The United Kingdom (UK) has deployed officers from the royal air force to help rain Nigerian personnel.
The 66 personnel will be in Nigeria for six weeks is expected to wrap up by Mid July.
In a statement issued by Joe Abuku, Press and Public Affairs officer, British High Commission, Abuja the team will be in Nigeria for six weeks.
The statement reads: “A 66 person Short Term Training Team (STTT) from No 5 Royal Air Force (RAF) Force Protection Wing deployed from RAF Lossiemouth to Nigeria for a 6 week period to train the Nigerian Air Force Regiment.
“The focus of the STTT is to deliver a training package which enables students to operate effectively in the Complex Air Ground Environment (CAGE) by understanding their role to provide security and Force Protection operations both inside and outside an Air base. This forms a key part of a layered defence system; deterring and defeating an enemy away from the airfield whilst also assuring internal security of a base. Additionally, Commissioned and Non-Commissioned officers will be given the opportunity to enhance their tactical leadership and planning skills, whilst the Junior Airmen and Airwomen build on the skills they learned during basic training.
The detachment, the 3rd undertaken by 5 Force Protection (FP) Wing in a 5 year programme, comes after a request from the Nigerian Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar to assist in capacity building for the Nigerian Air Force Regiment.
Air Marshal Abubakar said: “Given the importance of bases in the airpower delivery matrix, it is not inconceivable to expect our adversaries to target our airbases. As a matter of fact, we have had an attack on one of our airbases in the recent past, and current intelligence reports keep highlighting the possibility of attacks on our bases. All these reinforce the need to emplace a robust base defence concept that is capable of providing guidance for responding to a wide range of situations that may threaten our bases.”
Officer Commanding 5 Force Protection Wing, Wing Commander John Rees said: “We are delighted to be here again and, as always, humbled by the warmth of the Nigerian welcome. We are proud of our Royal Air Force heritage and the opportunity to represent our service in the Defence Engagement arena.”
During time away from delivering training, STTT personnel have taken opportunities to expand their cultural awareness. A small group attended their first Nigerian church service, meeting local people and celebrating together. Others burn the midnight oil, thinking tactics and formations for the first of the UK vs Nigeria Air Forces football series.
Having already delivered the Train the Trainer package to 50 Non Commissioned Officers and Commissioned Officers, a further 250 students will now begin the Foundation Phase, bringing a total of around 300 Nigerian personnel to be trained across a mixture of ranks. The programme will culminate with a demanding final exercise at a live airfield to validate the understanding of all skills taught in a realistic environment prior to the graduating students deploying to their first operational assignment in the Nigerian Air Force.
To combat the nation’s security challenges, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Wednesday it has acquired new platforms and was currently reactivating existing ones.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, stated this in Lagos during the inauguration of newly built Air Force Secondary School and Airmen Transit Accommodation at 401 Communications Depot, Shasha.
Abubakar said the in – country reactivation of NAF’s aircraft was one of the gains of the Force capacity building, adding that six reactivated Alpha Jets engines were already being flown.
He said: “Just recently, we reactivated six engines of Alpha Jets that would have been taken outside the country. Those six engines have been mounted on the aircrafts and they are flying. That clearly shows our personnel are working hard.
“In Makurdi, we inducted MI-35 helicopter and helicopter gunships. Through the help of the federal government, we are reactivating airplanes. We are tying as much as possible to attend to the welfare of officers and men and they are now putting in their best.
“So, we are seeing the benefits in their inputs. Our focus is on capacity building. We trained some of our personnel abroad and they are coming back home to save the country of resources that would have been spent outside.
“This has contributed immensely towards equipping the service to conduct counter insurgency operations and also contend with other emerging security challenges across the country. Be assured that we will continue to do our best in meeting our statutory responsibilities of defending the territorial integrity of the nation.”
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has dismissed the allegation of a coup plot by an online media platform as mischievous and baseless.
The NAF, in a statement issued on Thursday, said it remains loyal to the present administration and the Nigerian Constitution, insisting that it would do nothing to truncate the nation’s democracy.
Reacting to an online publication on the matter, the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said “the attention of the Nigerian Air Force has been drawn to a mischievous allegation by an online media organization of the NAF’s involvement in the planning of a purported coup d’état to take over the reins of government.
“The NAF considers it most ridiculous that anyone in his/her right senses, especially in the Twenty First Century, could still be fixated on the possibility of effecting a change in government in Nigeria in any way other than through the ballot box.
“It would be recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, had on 18 May 2017, while commissioning new residential accommodation for personnel at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive Abuja, emphatically pledged the loyalty of the NAF to the President and Commander-in-Chief as well as to the Nigerian Constitution.
“It is imperative to state that the earlier stance of the NAF on the unfortunate coup rumours has not changed.
“The NAF is a highly professional and apolitical Service that is focused on ensuring the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as facilitating a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to prosper while conducting their legal businesses. The strong belief of the NAF in democratic values was also demonstrated during the recent Gambian crisis.
“The NAF was the first and only air force that ensured the will of Gambians was not subverted by promptly deploying its fighter aircraft, in addition to its transport aircraft to airlift needed troops and logistics, in readiness to preserve the country’s democracy, in line with the Federal Government’s directives.
“It is therefore inconceivable that the same NAF would be involved in any way in any attempt to dismantle the political structure in Nigeria.
“It appears some individuals with unknown intentions are bent on further spreading the malicious misinformation and hence, the need for the NAF to react.
“The Chief of the Air Staff would like to assure Nigerians as a whole of the unalloyed loyalty of all NAF personnel to the President and Commander-in-Chief as well as to the Government of Nigeria as democratically constituted.
“We therefore appeal to those peddling these false stories to cease, as they are constituting a source of distraction to NAF personnel, who are sacrificing on a daily basis to ensure the security of Nigeria.”
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it will test its personnel endurance and help them retain physical and mental fitness as the second edition of the Inter Command Combat Sports Competition begins in Jos. Assistant Editor, Seun Akioye reports
The men who stood on the track lane for the 400 meters combat relay competition wore rugged and fierce countenance. As if to further intimidate the opponents, some of them had painted a part of their faces with black and blue ink adding a formidable trace to their outlines.
It will not be an ordinary race both in appearance and significance, the men who were dressed for battle carried their rifles in one hand and their battle gears on their back. The race was also the first event in the Nigerian Air Force Inter Command Combat competition which is holding in the serene city of Jos, Plateau state.
Aptly tagged “Jos 2017,” the second edition of the NAF combat sports competition was a great improvement over the first edition in Kaduna state. Also, an additional Command will be joining the competing teams this year, bringing the total to six namely: NAF Headquarters (NAF HQ), Tactical Air Command (TAC), Mobility Command (MC), Training Command (TC), Logistics Command, (LC) and the new entrant, Special Operations Command (SOC).
The CAS, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Ambassador Sheni
The choice of Jos was instructive; the city hosts some of the most important logistics in the Air Force, it also hosts the NAF Military School and the weather is perfect for the competition. This year, the contingent would compete in eight sports including Boxing, Combat Swimming, Combat relay, Taekwondo, Shooting, Judo, Obstacle Crossing and Tug-of-war.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar did not mince his words on what outcomes he expected from the events. “By organising this second edition of the competition, it is my hope that our personnel would continue to maintain a high level of physical fitness. This aspiration no doubt is in tandem with my yearning and aspiration to re-position the NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperatives,” he said.
The CAS emphasised the importance of physical and mental fitness to the efficient discharge of the military thus: “Maintaining a high level of combat and physical fitness would no doubt help our personnel pawn: to discharge this constitutional responsibility optimally when called to do so.
“Physical fitness remains the cornerstone of military combat readiness, it is in this light that the Nigerian Air Force introduced 10km walk jog, mute match exercise and recently combat sports competition which involved non-contact and contact events.
“The contact events like Boxing, Judo and Taekwondo keep the personnel in top physical form to enable them to carry out their responsibilities effectively. It is also the basis for good health and physical well-being. While the non-contact events such as shooting and obstacle crossing boost their skills of marksmanship as well as stamina and endurance so as to enable them to carry out their professional tasks effectively.
Helicopter evacuation of wounded soldiers
“It must be stated that even with acquired modem weapon and the continued effort to reactivate our assets we are not unaware of the fact that the Service needs personnel that are physically and mentally prepared to make the difference in any conflict. Similarly, Service members who are physically fit can endure tough conditions, hard work and stress more readily than those who are not. To this end, NAF has provided Gymnasia and physical fitness facilities in most units for the use of personnel and their families. I encourage all to take full advantage of these facilities, he said.
A colourful opening ceremony
The opening ceremony witnessed a spectacular representation not only for the contingent but also in the high profile personalities. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin was represented by Major General A.A Salihu, other service chiefs also sent representations while the “son of the soil” and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni represented the Minister of Defence.
Also, governors of Kaduna and Bauchi state sent their representations while the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Jeremiah Useni stood in for the chairman.
The Former governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang and a former CAS, Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep as well as the Plateau state Executive were also in attendance. The Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong came in impressively dressed in a camouflage.
The contingent to the competition matched according to their commands, but not least impressive are the teams competing for the CAS special awards. The march past was spectacular, with the contingent displaying discipline and technical accuracy. After one round, they broke into a run which is to “intimidate the enemy in battle.”
But for all the spectacular display of the contingent, the star of the opening ceremony was Governor Lalong. Looking impressive in his military camouflage, he expertly took the salute from the marchers and parade commander to the admiration of the officers and civilians.
March past by the contingent
“I feel like a retired military officer,” Lalong said after another wave of applause had died down. “The last time I wore a uniform was during my National Youth Service Corps, NYSC days, but today when I wore this, I wish I am a retired military officer.”
The governor also appreciated the NAF for bringing the competition to his state, he affirmed that in spite of challenges, the NAF is battle ready to deal with any case of security threat and sees the event in Jos as one of the dividends of peace.
“It is one of the advantages peace has brought to us, this is why they are able to bring this competition here, we want to appeal to the NAF to continue to bring it here every year, the state government will support with logistics towards the cost of the events. We want the competition to encourage people that sports is not something you joke with,” the governor said.
Another spectacular performance of the opening event was the demonstration of the NAF medical evacuation procedures in battle. A team of nine special operations personnel were under attack, some of them fell. A rescue team was called in and a medical team also arrived. The casualties were arranged in order of priority and soon a NAF 575 helicopter arrived in the horizon to take the wounded to the hospital and convey the remains of the dead.
It was a highly technical operation which was conducted in minutes to show the NAF preparedness and capacity in the event of a medical evacuation in hostile territory.
The first event of the Combat sports lived up to expectation, the runners kicked up dust while exchanging their rifles in place of batons. At the end, Training Command was winners with a time of 50 seconds, NAF HQ came a close second with 52 seconds on the clock, TAC was not far behind with 55 seconds time-lapse.
The winners were decorated by the CAS and Governor Lalong with medals, as the competition continues, it remains to be seen if TC can maintain dominance it has established early in the competition.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated the first set of Super Mushshak Instructor Pilots.
The conversion of the pilots is expected to enhance pilot training which will in turn impact positively on the operational effectiveness of the NAF especially in the fight against insurgency and other criminalities within the country.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, the NAF said the training will further boost the training of young pilots as 30 officers have already been selected to commence training with the newly trained Instructor Pilots.
While presenting certificates to the new graduating Instructor Pilots, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar stated that training has remained a major means of transformation over the ages. According to him, the importance of training informed the choice of ‘human capacity development through robust and result-oriented training for enhanced professional performance’ as the first key driver to the attainment of his vision for the Nigerian Air Force.
It will be recalled that the Nigerian Air Force inducted the Super Mushshak aircraft into the NAF inventory on 5 December 2016 to address the challenge of training pilots. The graduation marked the final takeover of the aircraft as Nigerian pilots can now fly and train other student pilots.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has described the bombing of a civilian settlement by an Air Force fighter jet as a tragic mistake.
Air Marshal Abubakar spoke at the 117 Air Combat Training Group (ACTG), Kainji on Wednesday during the deployment of about 200 Air Force troops to The Gambia.
He said the pilots got airborne to save lives but a mistake led to the “tragic loss of lives.”
Abubakar said: “It was a very tragic thing yesterday (Tuesday), our pilots got airborne hoping to save lives but unfortunately there was a tragic mistake which lead to the loss of life of innocent people, we have been operating for eight years in the North East now we have flown close to 6000hrs, this is the first time we are having this tragedy.
“This is very tragic and unfortunate incident, sometimes it does happen in war, I want to say that we share in the pains and sorrows of the families that have lost loved ones, I want to sympathise with those that are wounded.
“We have directed our Chief of medical services to provide medical facility in Maiduguri to the wounded so that they can also be treated there in addition to other medical facilities that is available in Maiduguri.”
He assured that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident.
“Also we are putting up a high-powered committee at the Air Force level, I know the theatre commander is also working hard to find out what really happened, the information we have are very sketchy, we don’t want to pre-empt the findings of this committee both at the headquarters level and the Committee that has been set up.
“It is very tragic and unfortunate but I want to assure as a professional service we will continue to evaluate our procedures and processes so that we can be effective in dealing with those that are out to kill innocent people and not what really happened on Tuesday.
The troops deployment to The Gambia was a mandate of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to enforce the results of the December 1, 2016 presidential election in that country.
The Air Force personnel were airlifted from Kainji to Dakar in Senegal. The troops which included the Special Forces, Combat Support Group, Technicians, Medical officials etc were airborne in the Hercules C-130 military transport plane.
The CAS who addressed the troops urged them to keep Nigeria’s flag flying by being professional and to conduct themselves to the Air Force high standard.
“They have been given the task which is very well defined, and we have put together all the air assets that we think are necessary to ensure that we are able to to successfully conduct this operation and that is what we have on the ground here,” Abubakar said.
Among the platforms being deployed to the Gambia include: fighter airplanes, helicopters, C-130 and the large utility helicopter which also be useful in the conduct of the operation.
“What we have here are men that are highly trained, highly skilled they know their job and they know their task, and as a professional service the commander of the air assets will work together with other commanders and they will come up with what is required in terms of plans, to be able to execute their tasks and come back home,” Abubakar said.
Also, it was reliably gathered that the Nigerian Army is also set to deploy to the Gambia on Thursday. The Army troops will be airlifted by the C-130 transport plane. The Navy had on Monday deployed it’s newest battleship, NNS Unity to the tiny West African country.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will ensure defeated terror group Boko Haram does not regroup in any part of the northeast as the military focuses on consolidating on the gains it recorded after the fall of Sambisa Forest.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, made this known in Abuja during a press briefing to highlight major achievements and activities of the NAF in 2016.
The CAS said the NAF’s major focus in 2017 will be to monitor every part of Sambisa forest to ensure that Boko Haram group does not regroup anywhere in the northeast. He said the NAF is enhancing coordination with other Services, including the Army and the Navy for proper monitoring and effective control.
“We fly regularly to observe and monitor the works of the ground troops, imagine someone flying eight hours nonstop to conduct Intelligence and Surveillance, all these are done to ensure that Boko Haram does not regroup anywhere in the northeast, we will maintain robust presence and use our air power robustly,” he said.
The Air Chief also disclosed that the NAF has acquired two Mi-35 attack helicopters to fight terrorists and criminal gangs.
He said NAF has also enhanced the infrastructures at the various Air Force bases, declaring that “Unlike what happened in 2013, it is highly unlikely that an attack can be carried out on any of our bases now, it will be suicidal for anyone to attack us because of the enhancement we have done, we also cannot afford to lose any aircraft now.”
The Director of Operations of NAF, Air Vice Marshal Dayo Amao, who read some of the major achievements of the NAF in 2016, said the NAF’s surveillance, intelligence gathering and using air power to soften the ground before ground troops take over contributed greatly to the success in the fight against Boko Haram.
The Nigerian Air Force on Friday said it would continue to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, made the promise while briefing journalists on the activities of the Service in 2016 at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja.
Abubakar said NAF had improved its capability to deal with any threat to the nation’s territorial integrity.
He said emphasis was also geared towards respect for human rights while its personnel carry out their professional duties.
“We had a retreat for the pilots on respect for human rights in 2016,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the NAF chief as saying at the forum.
“All these were aimed at reducing casualties in the course of our professional duties.”
He also said NAF had established 5th Air fleet Command in Bauchi and some units under it in Gusau and Owerri.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has told the Nigerian Air Force personnel involved in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast that President Muhammadu Buhari is very happy and appreciates their efforts.
Abubakar said this during an Eid El Kabir celebration lunch with Air Force troops at Yola Air Force Base on Tuesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The NAF chief was represented by Chief of Policy and Plans, NAF headquarters, AVM James Abubakar.
Abubakar said Buhari was full of appreciation for the troops and urged them to sustain the efforts toward bringing peace to the Northeast and Nigeria.
“The good work you are doing is appreciated by the commander-in-chief, he is sending his greetings to you at this festive time,” NAN quoted Air Marshal Abubakar as saying the troops.
“He commended your efforts and urged you to sustain your commitment to peace in the Northeast and Nigeria as a whole.
“We also want to use this opportunity to thank the commander-in-chief for his support to the Nigerian Air Force,’’ Abubakar said.
He said NAF was also happy with the troops’ performance and would continue to ensure their welfare and those of their families.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has said physical exercise through sporting activities is a necessary training feature for military personnel in the fight against terrorism and other security challenges in Nigeria.
The Air Force Chief made this known during the closing ceremony of the Army Headquarters and Guards Brigade Garrison Sports Competition at the Aguiyi Ironsi cantonment, Abuja. The championship was organized to select athletes that will represent the Army Headquarters, during the Nigerian Army Sports Festival holding in October 2016 in Abuja.
Abubakar, who was the Special Guest of Honour said sports oil the machinery of the armed forces all over the world as it promotes physical fitness, engenders team spirit and the espirit de corps among troops and improves productivity.
He said: “Sports enables the military man to build endurance, withstand stress and it engenders good health and total well being. It remains one of the essential ingredients of building combat ready personnel. The philosophy of building friendship through sports is even more relevant to the armed forces giving its key role in the promotion of the espirit de corps.
“This clearly explains why sports championships are a recurring feature for training activities for all the services. I am particularly happy to be part of today’s occasion which attests to the Nigerian army professional thrust to cope with the existing security challenges in our country.”
The Air Marshall said the importance of sporting activities among service men cannot be downplayed giving the security challenges facing the country.” I want to commend the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) for organizing this competition, which is a prelude to a bigger sporting event in October, the kind of challenges we face today requires personnel that have a sound mind in a sound body, so what we are having here is a demonstration of how healthy and able our personnel are to deal with some of the challenges we are facing in Nigeria,” he said.
On his part, the COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai, praised the cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force promises that such cooperation will help not only in improving Nigerian security but also help defeat terrorism.
“This is a corporation that has been going on for a long time between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force. One of the principles of war is corporation, so while we cooperate in the field, we also come down to the sport environment to further get our troops physically fit to continue to fight and address any challenge we have in the theater or any other area in the country.
“So it is a cooperation we cherish and I appreciate the Chief Of Air Staff for coming here personally. We look forward to more of such cooperation not only in the informal way in sports arena, but we will continue to do that as we have been doing in the various theatres of operation,” Burutai said.
The Army chief also promised that sports competitions will not only serve to improve soldier’s fitness, but also as a channel to provide athletes that will represent Nigeria in continental and global competitions.
“Army sports are back, we recently won the boxing championship that was held in Cameroon, our troops were also in one of the eastern countries to participate in boxing and you know recently, the Nigerian army football team, the Green Berets got the promoted to Division one in one of the leagues.
“So this is a beginning, a restart of what we used to do before. It is unfortunate that over the years, some of these basic activities were relegated, but today the army is back as a force, we are good in all spheres, since we have started, I want to assure you that by next year we will get more laurels and we will be participating in the National Sports Festival coming up later in the year.”
However, the Guards Brigade Garrison defeated the Army Headquarters Garrison by winning 42 gold, 50 silver and 25 bronze medals while the Army Headquarters on 39 gold, 30 silver and 30 bronze medals. The three-day event witnessed competitions in Boxing, Judo, wrestling, taekwondo, swimming, volleyball, football, handball, tug of war, badminton, scrabble, chess, squash and table tennis. It also witnessed track and field events including combat relay.
