Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has announced a five-day Patrol and Skills-At-Arms Competition, set to assess the physical fitness and shooting proficiency of its personnel.
The event will run from November 18th to 22nd, 2024, across the Hastings, Peninsular Hill, and Benguema areas.
“This competition is designed to enhance the tactical skills and physical readiness of our troops, ensuring they are well-prepared for any battlefield scenario,” stated Major General Dauda Alpha, Commander of the Joint Force.
Structure of the Competition
Six teams representing various units of the armed forces will compete for top honors. Participating teams include:
1. 2 Infantry Brigade, Armed Forces Technical and Education Centre (AFTEC), Armed Forces Personnel Centre (AFPC), and the Tailoring Unit.
2. 3 Infantry Brigade.
3. 4 Infantry Brigade.
4. 5 Infantry Brigade, Armed Forces Training Centre (AFTC), Peace Mission Training Centre (PMTC), Horton Command and Staff College (HCSC), Armed Forces Band (AFB), and Armed Forces Agricultural Unit (AFAU).
5. Forces Troops, comprising the Maritime Wing (MW), Air Wing (AW), Engineer Regiment, Forces Intelligence and Security Unit (FISU), and Artillery Battery.
6. Joint Support Units, including the Joint Logistics Unit (JLU), Joint Medical Unit (JMU), Joint Provost Unit (JPU), Joint Communication Unit (JCU), and Armed Forces Physical Training Wing (AFPTW).
The competition will unfold in two phases:
– Phase 1: The patrol exercise includes a jungle walk and combat drills, with 30 personnel per team, including six female soldiers. Teams will be evaluated on weapon handling, anti-ambush drills, casualty evacuation, and other tactical skills.
– Phase 2: The skills-at-arms segment involves running and live firing, with assessments covering rifle and pistol marksmanship, close-quarter battle drills, and general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) handling.
Objectives and Awards
Major General Alpha emphasized the goals of the competition, noting that it aims to develop soldiers’ confidence, physical fitness, and combat readiness. “This competition ensures that our soldiers maintain the tactical and shooting skills needed for battlefield survival,” he explained.
Nine awards will be presented at the conclusion of the event, including:
– Best Pistol Firer
– Best Female Firer
– Best Patrol Team
– Overall Best Team
Inter-Institutional Collaboration
The competition will also involve participants from key government institutions, such as the Office of National Security, Ministry of Finance, Sierra Leone Police, and National Fire Force, though their participation will be limited to the skills-at-arms phase.
“This inclusion fosters better team cohesion and tactfulness across institutions,” Major General Alpha added.
The event promises to showcase the strength and skill of Sierra Leone’s armed forces while fostering collaboration with other national institutions.
