Adedokun Waliyu The United States military has commenced specialised training for Nigerian troops in unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care and other military skills as part of efforts to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.
The training is taking place at a US military Operating Location in Bauchi State under a broader US-Nigeria security cooperation mission focused on improving military capability, operational readiness and long-term partner capacity.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the training programme covers Combat Lifesaver and Tactical Combat Casualty Care, weapons familiarisation, camouflage, water treatment and testing, explosive ordnance disposal, small-unit tactics and unmanned aircraft systems.
According to AFRICOM, the training areas were selected from options provided by US personnel based on their expertise and the needs identified by their Nigerian counterparts.
Capt. Gabriel Feingold, a logistics officer with the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa and operations officer at the Bauchi operating location, said Nigerian military leadership was given several training options and selected the areas considered most beneficial.
“We bring them a list of several different training topics, and they select what they think would be most beneficial for them,” Feingold said.
The unmanned aircraft systems training attracted particular interest from Nigerian forces. Sgt. Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, trained about 10 members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment.
The UAS training began with classroom instruction before moving to practical sessions in which the Nigerian personnel learned how to operate the aircraft.
Murphy also trained the Nigerian troops on deploying the systems and incorporating intelligence gathered through them into military operations.
“They were really excited with being able to get hands-on time with it,” Murphy said, adding that the Nigerian personnel had expressed interest in receiving additional training on the system.
Beyond technical and operational skills, AFRICOM said the joint exercises are designed to strengthen relationships and interoperability between American and Nigerian service members.
Feingold said the engagement was particularly useful for building relationships between personnel at the lower levels of both forces.
“It helps build relationships between Soldiers and the partner force, especially at the lower levels,” he said.
US and Nigerian personnel also participate in recreational activities, including basketball and volleyball, when operational commitments and weather conditions permit.
AFRICOM said both countries are developing additional training opportunities at the Bauchi operating location as they continue to identify areas where personnel from both countries can exchange expertise and improve military capabilities.
The latest training comes weeks after AFRICOM disclosed that the United States had withdrawn most of the troops deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism operation, while maintaining intelligence-sharing and broader security cooperation with the country.
