The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed its first-ever Pre-Deployment Training for Medical Evacuation Teams, a groundbreaking exercise aimed at reducing combat-related fatalities and enhancing frontline medical support.
The three-day training, held from 18–20 August 2025 at the NAF School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine (NAFSMSAM), Kaduna, focused on airway management, bleeding control, and psychological first aid. These skills are designed to provide lifesaving interventions before wounded personnel are evacuated to hospitals or safe zones.
By introducing the programme, the NAF seeks to bolster troop resilience in active operations while expanding its capacity to deliver rapid medical response in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, described the training as a strategic step toward improving operational effectiveness.
“Our men and women face difficult environments daily. They must be equipped not only to defend the nation but to preserve life in the line of duty. This training reflects our commitment to building a combat-ready, resilient force capable of saving lives in the harshest conditions,” he said.
He added that the initiative aligns with his vision of repositioning the NAF as a highly professional, people-centric force.
Also speaking, the Chief of Medical Services (CMS), Air Vice Marshal Anthony Chidi Ekpe, commended NAFSMSAM for spearheading the capacity-building effort.
“This training goes beyond skills — it is about confidence, preparedness, and the assurance that no soldier is left behind on the battlefield. The knowledge gained will serve our personnel in and out of uniform, reaffirming NAF’s leadership in combat casualty care,” he said.
The programme, officials noted, marks a milestone in the NAF’s operational readiness, reinforcing its commitment to saving lives, sustaining troop morale, and strengthening its role in counter-insurgency operations, particularly in the North East.
Credit: @NigAirForce via X.
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