The US completed a $38 million Air Force Base upgrade for the A-29 Super Tucano on Friday, April 27. The construction of the Air Force Base upgrade is key to facilitating the operation and maintenance of his A-29 Super Tucano wings and ammunition stationed here.
The base upgrades are part of a larger, historic US$500 million U.S. military development that includes the delivery of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, precision weapons system, and world-class training, including air-to-ground integration to make airstrikes more accurate and reduce the risk of damage to civilians.
Chargé d’Affaires for Nigeria David Greene, Director of the U.S. Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate Brig. Gen. Joel Safranek, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division Commander Col. John Lloyd, and other U.S. officials celebrated the completion of the final phase of the A-29 Super Tucano support facility construction programme with Amao and other partners of the Nigeria Air Force.
The base improvements were delivered in two main phases, with the first phase completed in the summer of 2021 to allow for the safe delivery of the first A-29 aircraft, which now play a key role in Nigerian Air Force operations to combat violent extremist organizations, such as ISIS-West Africa and Boko Haram.
Crews are now finishing the second and final phase of air base improvement projects, which include improved base security, munitions storage and maintenance, aircraft hangars and aprons, and training facilities to ensure the continued successful operations of the new fighter wing.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, which is part of the larger U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division, oversaw the construction of these projects, which are key to facilitating the operation and maintenance of the 12 A-29 Super Tucanos and their accompanying munitions.
Speech:
Chargé d’Affaires for Nigeria David Greene stated:
“Since my arrival in Nigeria last year, I have closely tracked the progress of the A-29 program and am grateful, today, to celebrate the fruits of U.S.-Nigerian partnership and commitment, . Nigeria’s A-29 program is the largest U.S. foreign military sales case to date to a country in Sub-Saharan Africa, an example of Nigeria’s leadership in being, as is the Nigerian Air Force’s motto, ‘willing, able, and ready’ to contribute to security and stability at home and around the region.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division Commander Col. John Lloyd said:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proudly supports our international partners like Nigeria by providing unique engineering expertise to bolster security capabilities, strengthen strategic relationships, and contribute to regional security,”
Here at Kainji Air Base, it has been an absolute privilege to partner with the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Air Force, and the Nigerian Air Force to deliver these support facilities for their new fleet of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.
As part of its larger mission of administering security assistance programs around the world, the U.S. Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate is managing the overall $500 million foreign military sale.
Director of the U.S. Air Force Security Assistance Joel Safranek said:
Today is a proud occasion, not only for the country of Nigeria and the Nigerian Air Force, but also for the United States of America, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army
These new capabilities will help address the growing security challenges in the region and counter the significant impact and threats posed to the people of Nigeria. It proves that together, as Partner Nations, and Military Allied Partners, we can accomplish great things which, in the end, make the country of Nigeria and the world a safer place.
cc: Daily Trust Ng
