350 officers of Western Naval Command conclude SAFEX exercise

 

 

A total of 350 officers and ratings from ships, units, and establishments in the Lagos area of the Western Naval Command has concluded the Small Arms Firing Exercise/Range Classification (SAFEX) which held at the 192 Battalion Shooting Range, Nigerian Army, Owode, Ogun State.

These events included the use of the General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), AK47, AK56, M70-AB2, Tavor, and pistols, fired from various positions and at different distances.

Speaking during the conclusion of the exercise, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Micheal Oamen, commended the officers and soldiers shooting skills, saying that it kept them battle ready for exigencies.

Oamen said that the just concluded exercise for Lagos Area was not just to test their skills, but to strengthen the bonds of the men and women that makes them a formidable naval fighting force.

“Today has been a most fulfilling day as we stand here, dust settling on the range and the echoes of rifle fire fading.

“To every one of you officers, ratings, support teams here today, I say BRAVO ZULU and welldone for pushing limits, and for proving, yet again, that the Western Naval Command is built on grit and brotherhood,” the FOC said. 

Oamen added that the exercise was conducted simultaneously across the Command’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) at three locations.

He said that the locations were 192 Battalion Shooting Range in Owode, the 35 Artillery Brigade at Alamala Barracks in Abeokuta, and the 323 Artillery Regiment at the Military Range in Ita-Ogbolu, Akure.

“I specially congratulate the SAFEX Organising Committee for a job welldone despite the limited time available for Organising the event.

“I also acknowledge the sharpshooters amongst you who nailed their targets, and especially the Range Coaches from 192 BN NA Owode for a job welldone.

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“I am indeed impressed with your level of professionalism in managing the event,” the FOC said.

Oamen also commended every participant including members of the press who treated safety as sacred and teamwork as non-negotiable.

He urged participants to ensure that the discipline of the range be maintained in their daily routines and carry the lessons learnt from the exercise forward in life.

“Let the trust we have built here define our conduct in any operation we are deployed subsequently.