• Concludes exercise Vulcan Glow IX in Kachia
From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja on Thursday restated that corps, establishments, and formations would leverage local capabilities, skills, and competencies to ensure effective maintenance of the Nigerian Army’s array of equipment.
The Army Chief stated this shortly before he declared this year’s Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery exercise Vulcan Glow IX close at the military training range, Kachia Kaduna State.
Exercise Vulcan Glow is a field training exercise that culminates NACA training activities for each year, conducted in line with AHQ training directives, aimed at practicing artillery personnel on the planning, preparation, employment, and deployment of artillery resources in all phases of conventional and unconventional warfare as well as military operations other than war in a competitive but friendly atmosphere.
Represented by the Chief of Training, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General Sani Gambo Mohammed the very senior military man was optimistic that with with right investment in research and development, the Nigerian Army would be able to protect the territorial integrity of the Country.
“We wish to reiterate that all corps, establishments, and formations must continue to leverage local capabilities, skills, and competencies to ensure effective maintenance of Nigerian Army equipment.
“I am optimistic that in the nearest future, our various indigenous Research and Development efforts would yield the desired results in furtherance of our operations”, he said.
According to him, the theme of the exercise which was “Transforming NACA for Effective Fire Support in Asymmetric Warfare through Sustained Research and Development and Local Repair Efforts in Joint Operation Environment” was apt as it fell in line with his command philosophy.
“The Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery has continued to upscale its training activities which have impacted positively in the provision of effective fire support to the combat arms in various theaters of our ongoing operations.
“I am happy to acknowledge the significant progress made by the Corps in the repairs of various Artillery equipment as well as the commendable strides achieved in Research and Development.
“Based on the firepower demo we have witnessed today as well as the various field maneuvers and drills conducted throughout the Ex, I am convinced that the overall objectives of the exercise have been achieved”, he added.
Earlier, Commander, Corps of Artillery, Major General Markus Kangye noted that observations and lessons learned during the exercise last year were carefully and duly addressed this year.
“In this wise, concerted repair efforts by own personnel in collaboration with technical expertise from other military and civil institutions have yielded success in getting more platforms serviceable and available for operations.
“The collection of both serving and retired gunner officers with shared experiences was an additional impetus in appraising our procedures and applications to conform with the requirements of supporting the NA in asymmetric warfare”, he said.