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THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE ARMED FORCES (RSLAF) - AIRWING...

INTRODUCTION

Chapter XI, Section 165 of the 1991 Constitution of the Republic of Sierra Leone, makes provision for the establishment of the Armed Forces of Sierra Leone, which shall consist of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The Army and Navy were already in existence while the Air Force was yet to be established. The Air Wing was then given birth to, during the peak of the rebel incursion. This was precipitated on the urgent requirement by the Government of Sierra Leone to boost the effort of the much stretched Army and Navy, by providing fire power from an air platform as well as rapid response capability for the armed forces. Thus, the idea of establishing an Air Wing was borne as foundation from which it would be further developed into an Air Force in future. The Air Wing was actually ‘hatched’ in earlier days of 1995 and it has since been in existence despite several challenges confronting it survival.

LOCATION

The Air Wing is currently co-located at the Cockerill Barrack Wilkinson Road, Freetown with Headquarters Joint Force Command.

RSLAF Air Wing HQ at Cockerill Barracks, Wilkinson Road ,Freetown

STRUCTURE

The present structure is depicted below:
Current RSLAF Air Wing Structure

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AIRWING

In line with the Joint Force Command concept of operation, the Air Wing is to:
  • Conduct Counter Insurgency Operations both within jungle and urban spaces.
  • Provide independent capability to FIND, FIX and STRIKE hostile forces.
  • Conduct individual Ground and Flying training and Collective training with identified elements of the Joint Force to enable the provision of support in terms of reconnaissance , transport of personnel and materiel, and armed action in concert with the scheme of decreed by Commander Joint Force.
  • Maintain air assets in an appropriate Notice to Move (NTM) states including a Quick Reaction Capability as dictated by the commander.

    • MISSION

    To Conduct Air Operations within the territorial waters and international borders in order to secure the territorial integrity of Sierra Leone.

    OPERATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

    The Air Wing has under-taken several combat and support operations in concert the other components of the RSLAF. Prominent among them were: the Operation BARRAS-Westside raid, Operation KAMBIE-border patrol between Sierra Leone and Liberia, MEDEVAC and CASEVAC Operations and various Relief–of–Troops such as: Operation TASSKONEH 1&2.

    PREVIOUS AND PRESENT AIR PLATFOMS

    Since the inception of the Air Wing, the following air assets have been operated in fulfillment of its defence mission:
  • Mi-24 (Attack Heli)-Russian
  • Mi-17(Support Heli)-Russian
  • Equeriell /Twin Squirrel ( VIP & Reconnaissance)- French
  • Alouette- 3 (Reconnaissance Heli)-French
  • Sea King Commando Mk 4( VIP Heli)-Canadian

    • Sea King Commando Mk 4(VIP Heli) at Cockerill Barracks Helipad

    Mi 24 Attack Heli, conducting Jungle Operation in junction with 1 AFRSL Infantry Battalion at Bumbuna. L-R Capt Alimamy E. Kargbo, Lt Alex Conteh, Lt Col Moses J Samura(CO 1Bn), Capt Osman J.Sesay, Col Kenneth (IMATT) Col GS-DHQ(SL), Lt Kennie and 2/Lt Moses Kpaika – June 2000
    Mi 24 Conducting Maritime Surveillance in concert with RSLAF Maritime Wing

    Mi-24 warming up at Cockerill Barracks Helipad in preparation for Operation BARRAS

    FUTURE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AIR WING

    The endorsed air capability for RSLAF - Air Wing reviewed as at 2004 is 2 Attack Helicopter, 2 Support Helicopter and 2 Fixed Wing with personnel strength of 44 Officers and 100 airmen. This design is a model of small but very effective Air Force.

    With this proposed capability, the Air Wing is expected to move to its permanent Air Base at Hastings Air Field, were the hanger and runway facilities will be used. It current location at Cockerill Barracks will remain as a rear Air Base.

    (Quote him: Sqadron Leader Alie Mouh Kamara, B.Eng (Hons), MSLIE
  • “Ability without capability and responsibility is liability”
  • “A Sound Training and Capability is an essential amoury for any fighting force”

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