A three-week internal security and counter-insurgency preparedness exercise by personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces, Exercise Starlight Stretch III, is underway in the Oti Region.
The objective is to enhance the readiness of the troops to respond effectively to the increasing complex security environment confronting the nation and sub-region.
The exercise is also intended to validate their formation-level planning and oversight internal security and counter-insurgency operations while enhancing interoperability among combat, combat support and combat service support units, as well partner security and civil institutions.
Further, it will reinforce the understanding and application of the troops in areas of legal frameworks governing military operations, including the Rules of Engagement, Law of Armed Conflict, respect for human rights, and established Standard Operating Procedures.
Further, the participants will receive training in a wide range of military competencies, including physical endurance, field craft, battle drills, tactical combat care, communications, convoy protection, drone awareness, and intelligence-led operations, among others.
The Command Operations Officer, Headquarters Southern Command, Colonel Lawrence Seddoh Agbedoawu said at the opening of the exercise in Nkwanta, on Tuesday (August 11) that apart from counter-insurgency, the troops would also undergo intensive and realistic training covering the full spectrum of internal security, countering violent extremism and terrorism operations.
Colonel Agbedoawu, who represented the General Officer Commanding the Southern Command, Brigadier General Edward Awaribey, said Exercise Starlight Stretch III would progressively develop the individual proficiency, small-unit competence, tactical decision-making and combat team effectiveness of the troops through structured instructions, practical exercises and realistic field scenarios.
He urged the troops to remain focused throughout the exercise and strictly adhere to all safety instructions, weapons-handling procedures and environmental protection measures.
“Let this training sharpen your professional competence, strengthen team work, improve leadership at every level and enhance your confidence in executing operational tasks under demanding condition.
“The knowledge and skills you acquire here may one day prove decisive in protecting the security and sovereignty of our beloved nation,” Colonel Agbedoawu charged the soldiers.
He expressed gratitude to the Army Headquarters, General Headquarters, the various formations and brigades of the Ghana Armed Forces, sister security agencies as well as civil institutions for contribution to the success of the exercise.
Earlier, the Commanding Officer of the of the 1 Infantry Brigade Battalion, Lt Colonel Enoch Awudu described the Exercise Starlight Stretch III as timely and a relevant with regard to emerging security threats.
