By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has achieved a major milestone in its combat medical capability 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) of the United States.
According to an official signed statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the accreditation culminated in the successful conduct of the first-ever NAEMT-accredited Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training in Nigeria, held from 13 to 28 May 2026.
With the accreditation, AMFAU-Nigeria has joined a select group of NAEMT-accredited training centres in West Africa, further strengthening the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to developing world-class combat medical capabilities and enhancing operational effectiveness.
The statement noted that the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is a globally recognised professional body dedicated to advancing emergency medical care and pre-hospital trauma management. Its Tactical Combat Casualty Care programme, developed from battlefield experiences, is internationally regarded as the gold standard in combat casualty management. The programme equips personnel with vital lifesaving skills, including haemorrhage control, airway management, trauma stabilisation and casualty evacuation under hostile conditions.
The successful training underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to aligning its medical response systems with international best practices. The development comes as the Service continues to play a key role in ongoing counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and other joint military operations across the country.
By improving the capacity of its personnel to provide life-saving trauma care in operational environments, the Nigerian Air Force is enhancing force protection, operational resilience and mission effectiveness. The initiative has also established a sustainable framework for the continued development of combat medical expertise within the Service.
Speaking on the achievement, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the accreditation and successful conduct of the inaugural TCCC course as a strategic advancement in the Nigerian Air Force’s pursuit of operational excellence.
Air Marshal Aneke stated that the ability to preserve lives and respond swiftly to medical emergencies on the battlefield remains a critical component of mission success as the Nigerian Air Force continues to prosecute counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations across the country.
He said the international accreditation and newly acquired training capability would significantly enhance operational readiness, improve survival outcomes and reinforce the Service’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel.
“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,” the Chief of the Air Staff said.
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.
Participants who successfully completed the course were decorated with course insignia and presented with internationally recognised certificates. The event also featured an exchange of souvenirs between the German instructors and school authorities.
In a symbolic gesture of cultural appreciation, Air Vice Marshal Ekpe presented traditional Nigerian attires to the instructors, who wore the outfits in recognition of the enduring partnership and mutual respect between the Nigerian Air Force and its international partners.
In his remarks, the Commandant congratulated the participants and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, courage and service. He emphasized that the qualifications earned carried a responsibility to save lives, noting that “the greatest honour in emergency medical care is not the certificate received, but the number of lives preserved.”
Air Vice Marshal Ekpe also expressed appreciation to the Chief of the Air Staff for his support and strategic leadership, as well as to the German Technical Advisory Group and NAEMT-certified instructors for their dedication and professionalism.
He affirmed that the accreditation marks the beginning of a new era in combat medical training within the Nigerian Air Force and reiterated the Service’s commitment to building a highly skilled and mission-ready force capable of supporting military operations and safeguarding lives.
