion Guard
Battalion (U /OU)

i
i
i
security and ceremonial purposes for county
superintendants. They also function as border guards
and tax collectors, and serve as guards for tribal chiefs
and for some major foreign business concessions. The
larger detachments normally have single sideband
radios and adequate %weapons and ammunition. The
greatest military significance is perhaps the mere
presence of the units in an area. Some semblance of a
military unit could be assembled in the event of in
external or internal threat, although only the Ist, 2nd,
and Excutive Mansion Guard (EMG) Battalions have
a rudimentary capabilit. for performing combat
missions.
The Ist Engineer Battalion provides engineer
support to the armed forces and performs civic action
projects related to construction, road maintenance,
and the repair, maintenance, and renovation of
building (Figure 7 Detachments of the battalion
have been involved in building barracks at Barclay
Training (:enter and Camp Schieffelin, and an airfield
Lit Belefaanai. The battalion's remote location at
Ca mp Jackson in Namata near the Guinea border,
contributes to lack of control; resulting in minimal
effectiveness. The battalion has a sccondary mission to
act as an infantry unit to provide internal security
when required; its capability to perform this mission is
also minimal.
The Ist Field Artillery Battalion is tasked to provide
weapons support, in the form of indirect fire (4.2 in.
mortars) and antit (tor min recoilless rifle) and
antiaircraft (.30 caliber muchincgun) fire, to the
infantry battalions and to defend the border area with
Guinea. Like the Ist Engineer Battalion, its virtual
isolation at Namata creates logistical problems which
reduce its capabilities to fulfill either mission. The .70
caliber antiaircraft guns do not have mounts and
cannot be used in in antiaircraft capacity.
IV i
Approximately three- fourths of the forces arc
concentrated within a 40-mile radius of Monrovia to
protect the capital and key facilities in the vicinity.
The interior is thinly g arrisone d by small detachments
that operate in a virtually independent status and
augment local police units in the &y to -dav task of
providing public safety.
:3. Training
The National Guard depends heavily upon courses
conducted in the United States ,der the Military
Assistance Program. U.S. Mobile 'Training Teams
ha.c conducted some specialized training courses in
Liberia. IJBMISII personnel assist in all aspects of
training and have advisers assigned to the Liberian
Armed Forces general staff, Tubman Military
Academy. LNG Brigade Ileadquaters, the Logistical
Command, the Ist and 2nd Infantry Battalions, the
Executive Mansion Guard Battalion, the Ist Engineer
Battalion, the Ist Field Artillery Battalion, and the
Military Police and Medical Companies. The Ist
Engineer Battalion adviser also assists in armed forces
civic action projects. English language courses
conducted at the academy and Camp Schieffelin have
advisers assigned on a part -time basis.
Training programs generally have lacked the
coordination and standardization needed to make
them effective. Major efforts have been taken to
upgrade training by the Training Command and
individual units, although the high illiteracy rate
remains a problem. in units without U.S. military
advisers, training is almost nonexistant. The
Presidents interest in upgrading the armed forces and
the increased training programs at the Tubman
Military Academy should help to improve proficiency
levels. The academy sporadically offers recruit, NCO,
basic officer, and officer candidate training programs
(Figure 8). Master training plans have been published
at one time or another for all major units. These plans
emphasize the development of effective teams capable
of performing operational missions. Nevertheless,
programs consist mainly of individual and small unit
training in physical fitness, drill and ceremonies, riot
control, military courtesy, and marksmanship, as well
as a variety of general military subjects. Since mid
1972, programs have included platoon and company
Army Training Tests (AT'i's), small unit tactics, and
crew served weapons instruction. Tactical training
operations for units larger than a company have not
been conducted. A small number of Liberian army
personnel have rccei�ed foreign training in Tither than
U.S. schools. Both Israel and the United Kingdom
have sponsored Liberian officers at intelligence
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URE 7. Engineers repairing road as part -if civic
on project (U /OU)

X
courses, and Liberians have been sent to Israel and
Switzerland for training on arms and equipment
purchased from these countries.
4. Logistics
The National Guard is dependent upon the
Logistical Command for maintenance and supply.
Almost all equipment and spare parts are obtained
through the U.S. Military Assistance Program. The
Logistical Command is mainly a depot operation.
Headquarters, LNG Brigade, and the regiments and
battalions of the National Guard have supply officers
(S -4's) and small supply and maintenance sections.
Most infantry companies have a supply NCO and an
armorer. Logistics in the National Guard are generally
poor. For units assigned in and around Monrovia the
logistical system operates fairly well, but units
assigned away from the capital area have extreme
difficulty obtaining supplies.
The inadequate system for supplying field rations
has been a major problem in field maneuvers; troops
nn maneuvers have relied too heavily on the logistics
system for food supply resulting in much reduced
mobility and responsiveness. in place of "C" type
rations, enlisted men now are given $15 to $30
subsistence pay for living off the local economy,
although difficulties arise when unit commanders
refuse to go on maneuvers unless TDY funds are in
hand.
Preventive maintenance in units is practically
nonexistent. Depot maintenance is improving but
cannot keep pace with the number of vehicles
damaged through neglect. There is a general lack of
funds for petroleum, batteries, and tires; however,
weapons are adequately maintained.
Supply is generally poor but is expected to improve
with new warehouse facilities and with new inventory
control and parts storage procedures. Uniforms are
purchased annually for members of the AFL;
however, there is no dependable supplier, and orders
are normally late. Locally procured items such as
petroleum, batteries, tires, paint, paper products, and
building materials are in short supply because of an
inadequate budget and mism anagement of available
funds.
5. Army aviation
The Aviation Unit (AU) is commanded by an army
colonel and is directly under the control of Armed
Forces Headquarters. Located at Spriggs -Payne
Airport in Monrovia, the unit is equipped with four
Cessna -180. one Cessna 150 (Figure 9), and one Piper
Seneca aircraft. The Piper Seneca arrived in April 1973
and is the only twin engine aircraft in the AU
inventory. None of the planes is armed, and thus the
AU has no combat role nor capability.
The prim missions performed by the unit are
logistical support for outlying military detachments of
the AFL and air transportation for senior military and
government officials. Its other responsibilities are
flying training, search and rescue, and aerial
reconnaissance in support of border and coastal
patrols, but these demand om, a small portion of the
unit's time and resources. In April and May 1972 the
Aviation Unit conducted its first combined operation
with the Coast Guard when a sweep of the coast was
made to intercept illegal fishing boats.
9
a1.:'... Lan._ a.c .tii,..:.5.,: .'.t .w .a.. w..
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FIGURE 8. Recruits in field training at Tubman Military
Academy (U /OU)
FIGURE 9. Air Reconnaissance Unit maintenance officer
and Cessna 150 trainer in hanger (U /OU)

1717 t7101-a-J7III 7A S-1= J 11107111:7L ff:L
C
kfa
Only 17 men (7 officers, 4 cadets, and 6 enlisted
men), all U.S. trained, are in the unit. Three of the
officers are pilots and a fourth is undergoing training.
There are presently three cadets in aviation training.
The shortage of pilots in the AU (ratio of 1 pilot to 2
planes) is a problem shared by other organizations in
Liberia, and a joint effort has been undertaken to
remedy the situation. A basic flight tr aining program
for some 20 students commenced in April 1973 under
the sponsorship of the Ministry of Commerce,
Industry, and Transport According to the course
propos aircraft from the AU and the National Police
Force would be made available for flight instruction,
and maintenance would be performed by the AU.
Each student would receive 40 to 30 flying hours
which would prepare him for further training in the
United States at a later date. Trainees would serve in
the AU, the National Police Force Air Wing, or the
Liberian National Airlines upon successful completion
of the preliminary program.
Maintenance is performed by unit personnel with
parts procured either through U.S. MAP or directly
from Cessna. Preventive maintenance is the best in the
AFL, and there is unlimited fuel at the disposal of the
unit.
D. Navy (C)
The Liberian National Coast Guard, established in
1957, is the country's only naval force. The Coast
Guard Commandant is subordinate to the Chief of
Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia, but frequently receives
orders directly from the Assistant Minister for Coast
Guard Affairs. Headquarters are at Monrovia, and
temporary refueling and provisioning stops are
maintained along the coast during operational patrols.
Future plans call for establishment of permanent
detachments at Buchanan, Sinoc, and Harper, but no
concrete timetable has been established.
The Coast Guard is charged with the control of
alien fishing in territorial waters, control of smuggling,
search and rescue, and patrol of the coastline. The one
motor gunboat (PGM) and two minor patrol craft of
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10
x
the Coast Guard are not adequate to accomplish these
missions. The 100 -foot PGM, the Alert (Figure 10), is
equipped with one 40 -mm AA gum forward and two
.50 caliber machineguns and has a maximum speed of
12.5 knots. The two 30 -foot utility launches,
constructed of fiberglass reinforced plastic, can attain
a speed of 14 knots. All 3 patrol boats were received in
1967 through the U.S. Military Assistance Program.
The Coast Guard boats receive minor repairs at a
commerical 400 -ton capacity floating drydock in
Monrovia. Refit and overhaul must be performed out
of country, generally at Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
With only 170 personnel, the Coast Guard is
insufficiently manned as well as underequipped for its
mission. However, the Coast Guard enjoys a
reputation for higher professional bearing, discipline,
and morale than evidenced in other elements of the
AFL. Stlection criteria for the Coast Guard are
reputably snore stringent than for the National Guard,
and most personnel are drawn from Liberia's coastal
tribes who have a long history of seafaring prowess.
Their training, both in the United States and in
Liberia under U.S. Coast Guard and Navy personnel,
has been generally successful, although proficiency
levels remain well below Western standards. Patrols
conducted by the Coast Guard, despite their limited
number and scope, have achieved satisfactory results
in light of available resources.
f
A
yr, ;r,� 1 1 .w '1 =F"at4y
FIGURE 10. "The Alert," flagship of the Liberian Coast
Guard (U /OU)
CONFIlWNTIAL
4 a t
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