U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brig. General Thomas Tickner recently visited Kainji Air Base, to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the final phase of the $38 million construction project for A-29 Super Tucanos support facilities. The occasion was also attended by Deputy Director of the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate, Ronald Taylor, accompanied by senior Air Force officers. Nigerian air.
It was said that several key facilities, including sun visors, weapons assembly and storage rooms and an annex for the A-29 flight simulator, will be built at the site. The construction of this infrastructure necessary for the operation and maintenance of the A-29 Super Tucanos and their corresponding munitions is overseen by the US Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division, Europe District, which is part of the larger US Army Corps of Engineers.
Also read; Completion of the construction of an air force base in Egypt
During the occasion, Ambassador Leonard mentioned that the inauguration was more than just a celebration of a milestone in the construction of Kainji Air Base, but also appreciated the partnership that exists between Nigeria and the United States. The A-29 Super Tucano program, a project of the Nigerian Air Force demonstrates the work ethic, ingenuity and dedication of the Nigerian people.
Collaboration between the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US Air Force, the US Embassy and the Nigerian Air Force
US Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division Commander Tickner said they were pleased to work with the US Air Force, US Embassy and Nigerian Air Force to provide support facilities for their new fleet of A-29 Super Tucanos. plane.
It has been said that the United States is committed to helping Nigeria in its quest to become a more peaceful and prosperous country. The record-breaking $500 million construction project is a U.S. foreign military sale to Nigeria, which involves world-class training, the deployment of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and munitions. This is the largest case of US foreign military sale in sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating the US-Nigeria alliance.
Reported September 2020
Construction of Kainji Air Base facilities begins
Construction of new facilities to support the 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft planned for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the air arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces, has begun at Kainji Air Base located in the western state of Niger. at the southern end of Lake Kainji.
The project includes the construction of a new 12 km chain-link perimeter fence, an ammunition storage area including an observation tower and lighting, improvements to the two base entry checkpoints and the construction of a permanent arming/disarming zone.
Also Read: Nigeria begins feasibility study for construction of Brass Island shipyard
It also includes the renovation of an existing aircraft hangar and air traffic control tower, the configuration of a new simulator training room and the renovation of an aircraft parking area as well as converting an existing trail hammer into a temporary arm/disarm. location, converting a parking area into a tie-down and grounding area, and providing temporary aircraft structures and secure storage.
Project leaders
The project is funded by the Foreign Military Sales Construction Division of the United States Air Force Directorate of Security Assistance and Cooperation and contracted to the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Director of the Air Force’s Directorate of Security Assistance and Cooperation, Brigadier General Brian Bruckbauer, said the project represents his organization’s commitment to help modernize facilities and infrastructure of the Nigerian Air Force.
“As a member of the Nigeria A-29 Foreign Military Sales Program, and this is the FASFC’s first major construction project in Sub-Saharan Africa, we are pleased to be able to help the Nigerian people improve their defensive capabilities. and we look forward to building and strengthening this strategic partnership with the Nigerian people.
Construction work is expected to be completed before or in May 2024.
