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RSLAF Assist in Global War On Terrorism

Standard Times (Freetown)
NEWS
July 21, 2004
Posted to the web July 23, 2004

Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces troops have been observed recently
driving military vehicles through the Sahel desert, fraternizing with fellow
troops from Burkina Faso and Niger, and riding the backs of camels under the
desert sun, participating in a program to increase cooperation between West
African militaries.
The United States government in conjunction with the government of Sierra Leone
and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) are supporting the Global
War on Terrorism, through the "PAN SAHEL INITIATIVE", manifested through
continued training and logistical operations at the Murray Town logistics
facility in Freetown, managed by Pacific Architects and Engineers (PAE) under
contract to the United States Governments.
In the last eight months, soldiers from Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Chad have
conducted logistics training in Freetown in support of the war on terrorism
with the assistance of the RSLAF, PAE and the United States.
More recently, from 19-25 June 2005, the RSLAF assisted PAE and the US
government in delivering twelve desert mobility vehicles overland from Freetown
to Niamey, Niger.
The Niger Armed Forces will use these vehicles to combat terrorists roaming the
Sahel region.
Eight RSLAF soldiers conducted convoy operations from Freetown through Guinea
and Mali, passing through the entire length of Burkina Faso, and arriving in
Niamey five long days after departing Freetown.
The mission crossed a large portion of the Sahel desert, and the RSALF soldiers
performed extremely well in these harsh desert conditions, and conducted a
convoy for 2600 kilometers with no accidents or incidents along the route, a
truly remarkable achievement.
The RSALF soldiers who participated in this exercise are: Warrant Officer M.
JUSU Staff Sergeant Chef. B. Samura, Sergeant L. Forana, Corporal E. Gbondo,
Corporal Koroma, and Coporal J. Mannoh.
The PAE contingent consisted of Mr. Yazid Fuludeen, Mr.
John Allen, Mr. Sheriff Samai, Mr. Ron Boyer, Mr. Saidu Mansaray and Mr. Dion
Teel.
The officer in charge of this mission was Lt/Col Bill Godbout from the United
States Army.
Of special interest during this convoy was the professionalism displayed by the
RSLAF troopers while working with the Burkina Faso military.
The RSLAF and Burkniabe troops worked closely for three days as the convoy
stayed overnight in Bobo Diallasso in the southern portion of Burkina Faso, as
well as during an extensive visit to the capital of Ougadougou.
Before the Burkinabe military escort vehicles turned back at the Niger border,
the RSLAF and Burkina soldiers bid each other farewell with strong handshakes
and congratulations for a job well done, initiating a new era of cooperation in
ECOWAS.
Arriving in Niamey, Niger the RSLAF soldiers still had much work to accomplish.
The vehicles were cleaned and maintained to look brand new before being handed
over to the Niger Armed Forces.
During a three days stay in Niamey, the RSLAF troops had a chance to relax and
recover from the long journey, as PAE conducted refresher training for some of
the Niger troops getting ready to deploy on combat missions into the desert.
Meanwhile, the RSLAF soldiers each had the opportujity to ride on the back of a
camel, the hardy "ships of the desert", and view the famous Kennedy Bridge
which spans the mighty Niger River running through the heart of Niamey.
The U.S. plans to provide more training to the RSLAF and other ECOWAS
militaries at the Freetown Logistics facility at Murray Town Barracks.
The U.S. government thanks the Government of Sierra Leone, the RSLAF and all
ECOWAS states, for their partnership and vision in this endeavour.

   

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