The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has officially graduated and honored 12 newly trained combat pilots from the Basic Flying Course-20 at the 403 Flying Training School in Kano. This announcement comes through a statement released on Thursday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
In addressing the newly winged pilots, the CAS emphasized the need for them to demonstrate the highest standards of skill and dedication, underlining that their training investments are crucial for the sustained success of operations across different theaters in the country.
Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted the NAF’s commitment to conducting both independent and joint operations, aimed at significantly reducing criminal activities and restricting their freedom of action. He emphasized the importance of shaping the operational environment in various theaters to enhance security efforts.
He said the efforts could only be sustained with the injection of new and vibrant pilots to add energy and bite to the operations.
Abubakar said the new combat pilots were being injected at a time when NAF had immensely benefitted from the Federal Government’s determination to provide necessary platforms and equipment in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of criminality.
According to him, the acquisition of new platforms comes with the attendant consequences on manpower, training, and operating costs.
“This challenge is further exacerbated by the anticipated arrival of an array of new platforms such as the M-346, AH-1Z, A-109 Trekker, and the remaining T-129 ATAK helicopters.
“For NAF to bridge the manpower gaps currently experienced, a three-year training plan to commence from January 2024 must be sustained amid the availability of funding.
“It is in view of this projection that the graduation of the Basic Flying Course 20 is gladdening, as it serves to bridge the pilot deficiency gap,” The News Agency of Nigeria quoted him as saying.
The air chief further reminded the newly winged pilots of the current security environment, which, he said, had remained fluid and unpredictable due to threats posed by terrorists in the North as well as an upsurge in banditry and kidnapping activities across the country.
According to him, there still exist some threats to Nigeria’s unity and cohesion as posed by secessionist groups in the South-East, just as the theft of crude oil in the South-South has continued to threaten the economic well-being of the country.
He reminded the pilots to be aware that the journey was far from over, hence the need to continually strive to elevate the NAF to greater heights.
Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, AVM Nnamdi Ananaba, said the graduation represented the final phase of a series of training activities aimed at producing fully qualified pilots for the NAF.
