On February 15, 2022, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard and Brigadier General Thomas Tickner, Commander of USACE’s North Atlantic Division visited Kainji Air Force Base, Nigeria, to break ground on Phase II of a $38 million construction project involving new construction, renovation, and repair for the new A-29 Super Tucano support facilities and the new airfield being completed by RELYANT Global, (RELYANT).

RELYANT began Phase I in April 2020 and successfully completed the project in June 2021. Phase I involved construction of temporary infrastructure and repair of facilities to support Super Tucano operations during the construction of permanent facilities.  Under the supervision of the USACE Europe District (NAU), the RELYANT team performed the work without impeding active military facility operations. The portion of this project provided auxiliary apron crack repair and sealing, auxiliary apron electrical grounding, over 6,000 meters of security fencing, upgrading existing Simulator Building, construction of a A-29 simulation center, 40 custom T-Walls, two entry control points, and tie downs for twelve A-29 aircraft, as well as life support area (LSA), and government office compound.

With the groundbreaking on the 15th of February, RELYANT has officially begun Phase II, which consists of the construction of various vital facilities on base. Sunshades to protect and store the A-29 Super Tucanos, 4 Earth Covered Magazines, apron repairs, munitions assembly and storage areas, and an annex for the A-29 flight simulator are just some of the facilities slated for construction by the veteran-owned company.

These new facilities are imperative for the successful operation and required maintenance of the A-29 Super Tucanos, but this construction opportunity highlights a broader significance: a strengthened U.S. – Nigerian relationship. Brigadier General Thomas Tickner, Commander of USACE’s North Atlantic Division stated, “We are proud to partner with the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Air Force, and the Nigerian Air Force to deliver support facilities for their new fleet of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. These projects are a prime example of USACE’s unique ability to apply its engineering expertise in ways that build partner capacity, strengthen strategic relationships, and bolster Nigeria’s security capability.”

Phase II of this project, which was awarded to RELYANT by the US Department of Defense in May 2021, is estimated to be complete by May 2023 and illustrates the dynamic alliance between the United States and Nigeria.