NAF Boosts Joint Combat Readiness With Air-Ground Integration Training
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre (AWDC), has enhanced joint operational readiness with an in-theatre Air-to-Ground Integration (AGI) and Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) orientation programme for personnel of Operation Savannah Shield.
According to the NAF on Wednesday, the training which held from 22 to 26 June 2026, brought together personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and the NAF to strengthen interoperability, improve air-ground coordination and enhance mission planning and execution in complex operational environments.
The programme combined classroom sessions, interactive discussions and practical demonstrations to build participants’ competence in joint force employment. It covered air-to-ground integration procedures, joint planning, mission coordination and contemporary operational practices, while also highlighting the legal, ethical and operational frameworks for mitigating civilian harm during military operations.
As part of the initiative, the AWDC also conducted an abridged Air Liaison Officers’ course for NAF pilots and Regiment officers at NAF Base Kainji. The course expanded participants’ knowledge of joint air operations, operational planning, air mobility coordination and inter-service collaboration, reinforcing the importance of seamless battlefield integration.
Speaking during the training, the Commandant of the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, Air Vice Marshal Garba Jibia, stressed that effective coordination between air and ground forces is increasingly vital in addressing evolving security threats. He noted that rapid decision-making and seamless cooperation remain indispensable to mission success.
Quoting the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who stated that “Decisive air power delivers its greatest effect when seamlessly integrated with surface operations,” Air Vice Marshal Jibia said the programme was designed to improve professionalism, mission readiness and operational effectiveness in line with the Chief of the Air Staff’s command philosophy.
Participants described the training as practical, insightful and professionally enriching, saying the knowledge gained would enhance future operational planning and mission coordination.
The successful programme underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s continued commitment to building an integrated, mission-ready joint force capable of delivering precise air power while minimising civilian harm and strengthening national security.
