The exceptional contributions of theNigerianAir Force (NAF)in the on-going Internal Security (IS) Operations (Ops) in the countrytowards the defeat of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, cattle rustlers in the North West and militancy in the Niger Delta region has been beyond belief. This is even more surprising considering the many challenges of the Federal Government (FG) as a result of economicdownturnand unwillingness of many foreign nations to sell weapons andaircraft to Nigeria that would have adequately equipped theNAF. One therefore wonders, how is theNAFable to achieve thislevel of commendable contributions in the various IS Opsin the country.Theairforceis undoubtedly one of the strong reasons behind the successesin the on-goingIS Ops.While my curiosity to know the strength behind these remarkable contributions by the air forcebecame compelling,it was applaudable to discover that the strength and will behindNAFvarious achievements under its present leadership stems from the Vision of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air MarshalSadiqueBabaAbubakar. Under his administration, apart fromNAFsterling performances inoperations there has beenmassive development offacility projects in almost alltheNAFunitsin the country.Aservingsenior officer whomI spoke with,under strict condition ofanonymitygave me a convincing insight into the visionof the CAS which provides a pragmatic roadmap for the force to achieve itsstatutory objectives. According to him, theVisionseeks toreposition theNAF, developprofessionalism, instildiscipline andencouragecapacity building. The vision is anchored on key drivers which emphasised research and development; self-reliance; prudent management of resources, inter-service cooperation; equipment serviceability; values of integrity and excellence. The overall objective was toensure effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigerias national security imperatives.As part of moves to step-up the fight against terrorism and insurgency, theNAFhas successfully reactivated 13 airplanes, which were hitherto not flying. During his interaction with Online Editors and Correspondents, recently in Abuja atNAFConference Centre, the chief of Air Staff confirmed that all the reactivated platforms are serviceable and have been deployed to the operational areas.The urgent need in recent times to commit allNAFavailable platforms to OPERATIONLAFIYADOLE to enhance the success of the counter insurgency operation necessitated the Service to look inwardandseek waysof achieving itsdrive for self-reliance through research and development.TheNAFhad earlier, locallyreconfigured andweaponised3 Alpha Jetsfor combat roles.The 3 Alpha Jets were acquired by previous administrations without weapon delivery capability at the heat of the Boko Haram insurgency.However, subsequent efforts to contract foreign vendors to re-militarise the aircraft proved abortive. The challenge toweaponisethese Alpha Jets to beef upNAFoperational capacity in the fight against Boko HaramchallengedtheNAFto look inward for solution locally by assembling a team of engineers and technicians designatedNAFTechnical Response Team comprising serving and retiredNAFpersonnel.The team successfully reconfigured andweaponisedthe Alpha Jets. The platforms have since been deployed forcombat roles.This feat is a major research and development breakthrough for theNAFand the nation as a huge foreign exchange saver. This, to say the least, is remarkable as the nation would have paid through the nose to do same abroad.The various contributions of theNAFunder its present leadership in the ongoing military campaign in the North East is worthy ofcontinuousmentioning. Thesustained air offensive being carried outby theNAFhave createdtheenabling environment for the ground forces to be able to operate with little or no hindrances.Presently, theNAFsupport to the ongoing OPERATIONRESCUE FINALE in the North East through its various air offensive activities have paved way for the ground troop to advance deeper into theSambisaforest.Besides fighting insurgency, the air force has also reached out to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as part of the Services strategy of Winning Hearts and Minds(WHM). TheNAFrecently through theNigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA)distributed several relief materials as well asN7mcash donation to theIDPsinBornoState.The relief materials and cash werevoluntary contributions/donationsby officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force to supporttheIDPsin the North East. TheNAFthrough itsWHMstrategyhas besides the distribution of relief materials toIDPshave providedmedicareto over 200,000IDPsby regularly conducting medical outreaches toIDPCamps in Yola, Abuja, Maiduguri andBama. Additionally, theNAFhas established Emergency field hospitals inDaoriandBamaIDPcamps and contributed to the upgrade of the state clinic inMaikohiIDPcamp in Yola, Adamawa State.These hospitals, according torealiblesources from the air forcehave so far treated well over 25,000IDPs.The humanitarian support of theNAFto theIDPsunderscored the Chief of Air Staffscommitment and concern to the welfare of theIDPsas well as the need to totally defeat the terrorists to ensure theIDPsreturn to their communities andlive their normal lives.ThePresidency, inrecognition of the role of theNAFin the war against terror and insurgency,recentlyhanded overtwoHelicopters withballistic defencecapability,from its fleet to the force as impetustotheNAFsgreatoffensive contributions in the military campaign againstterror.TheHelicopters, according to the CAS were to be reconfigured one as air ambulance and the other as troop carrier for operational deployment.Apart from its massive contributions in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East, theAir Component of OPERATION DELTA SAFE has been actively involved in the ongoing joint military operations to curb pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, armed banditry and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.TheNigerian Air Forceeffective deployment of its air assets against the atrocious perpetratorshas greatly degraded their capabilities.The Componenthasdestroyed a number of illegal refineries and oil barges carrying stolen petroleum products, in addition to undertaking aerial surveillance missions to provide intelligence for the operations of the surface forces. These are aimed at protecting the lives and property of the citizenry as well as safeguardingthe nations oil facilities in the region.Similarly, theNAFunder the leadership ofAirMshlSadiqueAbubakarhas been undertaking series of air operations including surveillance and strike missions to support OPERATIONSHARANDAJIthat was set up to tackle themenaceof cattle rustlingand other forms of IS challengesin the North West.The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal SBAbubakarhas demonstrated incredible knowledge on how best his personnel are motivated for excellent performance andprofessionalism. He has ensured the sustainability of training and retraining ofNAFpersonnel within and outside the country in various specialties and trades. He has alsoadequetlyenhanced the morale of personnel through the provision of descent accommodationin allNAFunits as essential ingredients for success and renovation/building of new offices, thus providing conducive environment for job performance.Only recently theNAFwascommended for its efforts in fighting Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastand cattle rustling in the North West. Thislatest commendation came from the Executive Governor ofZamfaraState, His Excellency,AlhAbdulazizAbubakarYariduring his courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff at Headquarters, Nigerian Air ForceMany more are in sight for the air force even as 4 new trainer aircraft, SuperMushshakreceived from Pakistani air force and inducted intoNAFaircraft inventory will undoubtedly boost pilot training for theNAF. At the induction ceremony inNAFBase Kaduna, Air MarshalSadiqueAbukardisclosed that the Federal Government has approved procurement ofmorewar planes from Pakistan to enhance operations of the air force against the Boko Haram terrorists.It is reliably learnt that the trainer aircraft,SuperMushshakisa rugged and has the capability to perform both basic and advanced aerobatics at the ab-initio stage of military flying training, which is an essential criterion for producing seasoned combat pilots.While the Nigerian Air Force, under the leadership of current Chief of Air Staff hasrecordedunprecedentedachievementsmore thanany former CASin the key areas of training, aircraft reactivation and enhancement of personnel welfare, the zeal to do more seems to be Air MarshalAbubakarsnumber one priority.For the air force boss, there is no finishing line in the race to add value to the Nigerian society and secure communities.There is no gain saying that the recent anti-terrorism operation simulation, codenamed OPERATION THUNDERBOLTconducted by theNAFat theMuritalaMuhammedInternational AirportIkeja. The simulation exercise convinced the generality of Nigerians that the Nation has the capacity through theNAFto counter terror attacks at its airports.As at the time of writing this piece, it was reliablygatheredfrom highly dependable but undisclosed sources that the Chief of Air Staff, Air MarshalSadiqueAbubakaris out of the country on official visit for collaboration with some foreign air forces for the benefits of making theNAFone of the best fighting forces in Africa. It is imperative to therefore state that if the present quality ofNAFleadership is keptunwavered, theNAFwill surely enable the total defeat of Boko Haram in the North East, cattle rustling in the North West andpipeline vandalism/illegal bunkeringand other forms of criminalitiesin the Niger Delta region. The end of Boko Haram is in sight as long as theNAFremains able, willing and ready to uphold its statutory responsibilities.>-Kwagga wrote in from Abuja
Click here to read full news..
