Kofi Ampeah Woode
The 3rd edition of the Ghana Air Force (GHF) Special Task Unit (STU) Course, organized by Ghana Army’s 69 Airborne Force (69 ABF), to enhance participants’ physical fitness, mind-set and resilience, to develop and improve their skills in combat, marksmanship, Very Important Persons /Key Points and Vulnerable Points protection, and base camp security, has ended.
The STU Course 1-24, which had 39 participants, and commenced on Monday 2 September 2024, ended at the Forecourt of the Air Force Base (AFB), Tamale on Friday 18 October 2024, with the Commander, AFB, Tamale – Air Commodore (A/Cdre) Joshua Mensah-Larkai as the Guest of Honour.
A/Cdre Mensah-Larkai, speaking at the event which was preceded by a Close Quarter Battle drill, acknowledged that the STU course had the tacit approval and support of the Chief of the Air Staff, GHF; the Chief of the Army Staff, Ghana Army; and the provision of Swimming Instructors from Takoradi, by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Ghana Navy.
He psyched up the participants, reminding them that as elite soldiers, they would be called upon to perform tasks that many would consider impossible, be the first-in and the last-out, often behind enemy lines, with little support, but be burdened with high expectations.
He furthered that being an elite soldier is not only about physical prowess or tactical skill, but also about the warrior mind-set, making the right decisions under pressure, leading from the front, while expected to embody the highest standards of integrity, discipline and honour, whether on the battlefield or in the daily conduct of duties.
The Commanding Officer (CO) 69 ABF – Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Louis Yaw Boakye, spoke of the collaboration between the 3 Services of the Ghana Armed Forces, as a clear demonstration of the power of joint efforts, which underscores the critical importance of inter-service cooperation, and how much strength is availed with the unity of expertise, resources, and commitment.
Key Points are facilities or installations which when attacked, have extensive economic repercussions on a nation, whiles Vulnerable Points are installations which when lost, have little economic implications on a nation.
Mr Jalil – Chief Executive Officer of Magnolia, provided swimming facilities for the swimming lessons.
Present at the ceremony included the Command Operations Officer, Headquarters, Northern Command – Col Gyebi Abrokwah; CO, 93 Signal Regiment – Lt Col Benjamin Adjei; CO, Engineering Wing – Squadron Leader Benjamin Adumuah Ocquaye; Second in Command, 6 Infantry Battalion – Major Owusu Agyeman; Training Officer – Major Hubert Nartey, Officers, Air Force Cadets, Regular Career Course 63, and Soldiers of 6 Garrison.
Credit: 6 GAR PR
