₦airaland Forum

NaijaPikinGidi: Please don't give yourself headaches because of this brainless pig!

What can I say bros? You never see him appear when successes are being recorded. All of a sudden, when he thinks he has a negative story to post (which he hasn't bothered to cross-check), he appears. When you counter him, he dismisses it and starts with sound bites about failures and the like.

How can anyone reason with such a personality?

CraigB: You've lost the argument. You might as well "laugh" as you burn inside.

Whatever you say

CraigB: Clearly my business is done. You offer no substance now. I'd be eroding substance if I played this childish game.

This is the funniest comment I have come across on this thread

CraigB: You're projecting your own state of mind. From a spirited argument to a sorry one-liner. How the "mighty" have fallen. Facts do that. They deflate lunatic pride.

You must have been looking in the mirror matey

CraigB: Now you compare yourselves to militaries that were fighting hundreds of miles from home.

You have the advantage of sovereignty, a state of emergency, the full support of the tax part and are uninhibited by strict laws in the affected states. Yet, you continue to fail.

I suppose Pakistan, India, Columbia, Peru, Turkey, China, Russia are not sovereign states? Even in Afghanistan, the Americans alone had over 100,000 troops in the country during the surge. What did they achieve with all the high tech equipment. Ask them and they will tell you how difficult it is to fight an enemy who isn't obvious.

A conventional war is far easier. You know your enemy in most cases.

CraigB: You have a state of emergency. The state of emergency has an objective. It can't last forever. The objective hasn't been met. It goes without saying that some BH members will be killed and captured. But that won't allow you to lift the state of emergency, will it? You have failed and continue to fail everyday.

By the same token, America and NATO failed in Afghanistan and Iraq and all other countries have failed around the world.

CraigB: As if I worry about what you call me. BH is born of Naai-geria. So, these are your own brothers. Cry me a river.

Now that your arguments have fallen by the wayside, you lash out in "my-wits-end-here" frustration.

You cared enough to argue to the point of abandoning your arguments in dead-end-valley.

I feel sorry for you. What a sad individual.

Army Recovers Vehicles From Boko Haram Informants In Borno

By: Sadiq Abubakar on November 1, 2013 - 8:02am

Division 7 Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Borno State, has disclosed that the division has uncovered the new tactics the Boko Haram insurgents in carrying out their wicked attacks.

Army yesterday said it had destroyed two suspected operational vehicles of the Boko Haram sect in the ongoing operations in Maiduguri.

The spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Lt.-Col. Mohammed Dole, who announced this in a statement, said that the destruction was to remove the insurgents terrorising motorists on highways in Borno State.

He said the sect members hide in the bush and come out to pounce on soldiers and other victims with the help of some informants who patrol the roads on motorcycles and cars.

He disclosed that suspected camps of the insurgents hidden in shrubs, valleys, hills and trees in the forest had been uncovered where about three motorcycles and two vehicles had been recovered from arrested informants of the Boko Haram insurgents while the real insurgents are being pursued. They mostly used the motorcycles in spying to plan for attacks on innocent people.

“We have been able to identify camps used by the terrorists in planning attacks against motorists and innocent villagers in Kaga Local Government Area of the state. Troops of the division, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, have been able to destroy these camps since we began the operations this week,’’ Dole said.

He also gave the assurance that efforts were being made to track the insurgents down in the Sambisa Forest and counter their plans as enough military men had been deployed to the bush.

He said although the insurgents were moving all over the places, planning, operating and striking villages and towns, the 7 Division had also re-strategised and was tactically raiding all their camps using combat teams along the Maiduguri-Biu-Gwoza axis and the Maiduguri-Damaturu road to get rid the insurgents.

He also revealed that the division has traced some Boko Haram camps in Gowok and Marguba villages, killing several of the terrorists, while those who escaped and fled are still being pursued.

The Army spokesman further said that the military was ever ready to accept sect members who were willing to surrender and said they could do that by going to the nearest village heads and handing over their weapons to them.

On the issue of detainees, he said they were still under the JTF custody and people should exercise patience until the committee constituted by the defence headquarters completes its assignment.

CraigB: The "killing of boko haram" fighters has been announced since the early days of the state of emergency. That tired "story" doesn't wash anymore - assuming it ever did. We all know nothing announced can be independently verified anyway.

Even your announcement of Shekau's "death" has failed to prove your military competent.

Fact is you're stuck in the abyss that's an internal insurgency. A small-scale war of sorts and you can't even dream of being useful in Africa at this point.

When the thread started, your claim to glory was your "usefulness" in other African countries. Well, let's hear you try that again - after you get over the minor issue of abandoned missions in Mali and Darfur. And the minor issue of insurgents that have no fear of your military inside its own sovereign land.

Just to show what a BH sympathiser you are. Nobody cares what you think, you quote newspaper sources that are not verified and you claim the same.

Shekau is dead and nothing you can say or do will change that. Do you know what it takes to fight an insurgency?

Thousands of BH terrorists have been killed, hence they announced for assistance from other fundamentalists earlier this year.

There are documented cases of Shuwa Arabs being killed as well as Nigerien, Malian, Chadian and Cameroonian jihadists.

So please, go and spout your nonsense elsewhere. People in the know know what successes are being recorded.

Your comment about Mali and Darfur is not worth responding to. You obviously have not been reading this thread

Nigerian Army Refurbishes 35mm anti-aircraft Guns



31 Oct 2013

Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika



The Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has commended 31 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Minna, for using locally fabricated spare parts to refurbish its unserviceable 35mm anti-aircraft guns.

Ihejirika made the commendation on Thursday at Kachia Military Range in Kaduna soon after witnessing the test firing of the guns imported into the country in 1979 from Switzerland.
``I am here today to witness the test firing of 35mm anti-aircraft guns recently repaired by the 31 artillery brigade using local resources.

``I urge you to maintain the tempo of transformation and high standard. During the test firing we witnessed today, I observed that the guns fired consistently without missing targets,’’ he said.
Ihejirika, represented at the occasion by Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Bassey, the Army’s Director of Policy and Planning, lauded the ongoing transformation agenda of the Nigerian Army.

He said that the agenda, in the areas of manpower development and maintenance of equipment, were key factors in building the capacity of the Army to meet current and future challenges.
He expressed optimism that the Nigerian Army would be transformed into a force that would meet contemporary challenges of defending the country.

``It is, therefore, pleasing to see in concrete terms the manifestation of this in the Nigeria Army today,’’ he noted.

He said that in its efforts to enhance command and communication within its divisions, the Nigerian Army early this year, designed multimedia surveillance vehicles and mobile antenna for urban communication.

The Chief of Army Staff said the Nigerian Army also used local content to manufacture bomb dictators and other operational equipment.

[b]He commended the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Kontagora, for providing technical support to the brigade for the repairs of the guns.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Hussani Abayomi, Commander, Nigeria Army Corps of Artillery, Kontagora, said that the twin barreled guns were capable of engaging aerial and ground targets up to the ranges of 6, 500 metres and 4, 000 metres, respectively.

[/b]He said the rate of fire of each gun was 500 rounds per minute per barrel, adding that the guns became unserviceable since 2002. (NAN)

CraigB: Not to be forgotten - The uselessness of the Naai-gerian military, which is clearly not feared in its own country.


Nigeria: Dozens Feared Dead As Boko Haram Attacks Damaturu

Abuja — Dozens, including soldiers, police, civilians and insurgents had been killed on Thursday when gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram launched multiple attacks in various locations in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.


...


Security sources told Weekly Trust that some of the areas attacked include the headquarters of the 233 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Kukareta located on the Damaturu-Maiduguri road; the police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office, police area command office, Mobile Base and C Division police station all along Gujba road, Damaturu. Many checkpoints, public buildings and private residential quarters were also attacked.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201310260343.html

http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2013-10/31/content_30453465.htm


Nigerian army launches air, land strikes on Boko Haram camps ail Xinhua, October 31, 2013 视频播放位置下载安装Flash播放器
The Nigerian army on Wednesday said it has commenced air and land strikes on Boko Haram camps in northeast remote villages along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.

Spokesman of the Army 7 Division in Borno State, Lt Col Mohammed Dole, told reporters that unlike before, the army division would now strike on Boko Haram camps so as to destabilize the insurgents from planning or executing any attack again.

"There is an on going operation around Benisheik, Kaga Local Government. Troops of the 7 Division supported by the Nigerian Air force, attacked and destroyed Boko Haram camps at Goho village in Mainok general area. Several terrorists were killed while others fled to another camps in Marguba, same Mainok area but the troops pursued them to the camp at Marguba which was also destroyed," he added.

The exact number of the insurgents that were killed in the offensive was not ready since the operation is still going, the spokesman said, promising to avail journalists with details of the operation as soon as it is completed.

"Several of them were killed while others also fled. Terrorists who escaped from the Marguba camp following troops strike on their camp, crossed the Maiduguri-Damaturu road at Benisheik heading north toward Gubio (North of Borno). Troops from 7 Division are still pursuing the terrorists. The operation is still going on," he said.

He appealed to residents not to panic especially with the movement of the fleeing insurgents toward the northern part of the state, saying troops in the area have been alerted about the development.

He also said the troops from the division were already pursuing the fleeing Boko Haram men.

Last Friday, the Nigerian military announced the killing of 95 Boko Haram fighters in Yobe and Borno States in operations against the insurgents, who were alleged to attempt coordinated attacks.

The Boko Haram sect has proved the biggest security threat in the West African country since launching the insurgency in 2009. Endi

souldust: @all at the turn of the last century when the air force was becoming a new arm of the military, how did it all start?

I believe it started off with all of its ranks in place and officers were already holding all ranks. The question is: how did the officers qualify to hold all those ranks since they are the founding fathers of the airforce.

Hope the below covers all your points.

History of The Nigerian Air Force


Evolution of the Nigerian Air Force
The evolution of the NAF of today could be broken down into 5 distinct eras: its early development (1961–1967), the Nigerian Civil War period (1967–1970), the post-civil war years (1970–1980), the era of consolidation (1980 – 1990) and 1990 to the present day.

Early Development (1961 – 1967). The significant milestones of early development of the NAF are as follows:

a. Foreign Assistance. Following the decision to establish the NAF, discussions were held with the governments of Canada, Germany, India and Ethiopia for pilot training. Ethiopia was the first to give a positive response when on 11 June 1962, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Sellasie II granted the approval of 10 scholarship slots to train NAF pilots in Ethiopia. Thus, the first batch of cadets for training as Air Force officers were recruited and sent on training with the Ethiopian Air Force in July 1962. A second batch of 16 followed in February 1963 to train at the Royal Canadian Air Force, while 6 others were sent to the Indian Air Force in the same year. It was, however, the Germans that were more forthcoming on the issue of the establishment of the NAF and this resulted in the agreement between Nigeria and Germany for the engagement of the German Air Force Assistance Group (GAFAG) from the German Air Force (GAF). On 2 August 1963, an initial batch of 84 NAF officer cadets and recruits were despatched to Germany for training in flying and ground related duties.

b. Agreement with Germany. Following the initial agreement between Nigeria and the German Government in 1964, the GAFAG assumed the responsibility of building up the NAF. The German Air Force provided the platforms and logistics for the full take-off of the NAF and the training of its personnel, both locally and abroad. By May 1966, about 513 personnel had benefited from training facilities in Germany. The task of steering the infant NAF fell on the shoulders of Colonel G Kahtz now on record as the first Chief of the Air Staff assisted by other German officers. Colonel W Timming later took over NAF leadership from Colonel Kahtz on 24 November 1965. It was under this tutelage, that the nucleus of the NAF was established.

c. Undergraduate Pilot Training. A significant development in this era was the sending of NAF officer cadets for Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) and Advanced Flying Course in the United States. Four cadets went to the United States in May 1964 and on completion of their course, returned to Nigeria on 14 September 1965. Notably, the 4 returned home with laurels. By this time, the batches sent to Canada, Ethiopia and India had returned to Nigeria with those from Ethiopia and Canada returning as commissioned officers, while those from India and the United States were presented locally before a board which considered them for commissioning in Nigeria. Except for the period of military sanctions against Nigeria, the USAF UPT programme has continued to be a major source of pilot production for the NAF.

d. Commencement of Local Flying Training. Local flying training started on 3 November 1965 when the first 18 trainees started training in NAF Base Kaduna. The training consisted of continuity flying training for young NAF pilots returning home from primary flying training abroad. The aircraft used were the Piaggio 149D Primary Trainer and the Dornier 27 light liaison transport aircraft.

e. [b]“Nigerianization”. The agreement with GAF had only a 4 year life span during which the NAF could not have nurtured and trained NAF officers senior enough to take over command and administration of the Service from the Germans. The Nigerian government decided to transfer some Nigerian Army officers to the NAF to understudy the Germans and form the first nucleus of indigenous officers of the NAF in 1964. The officers were later given on-the-job training in various establishments of the Luftwaffe in Germany during which they understudied the GAF system of administration at the GAF Headquarters. On return to Nigeria in late 1964, they were appointed as Senior Air Officers with Germans assisting strictly in advisory capacities. The final step towards “Nigerianization” commenced with Nigerians taking over command of some of the units while the German officers became their advisers. Nevertheless, as a result of Nigeria’s first military coup de’tat of 15 January 1966, the Germans abruptly, unceremoniously and unilaterally, terminated their agreement with the Nigerian government and hurriedly left the country. They asserted that their contract was with a civilian democratic government and not a military government. Meanwhile, the leadership of the NAF fell on the shoulders of Lieutenant Colonel George Kurubo who became the first indigenous Commander of the NAF on 16 January 1966. Credit must be given to the Germans because by the time they left, a firm foundation was in place to enable the new Nigerian leadership develop the Force into its next stage.[/b]

The Civil War Period (1967 – 1970). The second stage in the evolution of the NAF was marked by the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in August 1967. This era witnessed the launching of the young and inexperienced NAF into war after barely 3 years of its existence. During the Civil War, the NAF was initially tasked with providing light liaison transport. However, following the acquisition of the B-26 Bomber aircraft and helicopters by the Biafran Air Force, the Service was rapidly developed and tasked with reconnaissance, air defence and offensive roles. Ground attack aircraft such as the MiG 15 and 17, and medium transport aircraft were hurriedly acquired for the Service. Besides, more NAF units were established within this period to facilitate the prosecution of the war. The Civil War period thus signified a period of rapid growth and expansion in the NAF.

The Post-Civil War Years (1970-1980). The third phase in the evolution of the NAF was the post-civil war period (1970-1980) when the Service was faced with the challenges of reorganization after being plunged into war prematurely. Tactical aircraft were regrouped according to their roles while a NAF Training Command was established. An Advanced Flying Training Wing was subsequently established and equipped with the L-29 aircraft. The main thrust at this time was the need to establish an air force that would cater for the future. The force structure was modelled after those of the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force. 7. The Era of Consolidation (1980 – 1990).

The era of consolidation (1980 - 1990) marked a period of integration into global events and the building of a sophisticated air force with the capacity to assert and consolidate Nigeria’s posture and authority at both regional and sub-regional levels. Specifically, it marked the involvement of the NAF in several successful international peace support operations and internal security initiatives that have given it a pride of place in the World. This era saw the NAF expand its training and operational fleet as well as capabilities. With aircraft like the British Jaguar, the Russian MiG-21, the German Alpha Jet, the Italian Aermacchi MB-339A, the Czech L-29, the French Super Puma to mention a few. This period can be termed the ‘Golden Years’ of the NAF, because it saw the NAF at its highest level of professional development. The professional display of robust air power by the NAF during its NAF Day Celebration in 1988 where the then Ghanian leader, Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings, was the Guest of Honour was a glowing testimony to the status of the NAF during this period.

1990 to 2000. The period 1990 till about 2000 witnessed a steady decline in the fortunes of the NAF. Operational activities decreased to an all time low. By the end of this period, the effects of years of neglect and inadequate funding not only degraded operational readiness but culminated to infrastructural decay. This state of the NAF was occasioned by a combination of factors including a deliberate policy of neglect by some past administrations, politicisation of the military as a result of the military’s involvement in governance as well as poor leadership. This era also coincided with a period of national economic downturn and various international embargoes against Nigeria. All these combined to stunt the growth and development of the NAF and almost grounded it.



http://www.nigerianairforce.net/nigerianairforce/NAFHistory/NAFEvolution.aspx

Navy arrests 9 Nigerians, 3 Ghanaians over crude oil theft
Our Reporter October 28, 2013 No Comments »
Navy arrests 9 Nigerians, 3 Ghanaians over crude oil theft


From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Central Naval Command (CNC) of Nigerian Navy, has announced the arrest of nine Nigerians and three Ghanaians in connection with alleged stealing of crude oil in Bayelsa State.
According to the naval authorities, also arrested was a vessel, MT Frankesen which was carrying 1,092 liters of suspected stolen crude oil from Akassa Community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The Flag Officer Commanding, CNC, Rear Admiral Sidi- Alli Usman, while parading the suspects at Brass at the weekend, explained that the naval patrol team of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, arrested the vessel and the crew members.
According to him, though the vessel’s movement log showed evidences of previous voyages to Ghana, as of the time of arrest, it could not tender relevant documents.
He said: “At the time of the arrest, the vessel was loaded with products suspected to be stolen crude oil from Akassa Community in Brass Local Council Area of Bayelsa State. The crew of the vessel consists of nine Nigerians and three Ghanaians. Upon interrogation, the Captain, (name withheld) allegedly confessed that they were instructed by the owner of the vessel known as John, residing in Port Harcourt, to load the stolen crude oil from two barges around Akassa and thereafter, proceeded to Tema in Ghana where the product would be disposed off.”
Giving further details of their mission, he revealed that a local pilot was used to navigate the vessel into Nun River while one Mr. Destiny was the agent that supplied the product. MT Frankesen was loaded with over 1,092,000 litres of stolen crude oil contained in eight of the 10 tanks compartments on board the vessel at the time of the arrest.”
Usman reiterated the determination of the Command to ensure complete eradication of crude oil theft in its area of responsibility in line with the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/national/navy-arrests-9-nigerians-3-ghanaians-crude-oil-theft/

Army Embarks On Training Competition To Combat Terrorism

Posted by: Channels Television Posted date: October 28, 2013 In: Local | comment : 0 Comments


As part of efforts to face the terrorism challenges facing the country, the Nigerian Army has organized a training competition in weapon handling, combat swimming, map reading and physical fitness.

The 3-day training competition which involves 165 warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers from five divisions is also aimed at transforming the army into a force, better able to meet contemporary challenges.

According to the General Officer Commanding, 2 division Ibadan, General Abubakar Jibrin, the training competition will afford the soldiers the opportunity of preparing to face current challenges facing the country, especially terrorism.

The officers will take part in arms handling, map reading, courage and stamina building to further equip them as agents of the federal government and motivate them on the need to defend the nation’s territorial integrity.

The annual training competition is taking place at the Sobi cantonment Ilorin, of the 22 armoured brigade.

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/10/28/army-embarks-on-training-competition-to-combat-terrorism/

Nigeria: 93 Military Medical Personnel for Darfur
By Maryam Ahmadu-Suka, 26 October 2013

Kaduna — Ninety three medical personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces are to be deployed to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur having completed their pre-deployment training in Jaji, Kaduna yesterday.

The 93 military medical personnel drawn from the three services of the Nigerian Armed Forces with the name "Nigerian Level II Hospital" are to leave Nigeria for Darfur Region of Sudan next week.

This is also as the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC) graduated Nigerian military and officers of other West African countries from maiden Camp Management Safety and Security Course 1 of 2013.

Speaking at the combined graduation ceremony of the Nigerian medical team to Darfur and Camp Management trainees yesterday, Commandant of NAPKC, Major General Salihu Uba told the medical team to bring their medical and combatant skills to bear while in Darfur.

The 24 pioneer participants of the course were drawn from the Nigerian, Ghana, Borkina Faso, Mali, Sierra-Leone and Togolese armies, as well as Nigeria Police and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) among others.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201310260255.html

Nigerian Forces Kill 74 Boko Haram Militants

6:00pm 26th October 2013
(Updated 9:00pm 26th October 2013)


Nigerian armed forces have killed 74 Boko Haram militants in air and ground raids, the military has confirmed.

The troops launched their offensive against Boko Haram camps in remote villages in the northeast state of Borno, where the group has its strongest presence.

The military appears to be stepping up its offensive against the militants, who have killed thousands of people since their uprising began four years ago.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Dole said: "The operation, which involved ground and aerial assault supported by the Nigerian Air Force led to the destruction of the identified terrorist camps, killing 74 terrorists while others fled with serious injuries."

He said that two soldiers had been wounded in the operation.

It is the second strike against the Islamist sect in a week. Last week, the army said it had killed 37 Boko Haram members in a similar operation in another remote area of Borno.

Nigerian forces have intensified attacks against Boko Haram since May, when President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three states in the northeast.

However, the group has retaliated. In late September militants shot dead 40 students as they slept at a college in the region.

Boko Haram is fighting to establish an Islamic state in religiously mixed Nigeria.

The group launched its uprising against the state in 2009, turning itself from a clerical movement opposed to Western culture into an armed militia with links to al Qaeda's West African wing.

The group is seen as the biggest security threat to Nigeria, Africa's top oil producer.

Although their activities are located hundreds of miles away from its southern oil fields, they have bombed the capital Abuja at least three times, including a deadly attack on the United Nations' Nigeria headquarters in 2011.

http://www.klfm967.co.uk/news/world-news/1110424/nigerian-forces-kill-74-boko-haram-militants/

Henry120: I do not have a link to the magazine. It's also not available in african stands.


Nope, I haven't read "african pilot" magazine.

Air forces Monthly is available on line but on subscription only.

Henry120: No, that's not the rifle he was referring to. The FN minimi is a light hand held machine gun. Look at the photos of the spanish special forces. One of the guys is holding an FN minimi or an american M239


The photos I pasted showed troops with a GPMG mounted on there hilux.

Yeah! I was just referring generally to being armed with a light machine gone not necessarily a minimi.

zaandrew: And you guys wonder why we did not deploy the rooivalk before all the I's were doted ant t's crossed.

Even so the UN likes to screw SA by saying our vechiles are not at there standarded even though they used more than the indian's who tend to not patrol far. Working under AU mandates are much better. They got the same rules but they have brains.

That was why there was the initial reluctance to deploy to Mali as well as the Federal Government didn't want to pick up the bill like they did in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Mike..ZA:
South Africa downed a couple of MiG 21 in Angola. And Turkey F4 was on a recce mission,not training like Turkey puts it.

Unless you have an inside source in Turkey to confirm, it was one or the other[b]. Iraq shot down a few Tornados during the first gulf war. The Romanian Lancers have improved defensive aids and avionics. That was the point I was making.
[/b]
Syria -Turkey tension: Conflicting arguments on Phantom By Jonathan Marcus

The shooting down of a Turkish Phantom jet by Syrian air defences has prompted a battle of two narratives.

The Syrians say the plane had penetrated Syrian air space at low level, using an air corridor utilised in the past by the Israeli Air Force. They say it was engaged without using radar and shot down.

Turkey insists that the aircraft was attacked in international air space, though the Turks do accept that the plane - which they say was on a routine training mission - did stray briefly into Syrian air space, but that Turkish controllers alerted the crew and they left.

A subsequent meeting of Nato ambassadors that was given a detailed briefing from the Turks strongly backed Ankara's story. But perhaps surprisingly there was no detailed public presentation of the evidence.

So is there more in this than meets the eye? What was going on and what questions still need to be answered?

'Irreconcilable'

Sean O'Connor is a leading analyst of Soviet-style air defences. A former intelligence analyst with the US Air Force, he now teaches physics in a US college.

But in his spare time he has taught himself the skills needed to interpret satellite imagery and using open source pictures, he has built-up an encyclopaedic knowledge of the sorts of air defences used by a country like Syria.

In his view "the Syrian and Turkish accounts do not appear to be wholly irreconcilable. If Syria initiated the engagement process as soon as an airspace violation was detected then there is every possibility that the Turkish aircraft did in fact leave the area prior to being shot down," he explains.

Syria's willingness to engage an unidentified intruder was a warning, he says, "a direct message towards Western states contemplating action against the Assad regime".

But was this just a routine training mission that went badly wrong as the Turks suggest?

Douglas Barrie of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London says: "Given that Syria is effectively riven by a civil war, then suggestions that the Turkish activity was a 'routine training mission' does raise questions.

"Carrying out 'normal' training activity on the borders of a state using its military to try to suppress rebel forces inherently carries risk."

'Alternative mission'

Mr Barrie is also intrigued by the type of Turkish aircraft that was involved.

"Reports, as yet unconfirmed, that the variant of the F-4 Phantom aircraft shot down was a reconnaissance model, could also be interpreted as indicating an alternative mission," he told me.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (File) Syria's Bashar al-Assad says the Turkish jet was flying in an area used by Israel's air force
"Some of Turkey's RF-4E aircraft have comparatively recently been upgraded to provide a long-range oblique photograph capability - the camera is mounted in a pod - with a radar pod also capable of being carried," he said. "Such sensors would be of use in trying to build up a picture of activity of ground forces."

But given that the Turkish plane did enter Syrian air space, however briefly, was it really necessary to shoot it down?

Mr Barrie says that "an incursion into another nation's air space would not normally result in a shoot down, with other less drastic steps sufficing - such as the intercept of the target aircraft and its identification by fighter aircraft".

He notes, however, that "Syrian air defences were embarrassed by the ease with which the Israeli air force mounted a successful attack on its [suspected nuclear] reactor site in 2007. The defection on the MiG-21 pilot to Jordan in June may also have resulted in a more aggressive approach to dealing with unidentified aircraft."

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that the Turkish jet was shot down by a soldier who did not have access to radar. Syrian accounts suggest the plane was downed by gunfire.

'Logical weapon'
Recep Tayyip Erdogan inside a Turkish Air Force jet (27 June 2012) Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls Syria a "clear and present threat"
However Mr O'Connor notes that the Turks say the plane was some 13 nautical miles (24km) off the Syrian coast (just outside Syria's 12 nautical-mile territorial limit) when engaged. If this distance is accurate, he says, then a radar-guided surface-to-air (SAM) system is the only possibility.

"This could be a radar-guided SAM operating under optical guidance," he notes, as Turkish reports indicate that there was no radar warning indication.

"In this case, the Russian Pantsyr-S1E would be the logical weapon involved, although the 13-mile range represents the very outer limit of the system's capability".

The Pantsyr-S1E is a relatively modern Russian air defence system that has been delivered to Syria in recent years.

But Mr O'Connor says that another weapon may have been involved.

"The dark horse is the newly acquired Russian Buk-M2E system, but Israeli reporting suggests that they are deployed near the border with Lebanon, far outside the area of interest."

'Depth of coverage'
So what does this episode tell us about the capabilities of Syria's air defence network overall?


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18689037

AfroArab: Hey you black soldier, so what is the armed forces in Nigeria that you are. The Navy, Air Force, Army ? [b]I just want to know because you fight good [/b]but your Nigerian black peoples Army must leave our Arab land of the Sudan, you stay too long we cannot trust the Nigerian black people on a Arab land. You invade our land, you must go away okay. We will not fight the Nigerian Forces, yes you fight more better than the whole black countries but is not good to invade Arab land so go away before the great Pharaoh nation of Egypts mighty Army come to push you away out of the Sudan Arab land. All Sudan is Arab land okay, even yes the Dafur land. We dont want to do trouble but you must leave us alone it is a Arab problem and only solution is we the Arab to give, not the invasion of a black peoples Army of Nigeria, so you stay in your own black lands. Go and say my message to all your superior officers in your Army brigade you are one of them and they listen okay.

It is as they say from the horses mouth . Don't worry too much AfroArab, we will be gone as soon as the situation is stable in Sudan

Nigeria: Peacekeeping - UN Owes Nigeria, Four Others N127 Billion
By Bayo Oladeji, 24 October 2013


The United Nations (UN) is indebted to Nigerian army and other four countries to the tune of N127 billion through her participation in the global peacekeeping effort but, despite this, all the troops participating in the programme have been getting their allowances as and when due.

Apart from Nigeria, the other countries are Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Rwanda.

The director, army public relations, Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru, who made this disclosure in Abuja during the monthly press briefing of the army, also decried the presence of some bad eggs among the troops who are sabotaging the army's efforts.

The army spokesman, who went down memory lane, stated that some administrative and logistics factors might delay the payment of such allowances but disclosed that the army has ways of filling the vacuum.

"The Nigerian Army commenced its participation in peace support operations in 1961. The first actors of this noble endeavour are still alive and can testify to the fact that the Nigerian Army has never held back operational allowances, or any allowance for that matter, of any personnel in the last 52 years of its involvement in peace support operations.

"At times, administrative and logistics bottlenecks may delay the release of funds. The army headquarters has always made efforts to fill in the void, more so troops are kept informed of all developments. Furthermore, you will recall that, early this month, the United Nations (UN) admitted to owing Nigeria and four other countries N127.2 billion accrued through her peacekeeping efforts to the global organisation."

Speaking on some troops who were accusing the army authorities of cutting corners, Attahiru said, "It is important to note that every organisation has bad eggs; the Nigerian Army is not different. The case of these disgruntled soldiers is just the army's share of this societal condition, hence it should not be negatively orchestrated."

On the ongoing counter-insurgency programme, the army spokesman said the efforts to deal with the Boko Haram insurgency is yielding positive efforts. Buttressing this point, he said, last Saturday, insurgents using rocket-propelled grenades and AK 47 rifles fired into Gamboru-Ngala. Troops deployed at that location promptly engaged the terrorists. In the ensuing fire fight, a couple of terrorists were killed, as others fled into Fotokol in Cameroun. The Cameroun authorities were promptly intimated of this development."

He also brought to the fore what happened last Sunday when the insurgents mounted a roadblock along Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala road axis, waylaying passengers and subsequently shooting them, killing four civilians, seized foodstuffs being conveyed in a vehicle. Attahiru disclosed that the moment the troops from Special Operations Battalion (SOB) was alerted, troops moved in and pursued the attackers and five of them were killed. To prevent a recurrence, "aggressive patrols on all the highways in the northeast are being intensified."

The army spokesman further explained that Nigerian troops are still in Mali on peacekeeping mission. He said, "Troops of 333 Artilery Regiment were rotated from MINUSMA Peacekeeping Mission in Mali in May 2013. This was occasioned by a patriotic call to duty based on heightened security situation in the northeast. It is noted that elements of the unit are currently in Mali, as an attempt to withdraw totally from the mission area would have created a void which may need to be filled by other troops-contributing countries."


http://allafrica.com/stories/201310240158.html

Army confirms arrest of six Boko Haram suspects at Maiduguri Airport
By Maina Maina on October 23, 2013

Following the reported arrest of six suspected members of the Boko Haram sect by the combined team of 7 Division of Nigerian Army and the police at Maiduguri International Airport on Monday, while returning from concluded hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia, military authorities say they would continue to rid the state of bad elements.

The suspects, according to Nigerian Army and police authorities on Tuesday, in Maiduguri, have been on the wanted lists of the Joint Task Force since February this year.

Speaking on Tuesday in Maiduguri, a top military officer of the 7 Division of Nigerian Army revealed that the coordinated interception and arrest of the terror suspects at the airport was another plus in the fight against terrorism in the state and Nigeria at large.

“Yesterday’s arrest of terror suspects were facilitated with the cooperation of Airport authorities and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCOM, by allowing security personnel do their job thoroughly at the arrival hall of this airport at dawn.

“The photographs of the suspects, however enabled us identify them, despite their disguise to perform hajj along with other pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. But their identification, was successfully revealed at the arrival hall of the airport with their passport photographs used in the hajj exercise”, he stated.

Speaking on how they sneaked to be boarded for hajj flights, he said “the suspects, before their departure to Saudi Arabia and during the processing of their visas and other traveling documents, changed their names, but their photographs remained unchanged, as they had been sealed to their passports and other traveling documents”.

Also speaking to newsmen on the incident on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Officer, Captain Aliyu Ibrahim Danja said that the six Boko Haram sect members who were arrested at the airport were subsequently interrogated and three of them were released while three were still undergoing interrogation.


http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/10/23/army-confirms-arrest-of-six-boko-haram-suspects-at-maiduguri-airport/

Navy Launches Manhunt for Suspected Crew Members of Pirate Ship in Bayelsa

Article | October 24, 2013 - 12:34am | By Augustine Aminu

The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday said it had launched a manhunt for crew members of a suspected pirate ship that ran aground in Odioma River, Brass Local Government of Bayelsa.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Rear Adm. Sidi Usman, made this known during a tour of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Brass Island.

The visit was part of activities to celebrate the biannual tour of naval bases under the FOC's command.

Usman said the suspected pirates ran away on sighting naval patrol team, but unfortunately, they ran into a shallow part of the river and the ship sank.”

He said that in an attempt to evade arrest, the suspects abandoned their motorised barge at Odioma River and escaped before the naval operatives could get at them.

``The barge was abandoned there in the course of pursuit by our men, before we got there, the operators had absconded. We have launched a manhunt for them.

``The community is helping with information. It was through such information that we got wind of the barge.

``We want to encourage them to always give us useful information to rid the waterways of the activities of pirates,’’ Usman said.

The FOC said the Navy would continue to patrol the waterways to rid them of criminals.

Usman said: ``Talking about challenges in our waterways, it is not anything that is strange to us because the maritime environment has its own challenges.

``The challenge includes tackling all the illegalities in our waterways. I can assure you that we are up to the task and something possible is being done.

``We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The rate of piracy with my command is on the decline. We always go out there on patrol and when we see vessels, we interrogate them.”

On the biannual tour of naval bases, Usman said it was necessary to enable the authorities to tackle some of the challenges the officers and men were facing.
He urged the communities to always cooperate with the security forces in the country’s waterways and to desist from criminal activities.

``We are getting useful information from them. If they continue to support the Navy this way, piracy will be a thing of the past,’’ Usman said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/navy-launches-manhunt-suspected-crew-members-pirate-ship-bayelsa

37 Boko Haram fighters killed in northern Nigeria: military

At least 37 Boko Haram fighters died in a coordinated air strike and ground raid by the Nigerian Army and Air Force on Monday, a military spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The troops in collaboration with Nigerian Air Force launched air and ground attack on the insurgents camp at Alagarno, eastern part of the northeast Borno State, killing at least 37 insurgents while many fled with wounds from gunshots, Captain Aliyu Danja, spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army told reporters in Maiduguri, the state capital.

"Based on available intelligence, troops of the 7 Division of Nigerian Army launched an attack on Boko Haram camp located in Alagarno," Danja said. The operation which commenced on Monday involved a coordinated ground and air assault by troops of 7 Division in conjunction with 79 Composite Group Nigerian Air Force Maiduguri destroyed the terrorists camp. A total of 37 terrorists were killed in the fire fight while several others fled with gunshot wounds, Danja said.

He said the military recovered arms and ammunition while it destroyed three operational vehicles and many motor cycles belonging to the insurgents in the camp.

According to him, troops from the army division have commenced currently aggressive patrols around the area to trace and destroy other Boko Haram elements for their terrorism act.

The military raid came barely 48 hours after more than 20 persons were killed by suspected members of Boko Haram in Borno State.

Last Tuesday, the Nigerian military announced the killing of 40 Boko Haram fighters in Borno State in operations against the insurgents, who were alleged to attempt coordinated attacks in the three remote towns of Bama, Gwoza and Pulka.

The Boko Haram sect has proved the biggest security threat in the West African country since launching the insurgency in 2009. It seeks to enshrine the Islamic sharia law into the constitution and declares war against the Western education.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/819655.shtml#.UmgG2L5waFQ

homerac7: No wahala bro. In fact you did well enough with the explanation, you only faltered where "you are expected" as a layman. I'm sue that if I stray into your field too, I might not be able to be as gallant as you were in mine.

Sweet bro, thanks for being so kind

homerac7: Good try sir!

The nozzle is a variable nozzle type, that's why it can vary its geometry. As per the bolded, you are right enough as a lay man, but technically, reverse is the case. There's really a pressure drop at the exit of the nozzle where the pressure force is converted to velocity force (thrust). Just follow this simple rule in engineering: when speed increases, pressure drops. The explanation might be too technical for this forum (and also to spare you a needless headache )

As per the "flat mass", honestly I have never noticed it, so I can not really say anything until I see it at work.

. I did say I wasn't an engineer. I originally thought it was the opposite, but was misled by an entry on line that said it was the way I explained, Doh!

Now moved to calabar;

African Winds Training Kicks Off In Calabar

About 200 Nigerian troops consisting of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy as well as 19 foreign troops from Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States of America are now undergoing tactical training on capacity building at amphibious training school in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

The training exercise code-named The African Wing according to the flag officer commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu is a capacity building programme led by Netherlands marine forces to help African Military forces develop and improve their capacity to jointly plan and execute military operations in the maritime domain.

The FOC was speaking at the flag off of the amphibious raid exercise carried out at the Oron Beach in Akwa Ibom State.

The operation which was nicknamed Ofem Efik, meaning Calabar Winds in Efik language is a three day training which is an initiative of the Nigerian Navy as part of its efforts towards improving the command’s capacity to operate with other arms of the Armed forces of Nigeria as well as friendly military forces from other countries and maritime agencies.

In view of the security challenges in the gulf of Guinea especially stealing of crude oil and attacks on merchant ships, such capacity build up will help African military forces to jointly plan and execute military operations in a maritime domain.

The first phase of the exercise which was the pre-exercise paved way for the tactical phase which was conducted by the Mobile training teams drawn from UK, USA and the Netherlands Marines in conjunction with instructors from the Nigerian Navy and the Amphibious Training school.

Countries covered by the programme are, Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Cameroun.


http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/10/23/african-winds-training-kicks-off-in-calabar/

souldust: @all what is the 'four finger' tactics?

It is probably related to the below, although there may be other applications;

The formation consists of a flight of four aircraft, composed of a "lead element" and a "second element", each of two aircraft. When viewing the formation from above, the positions of the planes resemble the tips of the four fingers of a human right hand (without the thumb), giving the formation its name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger-four

GeneralJ: I was thinking exactly the same thing, they need submachine guns, for not only suppressive fire, but also Urban warfare, to minimize casualties. Also, they need 'long range' rifleman(sniper). To provide cover.
But overall..this is pretty impressive

I agree. I think they probably do have snipers though as it is a pre-requisite during boarding operations at sea if you observe foreign navies carrying out anti-piracy operations. The sniper usually provides covering fire from the ship for the boarding party if needed.

souldust: @all, when a fighter is being started to fly, the exhaust pipe widens a bit. Why is that? I have seen this in several movies before. I am doing one of the sciences critical to this but i seem not to have an idea

secondly, why is a mass with flat surface erected behind a fighter when its engine is about to get started? We dont do the same when we are about to start a commercial plane. I have seen this in movies too as well as in pics of fighters posted on this very thread.

I am not an engineer but will have a go. May be best to google it though.

I think the engine exhaust nozzle widens when the aircraft is idling because it is allowing more air to exit while stationary and warming up. When in flight and wants to go faster, the nozzle constricts to restrict the airflow thereby increasing speed due to the increased air pressure. I could be wrong.

The flat surface at the rear is to prevent you or any object behind being toasted on start up of the engine and while the throttle is being adjusted.

snydergp: I've been on this thread way before you and even @Aguagust so don't tell me about participating on this topic.

can you tell me what constitutes respect for the uniform on a social platform like nairaland where contributors on this very thread regularly take personal swipes at each other. i comment and reply according to reasoning and respect that is shown not to people who who wants respect but cant return it likewise. Respect is earned and so far only a few of you naai-ja's has proven to me you deserve such, so please i will debate on the level and sometimes condescending tones this forum not what is prescribed to me to me just satisfy a particular agenda.

Respect is earned and unless it is shown in return i have every right to respond as i see fit.

thanx

You are indeed entitled to your opinion and standards. Just because I haven't been contributing doesn't mean I haven't been following for a long time.

I have much more respect for your fellow SA military man, zaandrew, who despite numerous attacks, has always been restrained.

To each his own.