The United States military has begun specialised training for Nigerian troops in unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care and other military skills as both countries strengthen their security partnership.
The training is being conducted at an Operating Location (OL) in Bauchi State under a broader US-Nigeria security cooperation programme designed to improve military capabilities, operational readiness and long-term partner capacity.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) disclosed this in a report on Monday.
According to AFRICOM, the training covers areas including 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.
The command said the training topics were selected from options presented by US personnel based on their expertise and the specific 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 OL Bauchi, said Nigerian commanders were given several options and selected the areas they considered most useful.
“We bring them a list of several different training topics, and they select what they think would be most beneficial for them,” Feingold said.
AFRICOM said unmanned aircraft systems generated particular interest among Nigerian forces. Sgt Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, trained about 10 personnel from the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment.
The UAS training began with roughly 45 minutes of classroom instruction before moving to practical exercises involving the operation of the aircraft.
Murphy also taught the Nigerian personnel how to deploy the systems and use intelligence collected through them to support military operations.
“They were really excited with being able to get hands-on time with it,” Murphy said, adding that the Nigerian personnel indicated they wanted further training on the system.
Beyond developing technical and operational skills, AFRICOM said the joint exercises are intended to improve cooperation and interoperability between US and Nigerian military personnel.
Feingold said the engagement was especially valuable for strengthening 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.
The US and Nigerian personnel also take part in recreational activities such as basketball and volleyball when operational duties and weather conditions allow.
AFRICOM said the two countries are working on additional training opportunities at OL Bauchi as they continue identifying areas where their personnel can share expertise and strengthen their military capabilities.
The latest exercise comes weeks after AFRICOM disclosed in July that the United States had withdrawn most of the troops deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism operation. However, the US said it would continue its intelligence-sharing and broader security partnership with Nigeria.
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