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 being conducted at a US Operating Location in Bauchi State under a broader US-Nigeria security cooperation programme aimed at improving military capabilities, operational readiness and long-term capacity.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) disclosed this in a report on Monday.
According to AFRICOM, the training 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.
The command said the areas of training 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 the Bauchi location, said Nigerian military leaders were given several options and selected those considered most relevant.
“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 Nigerian forces, with Sgt. Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, training about 10 personnel from the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment.
The UAS training began with classroom instruction before moving to practical exercises involving the operation and deployment of the aircraft.
Murphy also trained the Nigerian personnel on how to deploy the systems and use intelligence gathered 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 had expressed interest in receiving further training.
Beyond technical and operational skills, AFRICOM said the joint exercises were designed to improve interoperability and strengthen relationships between American and Nigerian military personnel.
Feingold said the engagements were particularly valuable in building relationships between personnel at different levels of the two forces.
“It helps build relationships between Soldiers and the partner force, especially at the lower levels,” he said.
The US and Nigerian personnel also participate in recreational activities, including basketball and volleyball, when operational commitments and weather conditions allow.
AFRICOM said additional training opportunities were being developed at the Bauchi location as both countries continue to identify areas for knowledge exchange and improved military capabilities.
The latest exercise comes weeks after AFRICOM disclosed in July that the United States had withdrawn most of its troops deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism operation while maintaining intelligence-sharing and broader security cooperation with the country.
