NAF Personnel Currently Undergoing Special Training Due To Uprise In Insecurity

•Six new pilots winged

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said 2,656 of its personnel are currently undergoing special training within the country and abroad to sharpen their combat readiness.

Aside from the training, which entails Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations, six new pilots have been winged and added to the team of NAF pilots fighting across the theatres of operation.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, who announced this at the winging  of graduated pilots and decoration of seven promoted Masters Warrant Officers, said the NAF under his watch has consciously intensified the training of personnel across all specialties, despite budgetary constraints.

The CAS said the NAF was poised to maintain combat readiness to address various security challenges confronting the nation.

He said: “As we speak, 99 officers and 24 airmen/airwomen are undergoing various trainings that cut across specialties in various countries, including the United States of America (U.S.A), the United Kingdom (UK), South Africa, India, France, Egypt and Pakistan, amongst others.

“In addition, 2,656 NAF personnel across all specialties are being trained. In particular, 27 UAV operators are undergoing type rating on the CH-3 and CH-4 UAVs.

“In the same vein, 22 trainees are undergoing UAV operators training locally, and about 15 others are expected to commence basic training on the UAVS by the end of the next quarter.”

Amao added that the winging of five NAF UAV operators as well as the decoration of seven new Air Warrant Officers with their new rank was part of the highlights of his vision to enhance and sustain critical airpower capabilities required for joint force deployment for national security imperatives.