2004 Press Releases

RSLAF. Chadian and Guinean Soldiers Graduate

January 28, 2004

Freetown, Sierra Leone
Contact: PAO Kevin Green
Tel: 226481.

January 28, 2004… The United States government-funded military logistics facility at Murray Town Barracks, graduated seventy-four (74) military personnel from three West African Countries on Wednesday, January 28. The military personnel were drawn from Chad, Guinea and Sierra Leone. Mr. Larry André, Jr., Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy, presented certificates to the participants.

This is a continuation of a series of training programs at the Freetown depot, funded by the US Government.  These soldiers completed a three-week training program in military communications, logistics, and vehicle maintenance at the training facility located at the PAE government Services, PAE compound, Murray Town. 14 RSLAF and 31  Chadian personnel received the Refreshers Drivers Training Course, 8 RSLAF were trained in Vehicle Maintenance while 11 Chadian and 10 Guinean personnel received training in the use of high frequency Communications Equipment.

The U.S. government has committed $ 3 million to fund this initiative.  To complement this training, the USG has donated 3 vehicles to RSLAF, 13 vehicles to the Chadian Army and 14 communications sets to the Guinean Army.

The training facility’s purpose is to deliver quality logistics training and maintenance support to West African militaries, in furtherance of peace and stability in the sub-region, with a focus on building capacity. Other troops from RSLAF, Guinea and Mali have previously been trained at the PAE depot.  The U.S. plans to provide future training to troops from Mali, Niger and Mauritania. 

The U.S Government thanks the Government of Sierra Leone for their partnership and contribution in this venture. ##