The United States military has commenced specialised training for Nigerian troops in unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care and other operational skills as part of efforts to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.
The training is being conducted at an operating location in Bauchi State under the broader US-Nigeria military partnership aimed at improving operational readiness, building local capabilities and enhancing interoperability between the two forces.
According to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), the programme covers Combat Lifesaver and Tactical Combat Casualty Care, weapons familiarisation, camouflage techniques, water treatment and testing, explosive ordnance disposal, small-unit tactics and unmanned aircraft systems.
“U.S. and Nigerian forces are conducting a series of training events at Operating Location Bauchi, Nigeria, aimed at sharing military expertise, strengthening partner capacity and building relationships between service members from both nations,” AFRICOM said.
The training programme was developed after Nigerian military officials identified areas where additional expertise and capacity-building were required.
Capt. Gabriel Feingold, a logistics officer with the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, said American personnel presented their Nigerian counterparts with several training options and allowed them to select the areas they 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.
Particular attention was given to unmanned aircraft systems, with Sgt. Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, leading a practical session for about 10 members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment.
The session began with classroom instruction before the participants received hands-on training in operating the aircraft.
Murphy also demonstrated how unmanned systems could be deployed and how intelligence gathered through the technology could be incorporated into military operations.
“They were really excited with being able to get hands-on time with it,” Murphy said, adding that the Nigerian personnel expressed interest in receiving further training on the systems.
