The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is currently observing its annual Skills at Arms competition that is ongoing at the Benguema Firing Range in Waterloo.
The three day competition which started yesterday, 6th October is expected to end on Thursday this week with five different brigades across the country in full participation. The participating brigades include: Ministry of Defence Unit, third brigade which is Freetown, fourth brigade which represents the North, fifth brigade from the South East and Special Units which include AW, MW, and JPU etc.
42 Firers representing each brigade comprising formation commanders, senior and junior officers from both MOD and Joint Force Command are expected to take part in the novelty shooting competition.
Speaking to Awoko press on the purpose of the competition, the Deputy Chief Defence Staff, Brigadier General Robert Y. Koroma said the competition is part of an initiative of the Joint Force Commander to ascertain the capability of all RSLAF personnel in their weapon handling skills and to further assess formations and units’ effectiveness in the conduct of level1-3 training. He encouraged the officers to put in their best in the competition as there will be attractive prizes for the best firers that will take the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions.
Brigadier K.S Mondeh explained that participants will be using different kinds of weapons like Pistols, AK47 Riffles, Riffle CQB, GPMG and a host of other weapons will be used throughout the competition.
Chief of Staff of Joint Force Headquarter, Col. Tamba Allieu admonished the officers to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations set for the competition. He further added that he would like to see the competition conducted in a decent and professional atmosphere.
Officers from 3rd,4th and 5th brigades took part in a live firing competition yesterday at the Firing Range in Benguema. Soldiers competed aiming at a target from 100m,75m 50m, and 25m ranges using a total of 40 rounds of live bullets. The competition continues today.
By William Freeman
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