US forces train Nigerian troops in unmanned aircraft systems and combat casualty care
United States forces have initiated training for Nigerian troops in various military skills, including unmanned aircraft systems and combat casualty care, at an operating location in Bauchi State. This initiative is part of a broader US-Nigeria security cooperation mission aimed at enhancing military capability, readiness, and long-term partner capacity. The training, detailed in a report by the United States Africa Command, covers Combat Lifesaver and Tactical Combat Casualty Care instruction, weapons familiarization, camouflage, water treatment and testing, explosive ordnance disposal, and small-unit tactics. Captain Gabriel Feingold, a logistics officer with the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, and operations officer at OL Bauchi, stated that Nigerian leadership selected training topics from options provided by US units. Unmanned aircraft systems generated significant interest, with Sergeant Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst, leading Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment members in hands-on training. The joint exercises also foster relationships and improve interoperability between American and Nigerian service members, with additional training opportunities being developed at OL Bauchi. This follows AFRICOM's July disclosure of the US withdrawing most troops deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism operation, while maintaining an intelligence-sharing and security partnership.
