US Army Africa Trains Sierra Leone Armed Forces for Peacekeeping Operations in Darfur

As part of the ongoing Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program, two U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) Soldiers are training members of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces in peacekeeping operations in Darfur. The training, which is taking place in Sierra Leone, focuses on infantry skills such as improvised explosive device awareness, rifle marksmanship, and movement techniques. First Lt. Salvatore Buzzurro and Sgt. 1st Class Grady Hyatt, USARAF ACOTA military mentors, are assisting the Department of State in training the Sierra Leone military on these critical skills. The training program is significant, as it marks the first time USARAF mentors have worked with the ACOTA program in Sierra Leone.

Key Takeaways:

• The training is part of the ongoing Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program, which aims to improve the capacity of African militaries to conduct peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
• The training is taking place in Sierra Leone, where members of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces are currently serving in Darfur as part of a joint UN-African Union force.
• The training focuses on infantry skills such as improvised explosive device awareness, rifle marksmanship, movement techniques, and establishing a combat outpost.
• The training program is significant, as it marks the first time USARAF mentors have worked with the ACOTA program in Sierra Leone.
• The training is conducted in a three-day training cycle, with the last day being a practical exercise for leaders.
• The Sierra Leone Armed Forces have been training with the ACOTA program for two years, and this is the fifth company prepping for their peacekeeping mission in another country.
• The training program for the Sierra Leone Army is being revamped to support not only peacekeeping but also peacemaking missions in the region.
• The training will conclude with a three-day field training exercise where the company will occupy a combat outpost and run all the missions they have trained on.

Statistics:

• 36 years of combined military experience between First Lt. Salvatore Buzzurro and Sgt. 1st Class Grady Hyatt, USARAF ACOTA military mentors.
• 3-day training cycle for each subject taught.
• 5 companies of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces have been trained through the ACOTA program since it began two years ago.
• Training sessions include:

+ Improvised explosive device awareness

+ Rifle marksmanship

+ Movement techniques (wedge, file, staggered column)

+ Battle drills (break contact, react to a sniper and hasty attack)

+ Establishing a combat outpost

• Training will conclude with a 3-day field training exercise.

Sources:

• U.S. Army-Africa Public Affairs
• Department of State