By: Mohamed M. Sesay
On Friday 3rd of February 2023, at the Moses Oliver Gordon Hall Lungi, the Sierra Leone Arm Forces (RSLAF), has certified 36 New Special Forces Reconnaissance Unit (FRU) who are now tasked with the responsibility to tackle terrorism, pandemic, an illegal migration, drug trafficking, violent extremism among others across the country.
Serving as the Guest of Honor at the Graduation Ceremony, the Chief of Staff Joint Force Command Unit Headquarters Air Commodore J.A.S Gbondo, intimated to his personnel that the complex and dynamic of 21st century security challenges include terrorism, pandemic, illegal migration drug trafficking among others. He added that the world over is faced with a common enemy which is terrorism or violent extremism. He, therefore, expressed undying anticipation to the FRU Cadre 20 to be a role model in playing a pivotal role in mitigating any of the aforementioned global security hazards whenever the need arises. He assured the graduands that their level of training could not be compared to any violent non-state actors.
The Chief of Staff Joint Force Command Unit said the Ministry of Defense is also expecting the FRU to eliminate those extremists who have bent on creating security instability in the country. “Since you have acquired far more superior knowledge, attitude and skill than your adversaries, we need a special force that is fit for purpose in stabilizing the multi-dimensional security threat in the country”, he admonished.
He advised the personnel that there would be no room for indiscipline in the discharge of duties. He said the graduation should serve as a huge pointer to all the graduands that they have a huge task ahead leading the RSLAF formations and units in peace, and in war. He encouraged them to put into practice whatever they have learnt once they are in operation. He advised that any act of cowardice or fear is forbidden as they have been trained to meet the challenges of nowadays security environment.
In his statement, the Commanding Officer Lt Col MO Gorgon expressed delight to qualify 36 personnel at the RSLAF Force Reconnaissance Unit which includes one female after a successful completion of ten weeks of training. He expressed that the training was very rigorous and highly selective which started with 54 pre-selected personnel across the RSLAF. He also disclosed that the said number dropped to 36 due to the intensity of the training.
He explained that week one of the training was dubbed as motivation or week of hell adding that it was a week of a deliberate restless night. He admonished the graduands that the unit has trained them to meet higher standards than the normal infantry soldiers. He said the graduands are joining the Force Reconnaissance Unit (FRU) at the right time when RSLAF is making aggressive moves to develop the Special Force capability of the unit. He said the Ministry of Defense relies on the new special force graduands for quick results whenever they are sent on a special mission. Concluded by expressing profound thanks and appreciation to the Joint Command Force and the Ministry of Defense for providing the necessary funds for such training.
Training Officer, Force Reconnaissance Unit Cadre 20 Lieutenant Desmond Koroma, edified that before now, the training lasts for 8 weeks. He added that this just concluded cadre lasted for 13 tough and demanding weeks. He reiterated that 51 personnel including 3 officers were pre-selected for the cadre. He however noted that 3 officers and 33 other ranks who endured the difficulty and made it through the hard-hitting selection process are being certified.
He intimated that Phase one of the training was dubbed the mountain phase. He said the mountain phase commenced at the Peace Mission Training Center, Hastings from 28 Nov-18 Dec 22. He added that the main event of this phase is the Recce assessment week (RAW) in which personnel were trained and assessed in personal fitness, navigation, map reading, marksmanship (AK 47, SLR, GPMG and green aid throwing), first aid and communication skills.
He said the phase was dubbed the Guma Jungle School. He said the jungle phase commenced at the Guma Jungle School from 19 Dec 22- 1 Jan 23 for students who completed the mountain phase. He added that this phase covers the; jungle navex, jungle marksmanship, combat casEvac, trapping, tracking, survival, catching and close target recce (CTR).
He continued that phase three was the Special Core Skill Phase wherein, the special core skill phase commenced at the camp lion Recce school in lungi from 2 Jan – 3 Feb 23. Some related activities of this phase are; pipeline drills, man-down drill, LD/FUP/FSG marking, observation post exercises, vehicle anti-ambush drills, urban operations, aircraft assault, tactical military rappelling and deliberate river crossing drills.