More Botswana Police pilots recently graduated at the Botswana Defence Force Flying Training School at Thebephatshwa Airbase. The three (3) being Sub-Inspectors Modiro Mabotho, Malebogo Moloi and Bakang Rasenyai join Seven (7) others to increase the strength of Botswana Police pilots to ten (10).
The trio become the second batch of pilots to join the BPS’s AIR Support Branch. The first batch, now spread in positions of chief pilot, captain and co-pilot, joined in 2009 after training in South Africa. They were at the time, joined by several other engineers trained in the United States of America.
The Branch’s fleet of three (3) high technology AS350 B3 Euro-copter helicopters, configured to perform a variety of flying functions will now have more pilot staff better trained to make use of these expensive helicopters and their associated equipments. The skills acquired by the new police pilots that included aviation law, navigation, emergencies, normal procedures, basic handling, close formation and instrument flying will boost air services’ aerial support currently demanded for its efficient rescue operation and swift capture of criminals and missing persons.
The new police pilots, comprising one female and two males bring to the Air Support Branch, fresh and innovative ideas able to turn the face of police air support services. The inclusion of a female officer is possibly the organization’s sensitivity and recognition of gender issues and motivation to serving female officers to aspire to become pilots.
The Commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Tebogo Masire commended the graduating police and army officers for their commitment during training. Speaking during the officers’ colourful graduation ceremony held at Thebephatshwa Airbase recently, Mr Masire said the 15 months training prepared trainees for both ground and flying experiences. He further said the cost of P1 Million spent on each individual officer during training showed the government’s value of officers’ personal responsibility and ability in undertaking an important and delicate air support role necessary for further enhancement of public safety and security.
The training of BPS pilots by BDF was the first and an opening for future training arrangements between the two disciplined organizations. A total of 14 officers, comprising 11 officers from BDF and three (3) from BPS, graduated.
Since the arrival of the first two helicopters in January 2009 and the third that came in August the same year, air services receive public attention due to its impressive breakthroughs and arrest of suspects. They continue to do well in traffic control, high-speed car pursuits, air patrol and riot control and general aerial observation.