The Deputy Sector Commander of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Sector II, Colonel Samson Kenga, officially opened a six-day Air Liaison Officer Training Course on 23rd September 2025 at Sector Headquarters in Kismayo. Participants included AUSSOM–KDF troops, the Sierra Leone Formed Police Unit (AUSSOM-SLFPU), and members of the civilian component.
In his remarks, Col Kenga urged participants to actively engage with facilitators and share knowledge, skills, and expertise to enhance collective aviation capability.
“We have come together to strengthen knowledge on aviation operations through training in support of peace, security, and humanitarian efforts across Somalia. This directly contributes to fulfilling our shared mission mandate,” he said.
The course features intensive, interactive modules covering operational safety, aviation and airport security, airport management, flight planning, emergency response, and medical evacuations. Practical sessions will focus on helicopter landing site selection, night operations, communication procedures, and weather reporting, aiming to equip participants with a deeper understanding of aviation’s pivotal role in mission readiness and operational success.
At the Dhobley Main Operating Base, the Base Commandant, Colonel Moriss Wasomi, presided over a parallel course opening for participants drawn from AUSSOM–KDF troops and civilian representatives from the Jubaland Ministry of Immigration and Dhobley Airstrip.
Col Wasomi lauded the initiative as a testament to partners’ shared commitment to enhancing aviation security in the region and across Somalia.
“I am confident that the skills and knowledge you acquire during this training will enable you to effectively address security threats and protect aviation infrastructure in the best possible way,” he noted.
The Air Liaison Officer Training Course underscores AUSSOM’s broader commitment to building capacity across military, police, and civilian components. By investing in aviation skills development, the mission continues to foster stronger collaboration among partners while enhancing its ability to respond effectively to both security and humanitarian needs.
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