The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday conducted a major air strike training exercise at the Kwernev Air Range in Makurdi, Benue State, aimed at sharpening combat readiness and improving coordination between Nigeria’s air and ground forces.
The event, tagged “Air-to-Ground Integration Exercise,” was organized by the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, Abuja, and forms part of a broader military training effort involving personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
During the exercise, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of Tactical Air Command (TAC), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Patrick Obeya, said the training demonstrates the Air Force’s commitment to national peace and security.
He explained that the drill was 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—programmes that focus on improving precision strike coordination and joint military operations.
“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,” Obeya said.
“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.”
The AOC said a total of 86 participants were drawn from the three branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—highlighting the growing emphasis on inter-service collaboration and joint combat proficiency.
Obeya noted that such realistic exercises are crucial in modern warfare, where quick coordination and shared understanding among different units can determine mission success.
“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 added.
The event included live-firing air strike demonstrations, showcasing how JTACs and ground troops can identify and mark enemy targets, which are then precisely neutralized by air assets. The drills also focused on improving communication channels between field operatives and aircrews to reduce errors and collateral damage.
AVM Obeya commended the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre for its consistency in delivering robust, tactical training courses and praised the centre’s efforts to develop operational strategies that enhance national defence.
He also thanked Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for the strong support given to security agencies and the cordial relationship between the military and civilian population in the state.
“We are grateful to His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Alia, for his visionary leadership and continued support for the Nigerian Armed Forces. His administration has helped maintain a peaceful and cooperative civil-military environment in Benue,” Obeya said.
In his remarks, AVM Michael Ekwueme, the Commandant of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, said the goal of the training was to promote unity, synchronization, and precision in joint military operations.
“Our main objective is to ensure that all units—whether on ground or in the air—can work together seamlessly. This improves our chances of neutralizing threats quickly and reduces the risk of operational mistakes,” he said.
Ekwueme highlighted that modern military operations demand accurate identification and swift neutralization of threats, especially in asymmetric warfare scenarios, such as those Nigeria faces in the North East, North Central, and other flashpoints.
“This kind of joint training is vital. It ensures that ground forces can trust that once they call for air support, targets are accurately and swiftly eliminated without unnecessary risk to civilians,” he added.
The Nigerian Armed Forces have in recent years intensified joint training programs and inter-agency cooperation as part of wider efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry, and other security threats across the country.
Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, has long hosted one of the key Nigerian Air Force bases and training sites. The Tactical Air Command (TAC), headquartered there, plays a central role in the NAF’s combat and support operations nationwide.
With the 2025 security landscape still posing significant challenges, the Nigerian military continues to push for better synergy between its branches, improved technology use, and greater precision in mission planning and execution.
