The United States Department of State and Department of Defense officials, alongside their Nigerian counterparts, have celebrated the completion of $38 million of improvements to the Kainji Air Base in Nigeria. The air base improvements are essential to facilitate the operation and maintenance of the A-29 Super Tucano wing and associated munitions stationed there.
The US 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 US officials joined Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao to commemorate the completion of the final phase of the construction program for A-29 Super Tucano support facilities.
The improvements were delivered as part of a $500 million U.S. foreign military sale to Nigeria, which included the delivery of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, precision munitions, and world-class training, including air-to-ground integration training to make airstrikes more accurate and reduce the risk of civilian harm.
The US 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 essential to facilitate the operation and maintenance of the 12 A-29 Super Tucanos and their accompanying munitions.
The US Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate is managing the overall $500 million foreign military sale as part of its larger mission of administering security assistance programs around the world.
The Kainji Air Base improvements were delivered in two main phases, with the first phase completed in summer 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 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.
“This is the largest US foreign military sales case in sub-Saharan Africa and demonstrates the strong partnership between the United States and Nigeria,” said Chargé d’Affaires Greene.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, is proud to support international partners like Nigeria by providing unique engineering expertise to bolster security capabilities, strengthen strategic relationships, and contribute to regional security. The 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.
“The completion of the Kainji Air Base improvements 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,” said Director Safranek. “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.”
The completion of the $38 million Kainji Air Base facility improvements marks an important milestone in US-Nigerian partnership and commitment, contributing to security and stability at home and around the region. The United States remains committed to assisting Nigeria in its efforts to create a more peaceful and prosperous nation.
