The Rwanda Air Force has started a three weeks training aimed at preparing pilots, technicians and maintenance officers, Air logistics Staffs and Air Medical Services to the peacekeeping mission in Sudan.

The training for 140 Officers and Men from Air Force is jointly organised by Rwanda Defence Force helped by the US Army under ACOTA program (Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance). The training will take place at Rwanda Military Academy Gako.

Rwanda will deploy early next year 5 helicopters in Sudan for peacekeeping operations.

When officially inaugurating the training this morning, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga, the Chief of Defence Staff advised the Air Force officers and men to undergo it in disciplinary manner focusing on Rwanda Defence Force doctrine. He said that Rwanda Defence Force is mandated by the Constitution of Rwanda to give contribution to global peace and security.

HeliHub.com editor note – the statement above does not say which helicopter types are involved, and we have shown the AW139 merely as an example of a helicopter from the Rwandan military fleet