MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Armed Forces of Liberia and the Michigan National Guard have solidified their long-standing defense partnership.

It followed a high-level visit by AFL Chief of Staff, Major General Davidson Forleh, to observe Exercise Northern Strike in the United States.

Northern Strike is one of the largest joint military readiness exercises in the U.S., drawing more than nine thousand personnel from thirty-six states and territories, along with five allied nations.

Maj. Gen. Forleh led a Liberian delegation to the exercise, where he took part in strategic discussions with senior military leaders from the Michigan National Guard, the U.S. National Guard Bureau, and partner forces from Sierra Leone and Latvia.

The visit also offered the AFL delegation an up-close look at cutting-edge defense technologies and operational capabilities on display during the exercise.

Officials say the partnership continues to yield mutual benefits, enhancing interoperability and reinforcing shared security objectives between both nations.