NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Medical personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) have earned international recognition after an outstanding performance at the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) Best Medic Competition held in Vicenza, Italy.
The competition, which ran from January 5 to 15, 2026, brought together military medical professionals from Liberia, Ghana, Italy and the United States to test their physical endurance, clinical skills and ability to operate under simulated combat conditions.
By: Trokon Wrepue –trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The AFL team’s exceptional showing led SETAF-AF to award all four Liberian competitors the U.S. Army Achievement Medal (AAM), a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding achievement and meritorious service beyond normal duty requirements.
A total of 24 medical personnel participated in the rigorous event, which assessed both technical proficiency and resilience in high-stress environments.
Notably, this marked the first time the Armed Forces of Liberia fielded a four-person team in the competition, underscoring the country’s growing expertise in tactical combat casualty care.
The training aligns with the AFL’s strategic objective of developing an independent tactical combat casualty care program. Liberian medics have been strengthening these capabilities through continued collaboration with the Michigan National Guard under the State Partnership Program.
Participants underwent intensive training that included chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) preparedness, resiliency and mindful movement exercises, M4 carbine marksmanship, and advanced trauma and prolonged casualty care.
These activities culminated in a demanding two-day competition designed to replicate the physical and mental challenges faced by medics in life-saving battlefield scenarios.
“This competition is about building medical excellence for the fight tonight,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shanett Robinson, chief medical noncommissioned officer of SETAF-AF. “We’re creating a high-stress, interoperable environment where U.S. Soldiers and our international medics can validate their skills.”
The multinational setting provided an opportunity for Ghanaian, Italian, Liberian and U.S. medics to refine advanced skills in trauma management and delayed evacuation, enhancing interoperability and readiness for joint operations during future crises.
The AFL’s performance at the competition reflects its growing professionalism and commitment to improving military medical readiness, while reinforcing Liberia’s role as a capable and reliable partner in regional and international security cooperation.
