By: Sulayman Waan
A joint military training exercise between The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) and British Armed Forces is underway at GAF training school, in Fajara Barrack.
The month-long training exercise that began on Monday aims at ensuring military professionalism. There are 130 Gambian soldiers and 42 British soldiers taking part in the training.
The training is said to be conducted under a stimulated combat condition in a war field and it will be catered for all level of training, the officers would be trained in under a control enemy with a neutral control organization.
Representing the Gambian Chief Defense Staff, Major General Yankuba Drammeh, commended the British Armed Forces and the Gambia counterparts for embarking on the training.
The deputy CDS said: “GAF has gone under lots of preparation prior the training that gear towards ensuring that the exercise is consistent with professional ethic and high standard, most importantly both the two troops should learn from each other.”
“GAF wants military that is legitimate, transparent, professional and that are subordinate and accountable to civil authority. We also need Armed Forces that are sensitive to the needs and aspiration of every Gambians,” he said.
He added: “The military leadership needs Armed Forces whose actions and behavior are found within the best practices as well in line with international humanitarian law.”
According to him, the GAF and the British Army Forces shares strong historical ties for centuries, noting countries over the years continue to enjoy fruitful and excellent relationship and lateral cooperation.
He expressed gratitude to the British Armed Forces and its government for their efforts in contributing on the transformation of the GAF since inception, saying his office has acknowledge the support the British rendered to GAF.
Lt Colonel Omar B. Bojang, acting commander of GAF Training School described the training as the most important activity for any given military institution, adding the training will enable the solders to acquire new skills as well recover their old skills.
“To be successful, military forces must train first on warfare particularly the way they intent to fight; they must always train how to conduct other operations order than war.” he said.
According to him, the training would benefit both troops since it will enable the combine forces to promote inter-operability of military, noting it would as well confer the solders with more experience.
He thanked GAF leadership for their support since the project commenced also commended the British officers for their cooperation during the planning stage of the exercise project.
Major Toby Green, British troop commander said the two troops will train together as one company to ensure smooth implementation of the project. He applauded GAF for preparing the novice prior the training while assured the exercise will be beneficial to all the trainees.