By Anastasia Agunwa :
Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has stated that the efforts of the current administration in providing the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, with new and modern platforms, as well as NAF’s ability to effectively operationalize their usage in the battlefield, has been instrumental to the level of successes being recorded against insecurity.
He stated this on Thursday while on operation tour of 205 Combat Search and Rescue Group, Kerang, Plateau State and 22 Quick Response Wing, Lafia in Nasarawa State.
The CAS noted that some of the new platforms in NAF’s Order of Battle, particularly the JF-17 Thunder aircraft, the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles have been one of the many reasons why, in his words, “we are winning the war against terrorism in the country”.
He however stated that more still needs to be done to completely decimate and flush out the remnants of terrorists still preying on soft targets. He also warned that being complacent at this point would be harmful to ongoing operations, as he called for extra focus, vigilance and caution.
Air Marshal Amao also informed the personnel that the NAF is expecting the delivery of additional new platforms which President Muhammadu Buhari has approved.
According to a statement made available by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, the platforms include: 2 CASA-295 medium airlift aircraft, 2 Beechcraft King Air 360, 4 Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft, 3 Wing Loong II UCAVs and 6 T-129 ATAK helicopters.
Other ongoing acquisitions include 2 Agusta 109 Trekker multi-role helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft to boost NAF’s air power employment and projection capabilities as well as air combat training.
The statement added that a few of these additional platforms are expected to be delivered to the NAF before the end of First quarter 2023.
Speaking on the upcoming general elections, the CAS told airmen that in exercising their constitutional right to vote for any candidate of their choice, they must desist from engaging in any form of political activities.
“We must continue to maintain our integrity and neutrality as a Service. You must also remember that as custodians of Nigeria’s constitution, we must ensure that the public’ s perception of the NAF and the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains positive and unblemished,” the CAS cautioned.
