2003 Press Releases

The U.S. Government-funded Military Logistics Training Center Successfully Train Malian Troops in Freetown

August 29, 2003

Freetown, Sierra Leone
Contact: PAO Kevin Green
Tel: 226481 ext 20

Freetown, August 29, 2003 …. The United States government-funded military logistics training facility at Murray Town Barracks graduated forty-four (44) Malian soldiers and one officer on Friday, 29 August.  Larry Andre, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy, presented the participants with their Certificates of Training. They completed a three-week training program in military communications, logistics, and vehicle maintenance at the training facility located at the Pacific Architect and Engineers (PAE) compound in Murray Town.  The U.S. government not only provided over $3 million USD to fund PAE and construction of the facility, but also provided over $1 million USD in vehicles and radio equipment for use by the Malian contingent on its ECOWAS-authorized missions.  The training facility's purpose is to deliver quality logistics training and maintenance support to West African militaries, in furtherance of peace and stability operations, and with a focus on building capacity. Troops from RSLAF and Guinea have also trained at the PAE depot, and the addition of Mali launches another phase in the evolution of regional security cooperation.  The U.S. plans to provide future training to Niger, Mauritania and Chad at the PAE training facility.  The U.S. government thanks the Government of Sierra Leone, and all ECOWAS states, for their partnership and vision in this endeavor.