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Tag: NAF

  • NAF redeploys three Air Officers Commanding, 14 other senior officers

    NAF redeploys three Air Officers Commanding, 14 other senior officers

    The Nigerian Air Force has redeployed three Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and 14 other senior officers as part of routine exercise to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.

    The air force Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    According to Adesanya, with the redeployment, AVM Oladayo Amao is now the AOC Tactical Air Command, Makurdi, AVM Mohammed Idris, AOC, Air Training Command, Kaduna, and AVM Remigus Ekeh, AOC, Logistics Command, Lagos.

    In the same vein, AVM Ibrahim Yahaya, the former AOC Logistics Commanding becomes the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters, while AVM Christopher Okoye, who was the former AOC Air Training Command, is now Director of evaluation, Defence Headquarters, (DHQ)

    Also redeployed are: AVM Olusoji Awomodu as Director of Operations at DHQ, AVM Okechukwu Ntukogu, Senior Air Staff Officer, Headquarters Mobility Command, Yenagoa, AVM Napoleon Bali as Director of Operations at NAF Headquarters.

    The redeployment saw AVM Mahmoud Ahmed as Director of Legal Services at NAF HQ, AVM Dahiru Sanda, Director of Space Utility at DHQ and AVM Charles Ohwo, Director of Evaluation at NAF HQ.

    Similarly, Air Commodore Ado Inuwa is now the Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

    Adesanya said Air Commodore Aliyu Bello who was the former Commander 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna State, had been redeployed as the Director of Training, NAF HQ.

    He said following the exercise, Group Capt. Ahmed Dari has been appointed as the Commander, 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna.

    Adesanya said the postings will take effect from January 29.

  • NAF redeploys three commanders, 14 others

    NAF redeploys three commanders, 14 others

    The Nigerian Air Force has redeployed three Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and 14 other senior officers as part of routine exercise to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.

    The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Olatokunbo Adesanya disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    According to Adesanya,  AVM Oladayo Amao is now the AOC of the Tactical Air Command, Makurdi, AVM Mohammed Idris, AOC, Air Training Command, Kaduna, and AVM Remigus Ekeh, AOC, Logistics Command, Lagos.

    In the same vein, AVM Ibrahim Yahaya, the former AOC Logistics Commanding becomes the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters, while AVM Christopher Okoye, who was the former AOC Air Training Command, is now Director of evaluation, Defence Headquarters, (DHQ).

    Read Also: NAF  takes delivery of additional 5 Super Mushsak aircraft

    Also redeployed are: AVM Olusoji Awomodu as Director of Operations at HQD, AVM Okechukwu Ntukogu, Senior Air Staff Officer, Headquarters Mobility Command, Yenagoa, AVM Napoleon Bali as Director of Operations at NAF Headquarters.

    The redeployment saw AVM Mahmoud Ahmed as Director of Legal Services at NAF HQ, AVM Dahiru Sanda, Director of Space Utility at DHQ and AVM Charles Ohwo, Director of Evaluation at NAF HQ.

    Similarly, Air Commodore Ado Inuwa is now the Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

    Adesanya said Air Commodore Aliyu Bello who was the former Commander 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna State, had been redeployed as the Director of Training, NAF HQ.

    He said following the exercise, Group Capt. Ahmed Dari has been appointed as the Commander, 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna.

    Adesanya said that the postings will take effect from Jan. 29.

    NAN

  • NAF destroys Boko Haram facilities, kills insurgents

    NAF destroys Boko Haram facilities, kills insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said on Wednesday it used remotely piloted aircraft to destroy emerging Boko Haram vehicle workshop in the Sambisa general area.

    It added that Boko Haram members who were within the vicinity of the target area were killed in the operation as well.

    A statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations of NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the operation was carried out after an Intelligence,  Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform had established the presence of the insurgents and their facilities in the area.

    The statement reads: “A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), on 15 January 2018, successfully destroyed an emerging Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) vehicle workshop in the Sambisa general area.

    “A NAF Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform had previously discovered that BHT vehicles were parked in the location. Consequently, a NAF RPA was detailed to conduct armed reconnaissance in search of BHT vehicles and terrorists around the location, which was apparently being used as a vehicle workshop.

    “The RPA discovered that BHT motorcycles and vehicles, including a BHT Commander’s vehicle were parked in the targeted area. Additionally, several terrorists were seen moving intermittently within the targeted area.

    “The subsequent air strike by the NAF RPA resulted in the immediate destruction of the vehicles in the targeted location, killing all the BHTs inside it, as no survivors were seen scampering from the location after impact.”

  • Nigeria’s air assets not enough to fight insurgency – NAF chief

    Nigeria’s air assets not enough to fight insurgency – NAF chief

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said on Wednesday that Nigeria’s air assets are not enough to fight insurgency and protect the country’s territorial integrity.

    He said the Nigerian Air Force is investing heavily in capacity building and training of its officers and men to enable the force discharge its responsibility effectively and efficiently.

    He said the human capacity development efforts of the present leadership of the Air Force have greatly enhanced force projection capability not only within Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast, but beyond the shores of the country.

    Air Marshal Abubakar stated these at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja, during the decoration with new wings, 11 officers who had just completed their pilot training programmes in South Africa.

    He said: “Section 217 Sub Section 2b of the 1999 Constitution as amended assigned the role of protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and integrity by air on the Nigerian Air Force.

    “To discharge this responsibility, Nigerian Air Force relies on air assets fighter aircraft, helicopter gunships and other platforms to discharge this responsibility. Air assets alone however without adequately trained pilots cannot enable Nigerian Air Force to effectively discharge this Constitutional responsibility.

    “It is against this background that NAF embarked on human capacity development in all NAF Specialties.

    “We are exceedingly delighted to have before us today the products of this effort. We are expecting additional 10 pilots from International Aviation College in Ilorin and four pilots from South Africa to complete their training in February 2018.

    “By end of February therefore, the NAF would have successfully winged 72 pilots. Furthermore, there are an additional 74 pilots that are training to qualify for awards of NAF wings.

    “Out of this number 64 are training in Nigeria while the remaining 10 are training outside Nigeria. In the area of Instructor Pilot Training, the NAF has trained 23 Instructor Pilots in the last two years while seven are currently undergoing training abroad with three in United States and four in Jordan.

    “Our training efforts in Kaduna have been greatly enhanced with the acquisition of 10 Supermushshak trainer aircraft.

    “Also in Kano, all hands are on deck to increase the number of Serviceable L-39ZA aircraft for basic fighter training. Due to increase in number of Serviceable A-Jets, the NAF has commenced advanced fighter training locally in Nigeria. These achievements will no doubt save the nation scarce resources required to train outside.”

     

  • Air Force Helicopter crashes

    Air Force Helicopter crashes

    The Nigerian Air Force has announced the crash of one of its helicopters while on a mission in the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the Northeast.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya however said no live was lost in the mishap.

    AVM Adesanya said in a statement: “​A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Mi-17 Helicopter has suffered a mishap while undertaking a mission in the ongoing counterinsurgency operation in the North East.

    “The incident, which occurred today, 8 January 2018, resulted in significant damage to the helicopter. There was, however, no loss of lives as a result of the incident.

    “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has immediately directed the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the exact cause of the incident, in line with global best practices.

    “The NAF continues to solicit the understanding and support of the general populace as it daily strives to ensure the security of Nigeria and Nigerians”.

    Meanwhile a new Acting Director Defence Information Brig. General John Agim has resumed work at the Defence Headquareters. He replaced Major General John Enenche who is now Commandant Army War College, Nigeria.

    According to a statement signed by Wing Commander Ademosu on behalf of the Director of Defence Information, Brig General Agim until his appointment was Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Public Relations.

  • Troops hit Boko Haram hideouts, kill several insurgents

    Troops hit Boko Haram hideouts, kill several insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Army (NA) combined team of Operation Lafiya Dole have launched attacks at the Boko Haram terrorists and their structures at the general area of the Sambisa forests, killing several insurgents.

    The terrorists’ hideouts were also destroyed by the troops.

    According to the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, the attacks were carried out with fighter jets and rocket launchers.

    AVM Adesanya said in a statement supported with a declassified video footage that the air strikes against the insurgents were carried out after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) have been established, indicating the presence of the insurgents in the area.

    The statement said: “The ongoing combined clearance operations by NAF and NA elements are aimed at preventing the full-scale resurgence of Boko Haram insurgency in the Sambisa general area.

    “On 3 January 2018, the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole and its Nigerian Army counterparts commenced combined clearance operations of discovered Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) locations in the Sambisa general area.

    “On the first day of the combined clearance operations, the Air Task Force conducted intensive bombardments on selected BHT locations, preparatory to the commencement of the operation.

    “Previous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) platforms had revealed the presence of BHT in Njimia, in the Sambisa general area, from where the insurgents launched attacks on own surface forces.

    “Accordingly, NAF fighter aircraft were detailed to attack the location and each of the aircraft took turns to attack structures occupied by BHT elements in the settlement.

    “The air attacks set several BHT structures ablaze and destroyed them. On the same day, the Air Task Force conducted air interdiction on another BHT hideout near Camp Zairo.

    “Previous ISR on the location had indicated the resurgence of BHT activities in the location, which had been previously liberated. Accordingly, structures occupied by BHT elements in the location were attacked, in succession, by NAF fighter aircraft.

    “The air strikes caused the destruction of more BHT structures and the neutralization of several insurgents. Some insurgents were sighted fleeing the area and they were taken out in subsequent follow-up attacks.

    “Later in the evening of the same day, the Air Task Force scrambled two fighter aircraft and one helicopter to support own surface forces that had come under BHT attack at Tokombere, 12km southwest of Camp Zairo.

    “The NAF aircraft supported the troops in repelling the attack, causing the insurgents to withdraw to the northeast of Tokombere. Consequently, at about 11:00 p.m., the Air Task Force detailed another helicopter to conduct air interdiction on the insurgents’ new location.

    “The Battle Damage Assessment from a NAF ISR platform indicated that the helicopter successfully dropped its weapons on the insurgents’ position, killing many and causing some survivors to flee.

    “Therefore, the ISR platform tracked the fleeing insurgents to another location and later coordinated the NA artillery bombardment of the insurgents’ new location. Several rockets were launched from the NA’s Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher, most of which landed on the insurgents, killing some of them and causing a few survivors to flee in disarray.

    “The ongoing combined clearance operations by NAF and NA elements are aimed at preventing the full-scale resurgence of BHT in the Sambisa general area.”

     

  • NAF chief tasks new commanders on Boko Haram

    NAF chief tasks new commanders on Boko Haram

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said on Wednesday the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is targeting victory over the Boko Haram insurgents and the Niger Delta militants.

    He said victory over the terrorists and militants has become imperative for the armed forces in order to ensure that the labour of Nigeria’s past heroes are not in vain.

    Abubakar further tasked the newly posted field commanders to ensure that they keep the country peaceful and secured in the face of the current security challenges in the country.

    The NAF chief made the remarks at the CAS Awards Ceremony and Workshop for newly posted Field Commanders at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja.

    He said: “We are living in extraordinary times with myriads of problems threatening to shake the foundation laid by the founding fathers of this great nation and by extension, threatening to erode the labour of our heroes past.”

    “As Chief of the Air Staff, I have had the privilege of commanding men and women who showed courage in the face of terror, exhibited strength where others saw fear and applied ingenuity where others perceived impossibility.

    “Most importantly, I have enjoyed the honour and rare privilege of serving under the selfless, visionary and resilient leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “This combination of factors imbued us with the courage needed to win at all fronts as a force; be it against Boko Haram terrorism in the North East or militancy in the South -south or the myriads of other security challenges nationwide.”

     

  • NAF bombs Boko Haram hideouts in Sambisa, kills more insurgents

    NAF bombs Boko Haram hideouts in Sambisa, kills more insurgents

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) said on Friday it has carried out more air strikes against the Boko Haram terrorists in the Sambisa general area in Borno State, killing scores of insurgents and destroying their hideouts in the process.

    The bombardment of the insurgents were conducted with four fighter jets and two helicopters after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissannce (ISR) missions have been carried out on the target areas.

    The Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole carried out the strikes in an operation code-named operation Ruwan Wuta III.

    He explained in a statement supported with a declassified video footage that “on  December 12, 20 17, the Air Task Force of OP LAFIYA DOLE commenced an intensive bombardment of the hideouts of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) in Northern Borno and the Sambisa general area in an operation codenamed Operation Ruwan Wuta lll.

    “On the first day of the operation, an air interdiction mission was conducted on a BHT hideout in Kolaram, which is 37km East of Monguno.”

    According to AVM Adesanya, “Previous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions by NAF platforms had revealed Kolaram to be an active BHT location from where the terrorists had launched attacks on our surface forces in Northern Borno.

    Read Also: NAF Jet bombs Boko Haram structures, kills scores

    “Accordingly, two NAF helicopters were detailed for a pre-dawn attack on the settlement, followed by another wave of attacks from four fighter aircraft.

    “Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) showed that several structures were destroyed, causing fire within the settlement while some insurgents were killed in the process.

    “On the same day, one NAF helicopter and some fighter aircraft attacked an adjoining settlement Southeast of Kolaram, targeting structures that had been observed to host significant BHT activities. The targeted BHT structures were destroyed and engulfed in fire, killing the terrorists hiding in them.

    “During the attacks on Kolaram and Southeast of Kolaram, some escaping insurgents were tracked as they fled northwards to Jubilaram, which is 38km Northeast of Monguno.

    ” Accordingly, another wave of air interdiction was launched on the location, which was also found to be active with BHT activities. Four NAF fighter aircraft took turns to attack structures occupied by BHT elements in the settlement.

    “Subsequent BDA revealed that the attacks resulted in a large part of the settlement being engulfed in fire, thereby destroying the BHTs structures and neutralizing the fleeing BHTs.”

     

  • NAF ready to partner innovative institutions for capacity development

    NAF ready to partner innovative institutions for capacity development

    The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) says it is ready to partner with innovative institutions for capacity development to combat insecurity and insurgency in the country.

    AVM Paul Jemitola, Principal Director, Air Research and Development Center, NAF, Kaduna, said this on Wednesday in Benin at the ongoing 15th meeting of the National Council of Science and Technology.

    Jemitola said that this was in line with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar’s vision for the Air Force.

    According to him, the Air Chief is keen on research and development and encourages all kinds of development projects by the Air Force.

    He said the Air Force was at the meeting to network and collaborate with other agencies and ministries that had capacity that would be of benefit to the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    Jemitola said that the latest technology developed in addition to the many innovations by the Air Force were the Gulma Unmanned Area Vehicle ( UAV ) and the Unmanned Ground Vehicle ( UGV ).

    Read also: NAF acquires, reactivates five additional air craft to fight insurgency

    He said that the UAV had a maximum Altitude capacity of 10,000 feet; cruise speed of 86.4kts; endurance limit of 5.8h hours and with a range of 923 kilometres and an engine capacity of 17hp.

    Other components of the UAV, otherwise known as drone is that it is fully composite and a micro pilot avionics.

    He said that the raw materials used in developing both the UAV and UGV were sourced within the country.

    According to him, both equipment were designed and manufactured by the Air Development and Research Centre.

    He said that the key thing in all was the intellectual capacity that brought the innovation together to a functioning unit that could be used for military purposes.

    NAN

  • NAF replaces Northeast operations chief

    NAF replaces Northeast operations chief

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has appointed Air Vice Marshal Idi Lubo as the new air component commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in Borno State.

    He replaces Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf.

    Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, who spoke yesterday, said the development was to ensure increased efficiency against Boko Haram insurgency.

    The new chief would report to the theatre commander.

    Air Marshal Abubakar spoke at the opening of the Chief of Air Staff Fourth Quarterly Conference at the Blue Room, NAF Headquarters in Abuja.

    He added that NAF acquired five combat helicopters and activated new platforms in the Northeast to clear remnants of terrorists and ensure efficient operations to engender peace.

    According to him, pilots have been deployed for operational duties across the country, with about 500 Special Forces trained and deployed to ensure operational efficiency in the service.

    His words: “This conference is to appraise the progress made since the end of the Third Quarter. The last was held in Kaduna State three months ago. The conference is also to obtain ideas from the bottom to the top which would be shared towards moving NAF forward.

    “A number of pilots had completed their training and deployed for operational duties. A female pilot, for the first time in the history of NAF, was sent to the United States Air Force to train as a fighter pilot, having graduated as the overall best pilot during ab-initio training at 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna.

    “NAF has activated additional platforms, which were deployed for operations in the Northeast. For example, one Bell 412  Helicopter has been activated while work on the second one would be completed before end of the month.

    “One Mi-35P Helicopter is being reactivated and should be ready for operation by January 2018. The overhauled engines needed for the reactivation have arrived and the reactivation is being done locally to further build the capacity of NAF technical personnel and save cost. Foreign technical experts have been invited to execute the project in conjunction with NAF engineers and technicians.

    “The two additional Mi-35M helicopters recently procured have been test-flown in Russia and should be operational in Nigeria by February 2018. Therefore, five combat helicopters are being added to the NAF counter-insurgency effort.

    “NAF air operations in the Northeast have been reorganised for increased efficiency. The Air Component commander has been replaced with a commander, Air Task Force, an air vice marshall (two-star general), who reports to the theatre commander.

    “NAF has also appointed three Divisional Air Liaison Officers (DALO) for the Army’s 3 Armourer Division, as well as 7 and 8 divisions in the Northeast. The idea is to ensure a better coordination of air efforts with ground operations.”