The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in collaboration with the German Technical Advisory Group (GTAG), has recorded a major milestone in combat medical capacity following the accreditation of the Air Mobile First Aid Unit (AMFAU) of the Nigerian Air Force School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine (NAFSMSAM), Kaduna, by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), United States of America.
The landmark achievement culminated in the successful conduct of the first-ever NAEMT-accredited Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training in Nigeria from 13 to 28 May 2026, a statement by the NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame noted.
With this development, AMFAU-Nigeria joins a select group of accredited NAEMT training centres in West Africa, further reinforcing the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to building world-class combat medical capabilities.
The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is a globally recognised professional body dedicated to advancing emergency medical care and pre-hospital trauma management. Through its internationally accepted Tactical Combat Casualty Care programme, NAEMT has continued to shape modern battlefield medicine and improve survival outcomes among military personnel operating in hostile environments. Developed from lessons learned on the battlefield, the TCCC programme equips personnel with critical lifesaving skills, including haemorrhage control, airway management, trauma stabilisation and casualty evacuation under fire, making it the global gold standard in combat casualty management.
The successful conduct of the training underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to aligning with international best practices in combat casualty care and emergency medical response. This achievement comes at a critical time when the NAF remains actively engaged in ongoing counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and other joint military operations across the country.
By enhancing the capacity of its personnel to preserve life and provide effective trauma care in operational environments, the Service is further strengthening mission effectiveness, force protection and operational resilience. The training has also established a sustainable framework for the development of combat medical expertise within the Nigerian Air Force, thereby enhancing its ability to support operational and humanitarian contingencies.
Speaking on the significance of the achievement, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the accreditation of AMFAU and the successful conduct of the inaugural TCCC course as a strategic advancement in the Nigerian Air Force’s drive towards operational excellence. He noted that as the NAF continues to prosecute counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in defence of the nation, the ability to preserve lives and rapidly respond to medical emergencies on the battlefield remains a critical component of mission success.
According to him, the international accreditation and newly acquired training capability will significantly enhance operational readiness, improve survival outcomes and reinforce the Service’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel. The CAS added that “every life saved on the battlefield strengthens operational effectiveness and contributes directly to the successful accomplishment of the Nigerian Air Force’s mandate in support of national security objectives.”
During the graduation ceremony, the NAEMT Course Coordinator formally activated AMFAU as an accredited NAEMT Training Centre through the presentation of the NAEMT banner to the Commandant of NAFSMSAM, Air Vice Marshal AC Ekpe. Successful participants were decorated with course insignia and presented with internationally recognised certificates.
The event also featured the exchange of souvenirs between the German instructors and the school authorities. In a colourful display of cultural appreciation, the Commandant presented traditional Nigerian attires to the instructors, who enthusiastically donned the outfits as a symbol of the enduring partnership and mutual respect between the Nigerian Air Force and its international partners.
In his remarks, the Commandant of NAFSMSAM, Air Vice Marshal AC Ekpe, congratulated the participants on the successful completion of the course and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, courage and service. He reminded them that the qualifications earned represent a greater responsibility to save lives, stressing that “the greatest honour in emergency medical care is not the certificate received, but the number of lives preserved.”
He further expressed profound appreciation to the Chief of the Air Staff for his unwavering support and strategic leadership, as well as to GTAG and the NAEMT-certified instructors for their professionalism, dedication and commitment.
AVM Ekpe assured stakeholders that the accreditation marks the beginning of a new chapter in combat medical training within the Nigerian Air Force, reaffirming the Service’s commitment to building a highly skilled and mission-ready force capable of supporting military operations and safeguarding lives.
