Botswana Defence Force chief of staff - Ground Forces Command, Brigadier Lawrence Rapula has said the Global Positioning System (GPS) remains an invaluable tool to the military and other defence forces around the world.

Speaking on the sidelines of the night navigation exercise in Lerala last Thursday, Brigadier Rapula said that was because the GPS was able to continuously provide accurate positioning.

Nonetheless, he said the advantages of the smart device had not yet been extended to the BDF officers, owing to lack of knowledge on its use, hence the decision to inculcate the GPS in this year’s navigation exercise.

Dubbed Exercise Patlong, it attracted 48 BDF units comprising four members each, where they had to identify four geographical points using compasses, maps and the GPS to navigate to them and complete the 15km circuit.

At the completion of the exercise, Brigadier Rapula commended teams that did well and urged those who did not to learn from their mistakes.  Further, he emphasised fitness saying a good soldier was expected to be fit at all times.

Also, the coordinator, Major Tapiwa Nfamile said the exercise was aimed at testing officers’ technical know-how of navigational aids such as the GPS. Prior to the introduction of the GPS, he said completing the exercise was a serious challenge and the use of the device has contributed positively to the success of the navigation exercise. 

However, the exercise was not solemnly orientated towards exhibiting navigation devices and their capabilities, but also encapsulated aspects that foster team work, thus soldiers were forced to finish the 15km circuit together as a group.

Major Nfamile hailed the exercise as a success given that most teams met the set objectives. Notwithstanding, he said soldiers needed to work on their speed and fitness to enable them to reach points on time and achieve the intended mission.

Special Forces Regiment scooped the first prize while Armour Regiment and Corps of Engineers finished second and third respectively.

Non-commissioned officers of Special Forces regiment won the best team category beating officers of Special Forces regiment and Ceremonial and guards unit, who finished second and third respectively.  ENDS