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22<br />
Voxpops The voices of<br />
Never shy to offer their opinions, we asked the personnel of <strong>EUTM</strong> <strong>Somalia</strong> about their experiences<br />
with the mission! Here is what some of them had to say……<br />
Staff Sergeant Flavius Zavelcuta (France) – Platoon Leader at<br />
Bihanga Training Camp<br />
Here in Bihanga I work with a number of nationalities. This is a new experience<br />
for me and I enjoy it as I am very interested to learn their methods of work and<br />
also how their cultures differ too. Living and working conditions are very good<br />
and daily life is quite busy here. We can all learn from each other new tactical<br />
skills, operational experiences and of course it is a great opportunity for us to<br />
practice and improve our English! For the mission I feel it is important that the<br />
Somali soldiers not only learn to master their own field drills but also to learn<br />
to become trainers themselves so they, in turn, can begin to instruct their own<br />
recruits upon their return to <strong>Somalia</strong>.<br />
Lieutenant Colonel Corrado Prado (Italy) – Press & Information Officer at HQ <strong>EUTM</strong><br />
<strong>Somalia</strong><br />
I am a Gunner of the Italian Army and I live in the northern<br />
part of Italy. I was really excited to be selected as PIO for <strong>EUTM</strong><br />
<strong>Somalia</strong> because after seven missions abroad this was my first<br />
opportunity to experience a deployment in Africa. Now I am here<br />
in the MHQ, having an unbelievable experience, working in such<br />
a collaborative environment with professionals coming from most<br />
of the participating European nations, from different cultures,<br />
experiences and walks of life. Quoting the Mission Commander,<br />
this is “a happy mission”; in our HQ we work hard but always in a<br />
friendly atmosphere, helping each other and being extremely proud<br />
to be <strong>EUTM</strong> <strong>Somalia</strong> mission members.<br />
Lieutenant Colonel Denis Bretaudeau (France) – Commander, Bihanga Training Camp<br />
Throughout our time here in Uganda the <strong>EUTM</strong> personnel have developed a strong relationship with<br />
the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the army of our host nation, here in the Bihanga Training<br />
School. Together we strive to achieve the same aim; give the most<br />
advanced training possible to the Somali trainees. We have also<br />
forged a solid bond with the Somali trainees and their military<br />
authorities in the camp and further developed our relationship and<br />
friendships amongst the training teams’ personnel themselves. We<br />
have combined our nation’s competencies and skills and deliver<br />
them as one. <strong>EUTM</strong> <strong>Somalia</strong> is an exceptional opportunity to<br />
share experiences for a fair cause. With UPDF and all European<br />
nations, the BTC is a training platform that wishes to have a part<br />
in the success of stabilising <strong>Somalia</strong>.
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