Soldiers get a lesson in snake safety

Photo By Christina Bhatti | This African rock python was shown during a snake demonstration given by the Botswana Defense Force to members of 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard out of Mount Holly, during Southern Accord 2012. This is just one of the many dangerous species of snake which soldiers may encounter in the while in Botswana for the joint training exercise. (Photo by Army Sgt. Charlie Helmholt, 139th MPAD)  

THEBEPHATSHWA AIR BASE, BOTSWANA

08.10.2012

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

Story by Army Sgt. Charlie Helmholt
139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

THEBEPHATSHWA AIR BASE, Botswana – The Botswana Defense Force held a class on snake awareness Aug. 8, for U.S. military forces participating in Southern Accord 2012 at Thebephatshwa Air Base, Botswana.

SA 12 is an annual combined, joint exercise which brings together U.S. Forces with counterparts from the BDF, in order to enhance military capabilities and interoperability. The snake awareness class was given primarily for soldiers going on a three-day field training exercise at Shoshong Range.

The exercise will cover a combination of the training done so far, with soldiers staying in the field for the full three-day, two-night period. Because of this, the BDF wanted U.S. service members to be able to recognize and avoid certain species of snakes they may encounter during the exercise.

“This is the perfect time for this class,” said 1st Lt. Richard J. Lee, the executive officer for 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard, out of Mount Holly. “Our soldiers are getting ready to head out to the Shoshong Range and they’ll be sleeping outside, so it gave us some good tips to avoid potential accidents.”

Staff Sgt. Gosetsepako Lekgowe from the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks Snake Park, who has 18 years of snake-handling experience with the BDF, was the lead instructor of the class.

“This will help the troops,” said Lekgowe. “They now understand a snake’s behavior and how to react if they encounter them in the bush.”

The class was divided into two sections, a classroom portion followed by a hands-on demonstration. The BDF showcased a number of snakes, including a snouted cobra, a spitting cobra, a boom sling, two puff adders and an African rock python, and handled them in front of soldiers and other BDF members.

“Snakes react to movement,” said Lekgowe. “If you don’t move you can avoid an attack.”

American service members found the class both interesting and practical.

“The classroom [portion] was informative, but it was really great to be able to come out here and see the snakes and how they really act,” said Lee.

• Date Taken: 08.10.2012
• Date Posted: 08.15.2012 04:21
• Story ID: 93249
• Location: THEBEPHATSHWA AIR BASE, BW