Gen S Padmanabhan, Chief of the Army Staff met the members of the Indian team which was declared the overall winner in exercise Airborne Africa held recently in Botswana. The team bagged first position in endurance, navigation and casualty evacuation.

Exercise Airborne Africa was hosted by Botswana in June this year. Initiated by the South African National Defence exercise Forces (SANDF) last year, the exereise is an endurance and tactical competition among airborne units of African armies and invited overseas countries. The purpose of the exercise is to foster goodwill among airborne units of participating nations and promotion of tourism in Botswana.

Twentyeight Army teams from 12 countries including Botswana, France, India, Malawi, Malaysia, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, UK, USA and Zimbabwe participated in the competition. Botswana, India and defending champions South Africa fielded eight, two and four teams respectively. The exercise was held in the North Western part of Botswana in the general area of Okavango Delta, renowned as the only inland river delta in the world. The terrain with its thick vegetation and heavy sandy soil posed a challenge to the participants.

Gen L M Fisher, Commander, Botswana Defence Force (BDF) had extended an invitation for participation to India during his recent visit. Accordingly, two teams consisting of four officers and eight other ranks were fielded by the Indian Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) under Maj Animish Ranade and Capt Krishnadas TR. The competition commenced with para-drop. The gruelling competition held over three days required the teams to traverse 65 kms braving the scorching sun with full combat loads. This included a 35-km endurance march, a 10-km navigation exercise, casualty evacuation of 10 kilometres, a 10-km speed march and a combat shooting of rifle-pistol.

The BDF team stood in the second position followed by the SANDF team. Observers identified individual stamina, grit, elan, shooting standards and teamwork as the hallmarks of the Indian teams.

Vice President, Lt Gen (Retd) Ian Khama Sereste Khama presided over the closing ceremony and gave away the trophy to the overall winners and presented medals to participants before they left Botswana.