US commences $38m A-29 super Tucano maintenance facility

The United States (U.S.) has commenced the construction of the Tucano maintenance site in Nigeria. The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, inaugurated the commencement of the final phase of the $38 million construction project for the A-29 Super Tucanos’ support facilities.

The project located at the Kainji Airforce base in Niger State, will provide critical facilities, which include sunshades to accommodate the A-29 Super Tucanos, munitions assembly and storage areas, and an annex for the A-29 flight simulator.

Nigeria had acquired the Tucano Jet fighters to combat Boko Haran and ISWAP terrorists in the northeast, as bandits, who have also been declared terrorists in the northwest.

The construction of the facility is supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) North Atlantic Division, which is mandated to build necessary infrastructure for the operation and maintenance of the A-29 Super Tucanos fighter jets.

The US Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard, in the convoy of senior US officials and Nigerian officials during a tour of the project site on Tuesday, emphasized that importance of the project, noting it as a milestone in airbase construction, as well as sustaining the partnership between Nigeria and the United States.

Mary Beth Leonard emphasized that “the monumental undertaking of the Nigerian Air Force through the A-29 Super Tucano program reflects the work ethic, ingenuity, and dedication of the Nigerian people.”

Commander of USACE’s North Atlantic Division, Brigadier General Thomas Tickner, acknowledged the partnership which aided the delivery of support facilities for Nigeria’s new fleet of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.