NAF trains new helicopter backdoor gunners
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on 6 April announced that 18 of its personnel and 12 members of the Nigerian Army have completed training as helicopter backdoor gunners.
The joint training has been designed to improve coordination between the two Armed Forces domains and facilitate the integration of air-ground units during combat operations.
Over a period of five weeks, the military personnel were educated on Close Air Support tactics and procedures with the aim of improving reinforcement capabilities. This training has also previously been provided to Nigerian Police Forces.
A demonstration of the training was given which included an air-ground assault simulation whereby trainees engaged an enemy location from an Airbus H135M (formerly known as EC-135) helicopter and SF personnel rappelled from a Bell 412 aircraft into a hostile environment.
NAF Chief of Training and Operations, Air Vice Marshall James Gwani said that the training was needed to adapt the service to the changing nature of the security threats posed across the country.
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