NAF Conducts Counter
NAF Conducts Counter Terrorism Exercise along
Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari Axis
As part of its continued efforts geared towards developing the
capacity of its personnel to combat terrorism and secure lives and
properties of Nigerians, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today, 28
October 2019, conducted a Counter Terrorism (CT) Simulation
Exercise along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road. The Exercise, code named
“EXERCISE NA ZO”, was aimed at testing NAF operational doctrine and
tactics for effective CT operations as well as evaluating the
synergy between air and surface forces in a complex air-ground
operational environment. The CT Exercise (CTEX) involved NAF
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms as
well as attack aircraft along with NAF Special Forces (SF) and
Canine (K-9) Teams, who were practiced on their individual and
group skills in the planning, coordination and execution of CT
operations.
Speaking during the Exercise, the Special Guest of Honour
(SGOH), Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Olonisakin,
highlighted the critical importance of training and exercises to a
fighting force, like the NAF, towards ensuring greater success in
combat operations. According to him, the NAF had blazed the trail
by ensuring that its personnel are engaged in exercises that evolve
lessons, tactics and doctrine in the conduct of CT operations. Gen
Olonisakin stated that, as a Service vested with the enviable role
of protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria by air, the
timing of the Exercise was apt, affording the NAF the opportunity
to assess the physical alertness and combat readiness of its
personnel with a view to making necessary adjustments and changes.
“Even more important is the fact that an event of this nature is
being organized at a time the NAF and its sister Services are
engaged in counterinsurgency (COIN) operations in the Northeastern
part of Nigeria as well as Anti-banditry in the North West and
North Central”, he said.
The CDS seized the opportunity to express his profound
appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of
Nigeria (C-in-C), President Muhammadu Buhari, for his continued
support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in general and the NAF
in particular. He noted that Nigerians were undoubtedly
appreciative of the C-in-C’s commitment to ensuring a secured
Nigeria as well as the efforts of the AFN in the fight against
terrorism and other societal ills. While congratulating the Chief
of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and his team
for the well-conceived and timely exercise, the CDS expressed
optimism that the underlying lessons of the event would go a long
way in resolving the current security challenges in the
Country.
In his remarks, the CAS expressed his delight to have the CDS
physically present to witness the first ever CTEX conducted by the
NAF. He noted that the Exercise was deliberately conceptualized to
practice NAF air and ground elements in order to engender a better
understanding of the nuances of air-ground integration as well as
other critical elements of CT operations. He disclosed that the
Service would conduct a number of such exercises between October
2019 and January 2020 with a view to identifying and tackling
problems associated with air-ground integration as well as
highlighting the crucial role of joint planning and coordination to
the success of operations. Furthermore, he said the planned
simulation exercises would also enable the Service to appraise the
effectiveness of its Force Protection in Complex Air-Ground
Environment (FPCAGE) measures in securing its bases and air assets
for efficient, unhindered conduct of air operations. Air Marshal
Abubakar noted that, similar to EXERCISE NA ZO, the forthcoming
exercises would practice NAF Flying Units; Regiment and Special
Forces Teams; Air Provost and K-9 Units as well as Intelligence and
other elements, such as Medical, to enhance coordination and
improve decision-making of commanders in order to ensure mission
accomplishment in virtually every encounter. He added that the
conduct of such training had become even more crucial given the
increasing involvement of NAF Regiment and SF personnel in Internal
Security (IS) operations across the Country.
In his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding Special
Operations Command (AOC SOC), Air Vice Marshal James Gwani, said
the CTEX was in consonance with the CAS’ Vision to “reposition the
NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through
capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely
employment of air power in response to Nigeria’s national security
imperatives”. The timing for the event, he said, could not have
been more apt as the NAF is currently engaged in COIN,
anti-banditry and other IS operations in various operational
theatres within the country. He believed that the Exercise would go
a long way in further developing personnel’s capacity,
professionalism and combat readiness as the NAF continues to battle
forces of insecurity in the Nation.
Highlights of the occasion included the operational briefing and
giving of orders by the Commander 271 NAF Detachment Birnin Gwari,
Group Captain Idorenyin Bassey, along with his sub-unit and
component commanders, which was held behind closed doors. This was
followed by the seamless execution of the operational plan, which
featured live firing of rockets from NAF fixed and rotary wing
attack aircraft; insertion, by rappelling, of NAF SF and K-9
elements and movement of teams into the objective area as well as
subsequent rescue of hostages, arrest of the suspected armed
bandits, extraction of the assault team by road and evacuation of
casualties by air, while being provided with close air support by
an attack helicopter overhead the objective.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force