The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday in Lagos conducted a simulation exercise aimed at building capacity and enhancing professionalism in the service.
Newsmen report that the exercise, code named: Ex-Omo Oloja, was flagged off by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin.
Speaking during the exercise, Olonisakin said the present administration made re-equipping and continuous training of the Armed Forces top priority to better cope with the country’s current security challenges.
“Our profound appreciation goes to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, for his unflinching support and encouragement to the Armed Forces,” he said.
In his remark, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said similar exercises were being planned in all the NAF commands.
Abubakar said that the fastest means of tactical mobility was through the use of aircraft.
“A critical importance of air logistics support was amply demonstrated in 2017 when the NAF contained the development of an ugly situation in Alagarno.
“The situation was contained through supply of drinking water by helicopters to ground troops who had been cut off behind enemy lines,” he said.
Abubakar said exercises such as this would undoubtedly reposition the service towards addressing present and future security challenges not only in the country, but also within the West African sub-region.
Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ekeh, said that the simulation exercise was designed to train NAF personnel in the conduct of medium scale airlift operations.
“It will enable participants have practical experience on the steps to be taken in carrying out medium scale airlift operations and carry out protection of essential facilities during the airlift,” he said.
Present at the simulation exercise were top military officers.
