Maputo, 16 Aug (AIM) – The European Union Training Mission (EUTM-Mozambique), which is helping the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) to fight Islamist terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, claims that planned and proper logistical support is essential to “ensure that the operations continue without interruption.”
According to a EUTM-Mozambique statement, logistical support is essential to success as it hones the skills needed by the FADM for quick reaction force (QRF) operations.
“Transition to this new phase requires meticulous planning and robust logistics to ensure a smooth and effective transfer of responsibilities. Logistics will be key during this period of change, ensuring that all necessary resources are available and that operations continue without interruption,” the statement reads.
“Logistics is the thankless art that no one remembers when everything goes well, but everyone notices when something goes wrong”, the note adds.
The European Mission in Mozambique officially ends on September 9. The end of this mission will follow the withdrawal, last July, of the Southern African Development Community Military Mission to Mozambique (SAMIM).
Although SAMIM has left the country, the FADM now counts on the support of Rwandan and Tanzanian forces, on a bilateral basis.
According to the statement, “the EUTM MOZ works from training camps at Dongo, Katembe and Mavalane. The mission’s J4 section is responsible for logistics and what the mission terms ‘real life support’. This covers supply and maintenance of all needed resources, allowing troops and their trainers to concentrate on training.”
J4 comprises two teams – one in Maputo and the other in Chimoio, capital. of the central province of Manica.
The five-strong Maputo team handles co-ordination of air and ground transport, managing accommodation and rations as well as overseeing infrastructure and procurement. This team is seen as key to planning and executing logistics for the overall success of the mission.
“In Chimoio, a three-strong team ensures that accommodation, food, transport and “general support” are all under control. Apart from a main transport task to ensure troops and supplies reach destinations on time, the J4 section is responsible for vehicle maintenance, managing repairs and preventive maintenance in coordination with a rental company. Its portfolio also includes managing and supervising new facility construction for quick impact projects (QIPs)”, reads the document.
“All these tasks are fundamental to maintaining soldier morale and operability and will take on added value in September when the mission takes on military assistance mission status”, adds the note.
(AIM)
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