The deputy Chief of Defense Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has urged The Gambian Navy to be professional in dealing with activities of illegal migration, drug and human trafficking.
“The navy’s role in protecting the territorial integrity is of paramount importance to the country’s security,” said Major General Ousman Badjie. “Many use the sea to carry out their illegal practices and the navy’s efforts in combating these criminal activities is crucial.”
Deputy CDS Badjie was speaking recently at the opening of the ongoing two-week intensive training being provided to Gambia Navy by the United States Coast Guards International Training Division.
A follow up to last year’s, the advanced boarding officers’ course for 24 Gambia Navy officers is geared towards enhancing the skills of Gambian navy officers in safeguarding the country’s maritime security.
“This is not the first time the US Coast Guards have trained and engaged the navy personnel,” deputy CDS Badjie said, adding that the training will equip Gambia Navy.
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew V. Sousa, United States Cavalry and chief of mission Military of United States African Command (AFRICOM) overseeing Senegal, Cape Verde, Gambia and Guinea Bissau and defense attaché urged the participants to work hard, pledging that more training for the Gambia Navy is on the pipeline.
According to the chief of naval staff, Commodore Momodou Senghore, the evolving trends of maritime security threats such as narcotic drug trafficking, illegal migration by boat, human trafficking, arms trafficking, toxic waste dumping, illegal fishing and piracy, amongst others, require capacity building inorder to counter such threats.
The navy chief said that boarding a vessel at sea is a risky activity that requires special skills for personal safety, and effective execution of duty.
“It could be by day or night, in calm or rough weather. In some instances, the boarding team is confronted with stiff resistance in open waters by the captain and crew of the vessel to be boarded,” he added.
Commodore Momodou Senghore said the impact of the skills and techniques acquired during the last program was significant, noting that it has enhanced the ability of the Gambia Navy boarding teams to safely board and conduct thorough searches on vessels at sea.  
Meanwhile, participants are expected to cover a wide range of issues - extensive instruction and practical exercises in subject control techniques, defensive tactics, arrest procedures, use of force, judgmental exercises, and additional boarding exercises.