Training the Advance Force
Category: Life in Mutsora, My Rangers | Date: Oct 31 2007 | By: admin
Special training has started today for the Rangers of the Advance Force.
This images were taking early this morning, physical activities started at 5:30am. And it will be like this for the next three months.
The purpose of this training is to achieve better conservation outcomes, improve the Advance Force’s command and control structures, increase their operational capacities. They will be working on drill, fitness discipline, patrol techniques, shooting, first aid.
Training will take place between Mutsora and Ishango.
Joseph Aloma on the far right.
This initiative is carried out by FZS, and Major M’Poka has been hired to run the program. He is a Congolese ex Special Forces.
Major M’Poka conducting the training, with the blue tracksuit.



10 Responses to “Training the Advance Force”
Paula, on 31 Oct 2007
Elie, it’s wonderful to see that your team is still motivated despite all the issues preventing them from being effective on the ground. I guess that’s a sign of good leadership on your part. Keep it up. This training will certainly pay off once the security situation returns to normal (well, as normal as possible for that region). If only all our rangers in Africa were as well led we’d be in a very different situation today.
Christine C., on 31 Oct 2007
Ditto what Paula said…just another amazing example of the committment of you, your rangers, and rangers-to be. Much luck to all of you, and hopefully you can get back into the park to actually utilize all of your skills!
Lauren, Chicago, IL, USA, on 31 Oct 2007
This Advance Force is so impressive, especially in light of everything that is happening right now. What is it like to be a Congolese ex-Special Forces and now train the Rangers of the Advance Force? Do the different challenges affect the training? Everyone looks so strong and full of energy.
Jim G., on 04 Nov 2007
Elie … I saw the Ben Anderson show on Discovery and am sure the Advance Force story will told in the great military legends of all time … you and your men are to be respected for you committment and dedication against overwhelming odds … you have my respect and gratitude for all you do and have done for Virunga … I have pitched your story to COL Oliver North of Fox News … I hope he will come to the DR Congo and tell your story for everyone in the USA … God Bless you and your Force, and his gorillas and hippos.
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