Soldiers from the Botswana Defence Force's (BDF) 29th Infantry Battalion participated in a month-long HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and voluntary testing campaign October 26, 2009, at the BDF Camp in Maun, Botswana.



Operation Survive and Thrive, now in its fourth year, is held annually to encourage BDF soldiers to learn their HIV status through voluntary counselling and testing. This year's campaign slogan, "Sekwata," is a Setswana language term associated with the military in Botswana that essentially translates as "squad mate" or "battle buddy," aimed to encourage soldiers and their peers to get tested and to promote responsible behaviour.



Maun activities came just days after the main Operation Survive and Thrive launch in Francistown. The campaign launch focused on discussions and presentations with assembled troops in an effort to focus clearly on effecting behaviour change. Troops listened intently to the unit chaplain and the camp's clinic commander, Major Jerius Chabanga, who urged them to consider their actions carefully and be responsible in their sexual behaviour.



Sekwata and Operation Survive and Thrive are part of a cooperative effort between the U.S. Department of Defence and the Botswana Defence Force to reduce the incidence of HIV infection among soldiers, family members and local civilians as well as improve force readiness within the BDF. These campaigns are funded through a $2 million program under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, managed by the U.S. Africa Command's (AFRICOM) Office of Security Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone.



Troops assigned to 29th Infantry Battalion are responsible for security in the vicinity of Botswana and also provide logistical support for battalions that rotate through the region on operational deployments.



Note: Wyatt is the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) chief of the Office of Security Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana