California Guard, Nigerian state partners improve air-to-ground integration

VICENZA, Italy – California National Guard members worked alongside Armed Forces of Nigeria partners during an engagement in Abuja, Nigeria, Aug. 15-22,… VICENZA, Italy – California National Guard members worked alongside Armed Forces of Nigeria partners during an engagement in Abuja, Nigeria, Aug. 15-22, integrating the California Military Department into the AFN's ongoing air-to-ground integration efforts. By directly addressing AGI integration, this collaboration made substantial progress on the California Guard’s top priority with Nigeria, its partner in the National Guard’s State Partnership Program since 2006. The primary objectives of this meeting involved assessing current capability gaps in integrating Nigeria’s joint terminal attack controllers — commonly referred to as “JTACs” — into combat operations, analyzing existing force generation and training pipelines, and developing a mutually beneficial, long-term partnership roadmap, as well as future training pathways.

JTACs operate on front lines in wartime scenarios, directing combat aircraft to provide close-air support and other offensive air operations. This collaborative event was a significant step forward in strengthening interoperability between the California Guard and the AFN. “The engagement built working relationships among the California Guard, U.S. Embassy Abuja, the Nigerian military’s Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre, and Nigerian Air Force personnel while establishing shared training priorities,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Kempf, commander of the 146th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 146th Airlift Wing,