Strengthening Military Training Ties Between Nigerian Navy and U.S.

Colonel Thomas Brooks, the U.S. Defence Attaché, seeks to strengthen military collaboration with Nigeria, focusing on enhancing training for the Nigerian Navy. He and Rear Admiral Micheal Oamen highlighted the importance of this partnership for regional security in the Gulf of Guinea. The cooperation aims to improve operational readiness and address maritime threats.

The U.S. Embassy’s Defence Attaché, Colonel Thomas Brooks, has expressed a keen interest in enhancing military relations between the United States and Nigeria, particularly focusing on the Nigerian Navy. During his recent visit to the Western Naval Command in Lagos, Colonel Brooks emphasized the necessity of expanding training programs to fortify the collaboration between the two nations’ naval forces.

Colonel Brooks, newly appointed as the U.S. Defence Attaché to Nigeria, acknowledged Nigeria’s historical significance as a robust security partner, highlighting that it possesses the largest and most capable navy in the Gulf of Guinea. He reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to bolster support for Nigeria’s naval capabilities. This visit marked his inaugural trip from Abuja to Lagos, allowing him to introduce himself and gather insights into the Western Naval Command’s challenges and priorities.

“My visit to the command is to meet with the commander of the Western Naval Command, to better understand its challenges and priorities,” Colonel Brooks stated. He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts and improved communication, aiming to explore opportunities for deploying U.S. military teams to Nigeria or facilitating training for Nigerian sailors in the U.S.

He stressed the significance of enhancing cooperation between the U.S. Navy and Nigerian Navy, as well as with other naval forces in Europe and Africa, to bolster security in the Gulf of Guinea. Colonel Brooks affirmed that the U.S. government recognises Nigeria’s pivotal role in regional security and is dedicated to extending support as needed.

Rear Admiral Micheal Oamen, the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, echoed the importance of the strong partnership with the U.S. Navy.

“We have a strong relationship in training and conducting exercises, especially in the Gulf of Guinea,” Rear Admiral Oamen remarked. He noted that joint training initiatives have proven beneficial, enabling the Nigerian Navy to maintain operational readiness for maritime security.

Rear Admiral Oamen also welcomed Colonel Brooks’ commitment to enhancing training and exercises, which he believes will significantly improve the Nigerian Navy’s preparedness against maritime threats. He underscored that the economic survival of Nigeria, with 80 percent of foreign exchange derived from maritime activities, relies heavily on effective maritime security.

The strengthening of military training ties between the United States and Nigeria, particularly through the Nigerian Navy, denotes a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing regional security in the Gulf of Guinea. Both Colonel Brooks and Rear Admiral Oamen underscored the importance of collaborative training and exercises to address maritime challenges and improve operational readiness. Such dedication signifies a promising future for U.S.-Nigeria relations in maritime security.

Original Source: prnigeria.com