The Nigerian Army is to embark on a three week joint military training exercise with armed forces from the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Spain and Italy, around the coastal areas of the South-South and South Western region of Nigeria.
According to a statement by the Director Defence Information Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, the exercise is designed to improve the capacity of the Nigeria Armed Forces to plan and execute Joint Operations in the maritime environment.
He added that the exercise will focus on training activities in Joint Maritime Security Training Centre (JMSTC), and the Nigerian Army Amphibious Training School (ATS).
“Codenamed “AFRICAN WINDS”, the exercise is being spearheaded by the Nigerian Navy. It will be facilitated by a combined Mobile Training Teams (MTTs) of Marines and Special Forces drawn from the Netherlands, United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Spain and Italy under the auspices of African Partnership Station (APS).” The statement said.
The Netherlands Navy Amphibious Support Ship, the HMNLS ROTTERDAM, is scheduled to arrive Lagos and later proceed to Calabar will feature as a major platform in the exercise, Olukolade added.
