US troops train Nigerian troops using drones, among others

United States forces have begun training Nigerian troops on unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care and other military skills as part of efforts to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.

The training was conducted at operations sites in Bauchi State and is part of a broader US-Nigeria security cooperation mission aimed at enhancing the capabilities, readiness and capacity of long-term military partners.

This was stated in the United States Africa Command report on Monday.

The report said the training included Combat Rescue and Tactical Combat Casualty Care instruction, weapons familiarization, camouflage, water treatment and testing, explosive ordnance disposal, small unit tactics and unmanned aircraft systems.

“US and Nigerian forces are conducting a series of training events at Operations Site Bauchi, Nigeria, aimed at sharing military expertise, strengthening partner capacity and building relationships between service members from both countries.

“Training conducted between US and Nigerian forces in Bauchi included Combat Rescue and Tactical Combat Casualty Care instruction, weapons familiarization, camouflage, water treatment and testing, explosive ordnance disposal, small unit tactics and unmanned aircraft systems training,” the report said.

It said that training opportunities were developed based on the expertise available among US troops and areas that their Nigerian counterparts would find beneficial.

A logistics officer assigned to the US Army Task Force Southern Europe, Africa and operations officer at OL Bauchi, Captain Gabriel Feingold, said the US units provided the Nigerian leadership with a list of training options they could choose from in areas of interest.

“We give them a list of several different training topics, and they choose what they think will be most beneficial to them,” Feingold said.

The report said the unmanned aircraft system attracted particular interest among Nigerian troops, with Sergeant Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, leading about 10 members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment through the training.

The session began with approximately 45 minutes of instruction before Nigerian personnel received hands-on training in operating the aircraft.

Murphy also taught participants techniques for using UASs and incorporating information collected by the systems into military operations.

“They were very excited to be able to use it straight away,” Murphy said, adding that Nigerian personnel were interested in receiving further training on the system.

The US report said the joint exercises went beyond technical and operational skills, creating opportunities for American and Nigerian service members to build relationships and increase interoperability.

Feingold says these interactions are especially valuable at the lower levels of both forces.

“This helps build relationships between the army and partner forces, especially at the grassroots level,” he said.

The report added that US and Nigerian personnel also participate in basketball and volleyball when operational commitments and weather permit, providing additional opportunities to strengthen their relationship.

According to the report, additional training opportunities are being developed at OL Bauchi as both sides continue to identify areas to share military expertise and enhance their capabilities.

“Additional training opportunities are being developed at OL Bauchi as US and Nigerian forces continue to identify areas where their personnel can share expertise and train together,” he said.

This comes after AFRICOM in July revealed that the US had withdrawn most of the troops deployed to Nigeria for certain counterterrorism operations, while maintaining its intelligence and security sharing partnership with Nigeria.