The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence in military training as the Military Training Centre (MTC), Kaduna, successfully concluded the Initial Bush Camp Exercise for recruits of the Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 45/2024. The exercise, held from 29 September to 4 October 2025, provided an intense and realistic combat training experience designed to prepare the recruits for counter-insurgency and internal security operations.
The week-long field training enabled the recruits to translate classroom lessons into practical military application. They participated in various drills including day and night navigation, patrols, ambush operations, tactical manoeuvres, and tent striking — a vital skill that teaches troops to dismantle and relocate camps swiftly without leaving traces.
The exercise culminated in a 20-kilometre inter-squadron cross-country competition aimed at testing endurance, teamwork, and resilience, with the C-130 Squadron emerging as the overall winner.
In his remarks, the Commandant of the Military Training Centre, Air Commodore Mohammed Lawal, commended the recruits for their discipline, endurance, and adaptability throughout the exercise.
He noted that their performance reflected the effectiveness of the NAF’s training structure and its alignment with modern warfare demands. The Commandant also appreciated the support and collaboration of sister security agencies — including the 1 Division Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police, and the Federal Road Safety Corps — whose contributions ensured the success of the exercise.
Air Commodore Lawal emphasized that the completion of the Initial Bush Camp Exercise reinforces the NAF’s unwavering commitment to training excellence, operational readiness, and professionalism. He added that the exercise aligns with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar’s key enabler on Deliberate Training and Mission-Oriented Force Development, aimed at building a force capable of meeting contemporary security challenges.
Through such rigorous and mission-driven training, the Nigerian Air Force continues to produce highly skilled, disciplined, and combat-ready personnel prepared to contribute effectively to national security and counter-insurgency operations across the country.
