NAF @57: Airpower Capability Developed To Protect Nigeria’s Integrity.
By Helen udoh-Abuja
..Yet To Locate Missing Aircraft After Over 1 Month of Crash
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has said it has developed sufficient Airpower Capability to Protect Nigeria’s Integrity in the last 57 years to ward off any external aggression against Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“Another platform, JF-17! Thunder aircraft will also be inducted to expand NAF’s airpower in commemoration of the anniversary”
The Chairman, Organizing Committee for the NAF 57th Anniversary celebration, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar disclosed this in a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, said that the launch of the facility will take place at NAF Base, Asokoro on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.he also said that in the last five years, the Nigerian Air Force has inducted 25 aircraft to boost it air capabilities.
He said this year’s anniversary with the theme ‘Enhancing Nigerian Air Force Airpower Capabilities for Effective Joint Operations in Response to Contemporary National Security Challenges’, is aimed at “emphasizing the renewed focus on cooperation and collaboration among the Services in military operations”.
Abubakar stated that, the theme is in tandem with the vision of the Chief of Air Staff’s vision to “enhance and sustain critical airpower capabilities required for joint Force employment in pursuit of national security imperatives”.
“you will agree with me that the Nigerian Air Force has grown over the years into a formidable Force within the West African sub-region and it is only rational to celebrate its existence as well as the laudable achievements recorded over the years”, he said.
He stated that “one unique activity that will be carried out during this year’s anniversary is the launching of the Nigerian Air Force tele-medicine facility in Abuja.
“The aim of establishing the facility is to enhance provision of excellent medicare to personnel and their dependants as well as civilian beneficiaries at the lowest cost”he said.
This year’s anniversary according to Abubakar, will be a low key event “but structured to enlighten Nigerians of the efforts of the NAF in the fight against insurgency”.
Speaking at the Jumaat Service,the Chief of Administration AVM Isah Mohammed said the evolved over the years to attain it present status worthy of celebration.
Abubakar said that, NAF assets are deployed in the Northeast, NorthWest, North Central and the SouthEast to restore peace.
” sadly,the Service is yet to find the location of it’s missing aircraft despite frantic efforts”he noted.
” Efforts are still ongoing to find the missing aircraft and the pilots, he revealed.