NAF Wings Four New Pilots
By Okodili Ndidi, Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday winged two fighter pilots and two combat helicopter pilots, who recently completed their training in the United States of America.
Forty five other pilots are undergoing training overseas.
Winging the pilots, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said the ceremony “bears glowing testament to our commitment towards enhancing and sustaining critical airpower capabilities required for joint force employment in pursuit of our national security imperatives”.
He said the Nigerian Air Force “cannot effectively and efficiently employ airpower if we do not have sufficient number of well-trained aviators and support personnel”.
According to him: “We shall sustain our efforts in pursuing purposeful training and human capacity development for our personnel.
“In line with this drive, I am glad to note that the Nigerian Air Force has several other pilots as well as personnel from other specialties undergoing various training courses both at home and abroad.
“For instance, we currently have a total of 233 officers and airmen/airwomen undergoing training courses overseas, cutting across several specialties and trades.
“Out of this number, four student pilots are in the Czech Republic undergoing basic fighter training on the L-39 aircraft. In the same vein, two student pilots are undergoing helicopter training at United States of America, while additional two have been processed to join them in the coming days.
“Furthermore, 10 pilots are in the United Kingdom undergoing basic helicopter pilot training.
“Additionally, another 17 are in South Africa undergoing basic fixed-wing pilot training.
“All these are aimed at maintaining combat readiness at significantly higher levels to counter both domestic and foreign threats to the Nation’s security and wellbeing”.
Chief of Training and Operations, Air Vice Marshal James Gwani, said the pilots “have gone through the rigours of flying training and their inclusion into the pilots’ corps would no doubt boost the strength of pilots especially as the NAF is inducting and expecting more platforms to combat the various security challenges across the country”.
– The Nation
