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 deepen security cooperation between both countries.
The training is taking place at an 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) disclosed this in a report on Monday.
According to the report, 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.
It said 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 OL Bauchi, said Nigerian leadership was given a range of training options from which it selected 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.
AFRICOM said unmanned aircraft systems attracted particular interest from the Nigerian forces, with Sgt Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, training about 10 members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment.
The UAS session began with about 45 minutes of classroom instruction, followed by practical training in operating the aircraft.
Murphy also instructed the Nigerian personnel on how to deploy the systems and incorporate 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 expressed interest in receiving additional training on the system.
Beyond technical and operational skills, AFRICOM said the joint exercises were also designed to strengthen ties and interoperability between American and Nigerian service members.
Feingold said the engagement was particularly useful in fostering 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 report added that US and Nigerian personnel also engage in recreational activities, including basketball and volleyball, when operational commitments and weather conditions permit.
AFRICOM said both countries were developing additional training opportunities at OL Bauchi as they continue to identify areas where their personnel can exchange expertise and improve military capabilities.
The latest training comes weeks after AFRICOM disclosed in July that the US had withdrawn most of the troops deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism operation, while maintaining an intelligence-sharing and security partnership with the country.
