AFRICOM says joint training is strengthening Nigeria’s military readiness, tactical capabilities and long-term security partnership with the United States.
United States and Nigerian military forces have commenced a series of joint training exercises in Bauchi State aimed at strengthening military capabilities, operational readiness and security cooperation between both countries.
The training, conducted at Operating Location Bauchi, covers unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Combat Lifesaver and Tactical Combat Casualty Care, weapons familiarisation, camouflage, water treatment, explosive ordnance disposal and small-unit tactics.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) disclosed this in a report on Monday, saying the training programme was developed around areas identified by Nigerian forces as beneficial to their operations.
According to the report, the unmanned aircraft systems training generated particular interest among Nigerian personnel, with US Army Sgt Mark Murphy leading about 10 members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment through practical sessions on operating and deploying the systems.
Murphy said the Nigerian personnel were enthusiastic about the hands-on training and expressed interest in receiving further instruction on the technology.
Capt. Gabriel Feingold, a US Army logistics officer and operations officer at OL Bauchi, said American forces provided Nigerian leadership with a range of training options from which they selected areas of priority.
The joint exercises also provided opportunities for US and Nigerian service members to build relationships and improve interoperability, particularly at lower operational levels.
AFRICOM said additional training opportunities were being developed at the Bauchi location as both countries continue to identify areas for sharing military expertise and improving their capabilities.
The development comes after AFRICOM disclosed in July that the United States had withdrawn most of its troops deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism operation, while maintaining intelligence-sharing and broader security cooperation with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.