Nigeria Opens Operations Support Facilities for A-29 Super Tucano Fleet

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Aaron Jones, left, 81st Fighter Squadron director of operations, explains the operation of an A-29 Super Tucano to Nigerian Air Force Air Vice Marshall Sule Lawal and NAF Group Captain Abdullahi Abu, Nigerian A-29 program foreign liaison officers, Oct. 6, 2020, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The 81st FS conducts combat training for NAF pilots and maintainers in the A-29 Super Tucano. Foreign liaison officers with the NAF, along with representatives of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force International Affairs, the Air Force Security Assistance and Training Squadron, and the Nigerian A-29 program, visited the 81st FS to discuss the future of the program and meet with students. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hayden Legg)U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Aaron Jones, left, 81st Fighter Squadron director of operations, explains the operation of an A-29 Super Tucano to Nigerian Air Force Air Vice Marshall Sule Lawal and NAF Group Captain Abdullahi Abu, Nigerian A-29 program foreign liaison officers, Oct. 6, 2020, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The 81st FS conducts combat training for NAF pilots and maintainers in the A-29 Super Tucano. Foreign liaison officers with the NAF, along with representatives of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force International Affairs, the Air Force Security Assistance and Training Squadron, and the Nigerian A-29 program, visited the 81st FS to discuss the future of the program and meet with students. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hayden Legg)

Nigerian and US Air Force personnel discuss Super Tucano program. Photo: Senior Airman Hayden Legg/US Air Force

The US Air Force has finished constructing support facilities for the Nigerian Air Force’s A-29 Super Tucanos at Kainji Air Base.

The spaces include storage areas, munition assembly sections, an A-29 flight simulation annex, and sunshades to house the light attack aircraft.

The $38 million project began last year and serves as US Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation’s (AFSAC) first major construction work in sub-Saharan Africa.

It is part of a $500 million foreign military sale package approved in 2018 to deliver 12 A-29s, associated training, and long-term sustainment to the Nigerian Air Force.

A-29 Super Tucano induction ceremonyA-29 Super Tucano induction ceremony
A-29 Super Tucano induction ceremony. Photo: US Embassy in Nigeria

“This ceremony marks the end of the construction process and the turnover of new facilities to the Nigerian Air Force for its use,” AFSAC Director Brig. Gen. Joel Safranek stated.

“The A-29 provides light attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities needed to confront security threats and the newly constructed facilities provide the support needed to keep the aircraft operational and effective.”

“The United States looks forward to a long-term, enduring relationship with Nigeria.”

Supporting Nigeria’s National Security

According to the US Air Force, Nigeria’s Super Tucano fleet and its corresponding support facilities will contribute to enhancing the country’s defense operability.

“The facilities and the aircraft will provide the Nigerian Air Force an advantage as they support their country’s national security,” AFSAC Program Manager David Snook said.

“The A-29 is important, not only to the region, but also our collective security posture to address challenges around the world,”  A-29 Nigeria Foreign Military Sales Program Manager Valerie Halvorsen added.

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