horlams:


The muzzle did not change in both models

The muzzle of the beryl the Nigerian soldier is carrying is similar to that of an AK-74m. Muzzle differences come with customer requirements in some instances.

#RANDOM PICTURES

Henry240:


The muzzle of the beryl the Nigerian soldier is carrying is similar to that of an AK-74m. Muzzle differences come with customer requirements in some instances.

Oh, I grab

Unravelling the arms deals


The Muhammadu Buhari administration has started making good its pledge to probe the big-time financial transactions of the previous administration with the on-going investigation of arms deals between 2007 and May 29th 2015. Already, a 13-man committee constituted to examine the transactions has unearthed what it described as large-scale scams totalling N643.817 billion and $2.193 billion after a preliminary inquiry.

These sums are mind boggling, and no responsible and accountable government will fail to bring in all those connected with the deals to say what they know about them.

Already, the administration, which had put the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col Sambo Dasuki under arrest, has reportedly caused the security agencies to arrest a number of former service chiefs, some officials of the former President Goodluck Jonathan regime and some prominent businessmen into custody.

We strongly believe that anyone or group of persons entrusted with the power and duties of public office must stand ready, at any time, to give account whenever the need arises. To this end, we are in full support of this and other probes that may follow in the days ahead.

This is more so because the nation suffered heavy losses as a result of alleged lack of relevant military equipment to suppress the Boko Haram insurgency, which started like a joke and blew up within months to become a major threat to the nation and the West Africa sub-region.

We lost thousands of innocent citizens, including our gallant and heroic soldiers, policemen and other security personnel. Schools, hospitals and communities were destroyed and defenceless men, women, girls, children and the aged abducted by the terrorists. We lost a large tranche of territories, which are just now being recovered through military operations. Indeed the losses are unquantifiable.

If it is established that people given the sacred duty of spending public funds to protect the nation and its people actually diverted some or all of the funds to private uses, then the culprits must be brought to face the full weight of the law and proceeds of their criminal activities recovered. This should be the beginning of the conscious culture of putting public officers and their collaborators on notice that no one can toy with the vital interests of the nation and get away with it.

However, because of  these probes and prosecutions have the potential to be politicised both by elements in government and their  opponents, we insist on full disclosure of all facts to the public, and the transparent, due process conduct of all probes and trials.

If the involvement of the media, civil society and international stakeholders as observers will ensure a total depoliticisation of the process, then so be it.

#RANDOM PICTURES

KENYA AIR FORCE PICTURES

(PHOTOS) Troops Kill Boko Haram Members, Rescue 210 Captives
WARNING ; GRAPHIC PICTURES.


Gallant soldiers of the Nigerian Army have reportedly killed five Boko Haram members at Furkati village in Geidam local government area.

Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, who made this known in a statement, said the terrorists were killed in an encounter with soldiers on Wednesday, December 9. He said 4 AK-47 rifles were recovered from the dead terrorists.

The military spokesman further hinted that troops also responded to tip off that the terrorists had annexed Ejilije, Bulagaije-lari, Bulagaije-Adamde and Ajiri villages, holding the residents hostage.

Usman said the terrorists fled the area upon hearing the advancement of the soldiers. He said the troops found and rescued 210 captives, mostly elderly men, women and children. He said they have all been safely evacuated to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.

According to him, the rescued persons revealed that they were brought to the settlement by Boko Haram members from various villages to be used as human shield in case if advancing troops of the Nigerian Army storm the area to attack the terrorists.

The spokesman said troops recovered 1 Machine Gun barrel, 4 loaded magazines of G3 rifles, 4 Dane guns and some quantities of 7.62mm ammunitions, as well as empty canisters of Mortar bombs and a bandoleer.

“The gallant soldiers have continued their advance, raids and patrols to further deny the Boko Haram terrorists freedom of action,” he said.

MORE.....

ECOMOG AIR OPERATIONS DURING THE LIBERIAN CIVIL WAR..AN OFFICIAL OVERVIEW OF THE EARLY PHASES; 1,000 SORTIES FLOWN OCTOBER 1992-JULY 1993


Between September and December 1990, the four Alpha jets deployed by the NAF in support of ECOMOG operations in Liberia were equipped with 30mm cannons, 68mm High Explosive and Armour-Piercing rockets.

First Phase of Air Operations :
September – December 1990

* destruction of enemy convoys retreating along the Ricks Institute axis on 28th and 30th October 1990 respectively

* During the first few days, Alpha Jets destroyed the NPFL troops and supplies inbound to Monrovia from Robertsfield International Airport (RIA)

* a significant mission was the rocket attack on gun emplacements at Robertsfield International Airport by a formation of three Alpha jets. During this mission, one A-Jet sustained aslight damage by anti-aircraft artillery (AAA or triple-A as it is called by pilots)

* At Kakata, rebel leader Charles Taylor’s Headquarters was also bombed forcing him to move his HQ further north to Gbanga

* During the 3rd week of November 1990, ships that were offloading cargo were sunk at Buchanan seaport while ammunition dumps and oil installations were destroyed.

According to the then Commander ECOMOG AIR DETACHMENT(EAD), Group Captain Gana “these missions were so successful that Time Magazine of 1 December 1990 wrote: ‘ The firepower of NAF fighter aircraft has finally dealt an incalculable blow to the war effort of the NPFL leader’

Phase II of the Air Operations
(Jan to Sept 1992)

On 15th October 1992, NPFL rebels broke the Ceasefire Agreement and launched an offensive on Monrovia code-name ‘Operation Octopus’ aimed at completely rooting out ECOMOG Forces from Monrovia.

According to the then Field Commander, Maj General Tunji Olurin, while reflecting on the situation, observed with satisfaction that ‘but for my darling NAF,the situation in Liberia today would have been different’.

Phase III of Air Operations
Oct 1992 to July 1993

The ECOMOG Air Detachment was redesignated ECOMOG AIR TASK FORCE(EATF) with the Task Force Commander now directly responsible to the ECOMOG Field Commander.

The Beluga cluster, penetration and general purpose bombs of various sizes in addition to existing rockets and cannons was used to equip the Force comprising six(6) Alpha Jets.

Intelligence reports comfirmed that the NPFL had acquired ZSU Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery, radar guided rapid-fire machine guns and short-range surface-to-air missiles.

During the first week, 33 close air support sorties were launched using the area advantage and the overwhelming firepower of the Beluga cluster bomb was generously employed to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy, beating back the rebels at Caldwell,Somalia Drive, Samuka Junction,Gardnersville and Wood Camp.

The NPFL trenches and gun emplacements were fished out and attacked with rockets at Johnsonville and Mount Barclay area.

As the intensity of the air raids increased, search and destroy recce missions were sustained to make life even more unbearable for the rebels until the capture of Robertsfield International Airport and Kakata, with the roads from Monrovia to Kakata and from Monrovia to Harbel littered with destroyed enemy trucks and light vehicles which fell victim to NAF fighter jets on recce missions.

Initially, all Alpha Jet missions were conducted in daylight. The rebels later resorted almost completely to nocturnal activities causing unacceptable casualties to ECOMOG troops, hence the need for A-Jets to conduct some form of night activity into the battle area in order to check the NPFL nocturnal confidence.

The Alpha jet is not designed for night attack roles as the basic navigation equipment onboard depends on information from ground stations which were not usually operated on 24-hour basis. Nevertheless it was decided to give night operations a trial.

Safe parameters and procedures to govern night weapon delivery on the A-jet were established and this was incorporated into NAF A-jet recurrency programme and shortly after,a few of the “most experienced fighter pilots were cleared to undertake night attack missions.

The first of these attacks was at Caldwell base during the battle for Monrovia. Also night attacks were conducted at Gardnersville and Samuka Junction and vehicle convoys were also attacked at Harbel and Gbanga, making life unbearable for the rebels day and night.

The 70km advance to Buchanan from Robertsfield International Airport and its eventual capture in April 1993 is reported by Group Captain Gana to have presented most of tactical problems encountered in a conventional operation. The A-jets prevented the NPFL not just from placing huge obstacles along the roads but also from blowing up the bridges en route.

One significant achievement of the fighters in this advance was the prevention of the demolition of Saint Johns River Bridge. This 100-meter long bridge was observed from the air to have been loaded with high explosives in preparation for demolition on the night of 31 March 1993.

The successful march to Buchanan depended on the use of this bridge,so the A-jets quickly established a combat air patrol(CAP) over it as early as 0500hrs. All attempted movement towards the bridge by rebels on the ground in a bid to detonate the explosives were promptly checked by heavy cannon fire from the fighters overhead until ECOMOG troops arrived and crossed safely after the bridge had been demined by NA Engineers.

Buchanan town was already deserted by rebels before its capture, due to A-jets raids on their positions.

A-jets interdiction missions in this phase were designed to interrupt Taylor’s sources of revenue and war resources

As such, bombing missions were targeted on the following installations:

– Robertsfield International Airport and other airfields at Zwedru and Sanniquelle;

– Buchanan, Greenville and Harper seaports

– Military installations and ammunition dumps in Gbanga

– Inbound vessels with confirmed military cargo or petroleum products

– Notorious border posts along the border with Cote D’Ivoire particularly the one at Loguatou.

At the end of the interdiction missions, 6 merchant ships and several boats were destroyed.NPFL military and economic activities were almost paralysed. It was time for Taylor to once again agree to a ceasefire conference.

These achievements were fortunately without Air Force casualty. The fighters flew well over 1000 combat sorties and the rebels could not bring down one aircraft.

However, some jets sustained airframe damage from high calibre machine guns but none of the heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles from the rebels found its target.


Source /credits ; Beegeagles blog.

ECOMOG AIR OPERATIONS(II) -SPOTLIGHT ON THE PHASES AND STATISTICS OF ‘OPERATION LIBERTY (1990-97)’ AND ‘OPERATION SANDSTORM(1997-98)’



The Nigerian Air Force involvement in ECOMOG started on September 17 1990. Four units of Alpha Jet landed at Lungi airport on September 20, 1990.

In Op Liberty (1990-98) and Op Sandstorm (1997-98), more than 20% of air power employment was Close Air Support (CAS) and Deep Interdiction Mission (DIM) missions for ground forces.

In CAS missions, 350 sorties were flown with 266 sorties for Air Interdiction missions in Op Liberty. This represent 26% of combat support missions.
NAF A-jets were also used as armed escort to C-130, Super Puma helicopters and civil aircraft. About 9% of A-jet missions were dedicated to maritime and air patrol.

The Nigerian Air Force however lost three (3) A-jets (with no crew losses) while ten (10) sustained Category 2-3 damages.

Weapons employed were conventional unguided munitions e.g. Beluga cluster bombs (CBU),Durandal cratering bombs, 250kg GP bombs and 125kg drag bombs.

A-jets as configured were not perfect platforms for the delivery of these bomb types which necessitated steep dive bombing runs therefore exposing the jets to tripple-A fire.

In CAS missions, 556 sorties (21%) were flown; in Air interdiction missions, 613 sorties (23%) were flown; in Counter Air Operations 116 sorties (4%) were flown; in armed recce, 701 sorties (26%) were flown; in maritime recce and attack, 240 sorties (9%) were flown.

Source/credit ; Beegeagles blog.

#OPERATIONLAFIYADOLE; Troops suffered minor setback.

Some soldiers conveying foodstuffs to troops were ambushed along Bama-Ngurosoye by suspected Boko Haram elements on Thursday.
A search and rescue team that was sent to Bokos general area has recovered corpses of a soldier and a civilian JTF, as well 6 burnt AK-47 rifles. The team has also intensified search for a missing soldier. The Explosive Ordinance Device element on the team have discovered and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device buried along the road.

They have also found out and destroyed Boko Haram terrorists hideout in the area. It will be recalled that Ngurosoye has been cleared of terrorists months ago, but some elements of Boko Haram terrorists that were thought to be innocent civilians, sneaked into that and sprang an ambush on troops escorting supplies to our force at the front lines yesterday.

Despite the unfortunate incident, troops morale remain very high and they have continued with their patriotic duties of searching for and destroying the Boko Haram terrorists in their enclaves.

According to Wikipedia, Nigeria uses the Ghurka F5..has anyone seen them?

RANDOM PICTURES.


1st pic is a soldier posing with an AK variant with the scope sight on the riffle.

2nd pic is a soldier @ a shooting range in the north east.

3rd pic is a HMG of Gun boat

4th pic is an AA gun NNS Aradu.

horlams:
According to Wikipedia, Nigeria uses the Ghurka F5..has anyone seen them?

The picture is not showing?

bidexiii:
The picture is not showing?

Oh!

horlams:
According to Wikipedia, Nigeria uses the Ghurka F5..has anyone seen them?

I think they are bot being used by NA but by foreign affairs ministries ; http://www.dragtimes.ru/en/blogs/view/252

#COUNTERING SECURITY CHALLENGES

1st pic is NA troops in the north east.

2nd & 3rd are NPF RRS posing with a fennec & a bell variant chopper.


Someone pls I'D the 1st chopper........?

bidexiii:
#COUNTERING SECURITY CHALLENGES

1st pic is NA troops in the north east.

2nd & 3rd are NPF RRS posing with a fennec chopper


Someone pls I'D the 1st chopper........?

Bell 429

Stephandeswardt:



Bell 429

Tnks mate...

#CTCION PHOTOS

How well trained are the Belarus special forces.....there is almost no information on them

Stephandeswardt:
How well trained are the Belarus special forces.....there is almost no information on them

Some Belarus and some russia.........how well trained they are? ; they are bad-ass-soldiers

Stephandeswardt:
How well trained are the Belarus special forces.....there is almost no information on them

I don't think we trained soldiers in Belarus. Only MI-35 pilots are trained in belarus.


Over 1500 men drawn from the Army, Navy, Airforce and DSS were trained in Russia. These men are the Army's core elite commando unit, the best the Army currently has.


However, our best trained and most experienced soldiers are Navy SBS, no other unit comes close.

Henry240:


I don't think we trained soldiers in Belarus. Only MI-35 pilots are trained in belarus.


Over 1500 men drawn from the Army, Navy, Airforce and DSS were trained in Russia. These men are the Army's core elite commando unit, the best the Army currently has.


However, our best trained and most experienced soldiers are Navy SBS, no other unit comes close.

To some extent I disagree with you. They where the best until the NA SF frm russia arrived in the battle theatre. These new NA SF has being actively involved since they arrived.
The 72 Sf rangers........also are not left out, my question his how active are d abs commandos involved CTCION. ?

bidexiii:


To some extent I disagree with you. They where the best until the NA SF frm russia arrived in the battle theatre. These new NA SF has being actively involved since they arrived.
The 72 Sf rangers........also are not left out, my question his how active are d abs commandos involved CTCION. ?

I think the Navy SBS are still the best 'All Purpose' trained fighters we have. the conditions surrounding the training of the army special forces make them 'limited'. Think of ops like underwater demolition,etc

bidexiii:


To some extent I disagree with you. They where the best until the NA SF frm russia arrived in the battle theatre. These new NA SF has being actively involved since they arrived.
The 72 Sf rangers........also are not left out, my question his how active are d abs commandos involved CTCION. ?

"Need i remind you that Gucci gear doesn't mean effective or best trained?".


Nigerian Navy Special boat service was formed in 2006, we cannot simply compare the sort of training and experience Navy SBS go through to qualify with our "kindargaten" Army special units which were only recently formed.


Every Navy commando goes through a rigorous training regiment before they can qualify as operators, they must be combat sea divers, Airborne qualified, Mountaineering qualified, VBSS qualified, HVT qualified, CTCOIN etc etc.




Training regiment includes


*Counter Insurgency/Riverine Operations in the maritime
domain
*Hostage Taking
*Piracy
*Oil and Gas platforms seizure
Pursuant to the elimination of these threats, the specific
funtions undertaken by the SBS include
– Direct action ( small scale strike)
– Beach Reconnaissance and Intelligence Gathering ahead
of amphibious operations
– Counter terrorism/Hostage Rescue
-Counter Piracy
TRAINING
Basic Operational Capability (BOC) Course
Curriculum
It is the first basic course which moulds Nigerian Navy
sailors into special warfare operators. The
Basic Operational Capability Course lasts six months. The
BOC Course has 3 phases
– Physical Conditioning phase
– Maritime Warfare Phase
– Land Warfare phase
Physical conditioning – This is the toughest phase of the ab
initio training which is held at beginning of the course. It
entails extreme physical training aimed at weeding out the
weak.
Maritime Warfare phase
This essentially involves small boats operations and tactics
and centres on handling flat-bottomed and assault boats
– Visit Board Search and Sieze Operations (counter piracy
and taking over ships at sea)
– counter insurgency and contact drills for riverine warfare
– navigation and survival swimming
– insertion and extraction for operations by boat
– combat diving
Land Warfare phase
– Map reading
– Close Quarter Battle (CQB)
– Hostage Rescue and Fighting in Built Up Areas ( FIBUA)
– Reconnaissance, Ambush and raids
– Explosives and Demolition
– Weapon Handling and Range Qualification.
Training Partnerships for Qualified SBS personnel include
* Joint Training with US Navy SEALs
* Training with Isreali Special Operations Training Groups
* Training with the State Security Services (SSS) of Nigeria
* Training with the Pakistan Navy Special Services Group
(SSG)

bidexiii:


To some extent I disagree with you. They where the best until the NA SF frm russia arrived in the battle theatre. These new NA SF has being actively involved since they arrived.
The 72 Sf rangers........also are not left out, my question his how active are d abs commandos involved CTCION. ?

Hope you know that in many areas the Rangers liberated, they didn't engage the enemy, the enemy simply picked up his bags, resources and fled.

Based on facts, there are no hard facts available for the new S.F unit to score them with, a couple months training in Russia cannot be compared with a unit that has 9 years experience in the field.


Navy commandos are simply the best Nigeria currently has to offer.

.

Henry240:


Hope you know that in many areas the Rangers liberated, they didn't engage the enemy, the enemy simply picked up his bags, resources and fled.

Based on facts, there are no hard facts available for the new S.F unit to score them with, a couple months training in Russia cannot be compared with a unit that has 9 years experience in the field.


Navy commandos are simply the best Nigeria currently has to offer.

A couple of training in overseas does not mean anything nether gucci gear....but how active they in battle field theatres...........how often are they tested and proven.
NA SF since there arrival has carried out a lot of recons and operations behind the enemy lines........!

dakingsman:


trained in belarus not russia bruv, or which SF are u talking about. remember each unit has there responsibility and are trained accordingly

Of-course, we talking experience and training regiment of Nigeria's premier units.

In terms of age, training and experience, Navy SBS are Nigeria's best.

So our Army units are Belarus trained, not Russia?

bidexiii:


A couple of training in overseas does not mean anything nether gucci gear....but how active they in battle field theatres...........how often are they tested and proven.
NA SF since there arrival has carried out a lot of recons and operations behind the enemy lines........!

You can't compare them with a unit that has 9 years worth of experience. Reconnaissance, Ambush and raids are everyday operations carried out by Navy SBS.