NAAS ENDS 2026 TRAINING YEAR WITH EXERCISE IRON THRUST

NAAS ENDS 2026 TRAINING YEAR WITH EXERCISE IRON THRUST

The Nigerian Army Armour School (NAAS) ended its 2026 training year with Exercise IRON THRUST, which is the final Field Training Exercise to culminate all training activities for Year 2026. The Exercise took place at Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Wed 4 Nov 26. The Commandant, Major General Sunday Makolo while briefing the SGOH Major General Maxwell Dangana and other invited dignitaries stated that Exercise IRON THRUST was designed to test the students’ on leadership, tactics, command and control in limited conventional Warfare and Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations.

Students of Armour Battalion Commanders, Armour Company Commanders, among others like Armour Platoon Sergeant and A1 Crewman Courses were assessed during the Exercise. Activities at the Exercise featured a dawn attack, fire power demonstration, and deployment of Armour Fighting Vehicles in various phases of war to give the students practical exposure to real battlefield conditions

While delivering his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Maxwell Dangana, charged the students to turn the experience gained into operational success, noting that it will sharpen their professional competence and strengthen the Nigerian Army’s effectiveness on the battlefield.

He added that the exercise is a significant aspect of the Nigerian Army’s training efforts aimed at developing professionally competent and operationally effective personnel. He noted that the demonstration provided an opportunity to appreciate the combat capabilities of Armour formations, involving troops’ movement and the deployment of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) in various phases of war and has exposed the students to valuable practical experiences.

The GOC further urged the students to maintain high standard of professionalism, uphold the core values of the Nigerian Army and remain committed to continuous learning, adding that the level of proficiency attained by the students cannot be overemphasized. He remarked that institutions such as NAAS remain vital in developing the requisite skills and professional competence for the effective employment of Armour assets in all land operations.

Earlier, the Commandant NAAS, Major General Sunday Makolo who witnessed and supervised the dawn attack, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the students. He emphasized that he was impressed and satisfied with the level of coordination, discipline, aggression and tactical awareness displayed by the students during the dawn attack. He said that they really absorbed what they were taught in the classrooms and on the training ground.

Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of other students, Lieutenant Colonel Adeola Adebo of the Armour Battalion Commanders Course expressed profound appreciation to the GOC for gracing the closing ceremony of the exercise, to the Commander Armoured Corps for his commitment to training and to the Commandant NAAS for his role in the successful conduct of the exercise.

In attendance were the Commander Armoured Corps, Major General Umar Abubakar; Commander 33 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Saidu Shehu, Commander 27 Armour Brigade, Brigadier General Mohammed Sule, Commander 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Colonel Suobor Beke, among other senior officers.

ADEKUNLE A ADEYEMI
Major
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations
Headquarters Nigerian Army Armoured Corps
5 Nov 26