A team of British Military Advisory Training Team, BMATT on Monday arrived Nigeria and began training of 300 selected personnel of Nigerian Air Force, NAF, on base protection.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the training is to further equip the Nigerian Air Force personnel who protect NAF bases across the country with a view to guiding against the re-occurrence of Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri base in 2013 where some air asset were destroyed.
Leader of BMATT team, Wing Commander Rees stated that the 66-man team were in the country to provide military training to selected Air Force personnel on effective way of manning their bases against any form of attack.
He added that the training was premised on the long time British experience on warfare and the need to have safer NAF bases the world over.
Air Officer Commanding, Training Command, Kaduna, Air Vice Marshal Christopher Okoye also disclosed that the training would equip personnel to protect air bases and facilities across the country.
Christopher said the personnel would undergo special short term training, designed to develop their capacity “for Air Force protection in a complex air ground environment.”
He, however, advised the personnel to take the training very seriously, “as you are aware, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar is investing large resources in procuring air assets and upgrading NAF bases across the country.
“This worthy development requires accelerating the training of personnel to man the assets and facilities.
“In this regard, you were carefully selected to form the nucleus that will train additional personnel for the NAF.”
He further told the selected personnel to take full advantage of the course by giving a good account of themselves within the six weeks the training will last. “This course is unique as the graduates will form the foundation training team for Regiment Speciality.
“To our most valued training partner, the BMATT team, the NAF considers this collaboration necessary in developing a robust pool of regiment personnel within the shortest possible time.”
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