Create Post
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 


ONE YEAR OF DECISIVE AIRPOWER: NAF RECORDS OVER 6,100 FLYING HOURS, 2,900 SORTIES UNDER AIR MARSHAL ANEKE As the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, approaches his first anniversary in office on 30 October 2026, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded significant gains in operational effectiveness, personnel welfare, training and force modernisation. Guided by his command philosophy of sustaining a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower in synergy with surface forces, the Service recorded over 6,100 flying hours and more than 2,900 sorties between November 2025 and September 2026, consuming close to 10 million litres of Jet A-1 fuel. Missions included precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance, close air support and other intelligence-led operations aimed at degrading hostile elements, disrupting their activities and enhancing the effectiveness of surface forces. The emphasis remains on ensuring that every sortie has a defined operational purpose and contributes meaningfully to national security. Under the principle of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare,” the NAF has pursued improvements in personnel allowances, medical support, accommodation and infrastructure, alongside the reactivation of welfare airlift services for personnel in frontline theatres. Career progression saw 1,534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1,936 non-commissioned officers promoted, while more than 550 personnel participated in international training and professional engagements and over 6,000 received local training. Force modernisation advanced with the delivery of five helicopters in September 2026—three AW-109 Trekker Type B and two H125 helicopters—while plans continue for the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, other aircraft and unmanned aerial systems. The Service has also progressed the reactivation and upgrade of six L-39ZA aircraft in Slovakia and Nigeria, alongside ongoing Periodic Depot Maintenance of a C-130 aircraft in Portugal. Safety and accountability remain priorities through an Operational and Safety Audit Committee, a strengthened Safety Management System, and Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response structures, standardised training and enhanced assessment and investigation capabilities. To strengthen institutional capacity and sustain operational readiness, the NAF has approved 284 infrastructure projects, with 145 completed and 139 ongoing, covering accommodation, academic and medical facilities, operational and administrative infrastructure, roads, electricity, water supply and recreational facilities. Indigenous production initiatives include Aircraft Release Device 863 impulse release cartridges, a 250-kilogram bomb-loading trolley, and locally produced 57-millimetre rockets undergoing development and ground testing. Community healthcare, educational and other special projects have further strengthened civil-military relations and public confidence. As Air Marshal Aneke marks his first year in office, the NAF remains focused on translating investments in personnel, platforms, training, technology and infrastructure into tangible operational outcomes through stronger joint operations, strategic partnerships, improved maintenance and responsible airpower employment. The enduring commitment is to build a professional, accountable and responsive force delivering stronger airpower, safer skies and a more secure Nigeria.
789
  17 hours
 
 
 


 
 
 
 Who to follow
 
 
 
About   Topics   Advertise   Privacy Policy   Terms of Service  

© Convas8 Media Enterprise