In a show of readiness to crush insurgents, bandits and perpetrators of evil, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has conducted an air strike training exercise in Benue State.
At the event held at the Kwernev Air Range in Makurdi, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the Tactical Air Command (TAC), Air Vice Marshal Patrick Obeya, restated the force’s dedication to making sure peace and stability reign across the nation.
Obeya said that the exercise, titled “Air-to-Ground Integration Exercise,” was conducted by the NAF Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, Abuja.
He stated that it formed part of the Advanced Air-to-Ground Integration Course 3/25, Joint Fires Observers Course 2/25, and the Annual Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Proficiency Training.
He told reporters that the exercise involved 86 participants drawn from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, reflecting NAF’s continuous drive for professionalism, effective joint operations, and operational excellence.
According to him, the training demonstrates the readiness and alignment of the Air Force with the nation’s overall security goals.
The AOC stated that the event was designed to strengthen coordination between air and ground forces for improved mission success.
“The exercise you will witness today is a live-firing demonstration designed to enhance the capacity of joint terminal attack controllers and joint fire observers.
“These personnel serve as the vital link between air and ground forces during combat operations, ensuring that precision air strikes are effectively coordinated to achieve tactical and strategic objectives while minimising collateral damage.
“Through realistic training such as this, we ensure that our aircrew, ground liaison elements, and supporting units operate with shared understanding, precision, and mutual trust,” he said.
Obeya commended the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre for its dedication to producing effective training programs and robust doctrinal strategies.
He also expressed gratitude to Governor Hyacinth Alia for his unwavering support, visionary governance, and the cordial civil-military relations maintained in Benue State.
Speaking earlier, AVM Michael Ekwueme, Commandant of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, informed that the purpose of the exercise was to boost unity and synchronization during military operations.
Ekwueme informed that such trainings not only boost the efficiency of security forces in battling threats but also help reduce collateral damage and operational errors.
He said further that the exercise ensures that targets spotted by forces on ground are quickly and accurately terminated.
