The Nigerian Air Force has between July and October 2015 conducted a total of 1448 air sorties in support of the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the North East and also deployed over 300 ground troops from its special forces to fight along with the Nigerian Army in the field. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed this on Wednesday when he received in audience officials of the Centre for Crisis Communication led by the Executive Director, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd) who paid him courtesy visit in his office. The Air Force, he said, is doing everything possible to see how peace can be restored in the troubled areas as soon as possible.
According to the Air Marshal, the air component is fully integrated in the on-going counter insurgency operational plans using several of its platforms such as F-7NI, Alpha Jet, C-130 AC, Augusta 109 LUH, Mi-35, Mi-24, Mi-17, Supa Puma Helicopters, among others to carryout logistics support, reconnaissance and combat operations. “Where ever the army is going in the battle field, we give them the air support, provide intelligence and clear the ground for them to operate optimally. There are challenges no doubt but God willing, we will meet the expectations of the people and the deadline given by the Commander-in-Chief”, he stated.
Air Mashal Abubakar expressed his appreciation to the Centre for the important job it is doing in trying to streamline and harmonise crisis information in the country for effectiveness noting that information management is critical to success or otherwise of military operations especially the counter insurgency operation currently being executed by the Nigerian Armed Forces. “If you manage information well, you kill the morale of the enemies”, he opined. He disclosed further that NAF has embarked on a number of quick impact projects in the North East aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people. In this regard, he stated that the NAF has provided a Level 11 hospital in Maiduguri with adequate airforce medical personnel and facilities including a medical laboratory and a surgical theater. He added that the Service has sunk boreholes providing about 50, 000 liters of capacity over-head tanks, constructed toilet facilities and provided shelters for internally displaced persons in the north east.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd) briefed the Chief of Air Staff on the mandates of the Centre and commended the efforts of the NAF in the North East. Ana also used the opportunity to condole the Service on the ill-fated crash of its airplanes and commiserates with the airforce and families of the pilots that lost their lives in the air crashes in the course of the on-going operations. He assured the CAS of the Centre’s willingness to partner its information department to bring to public knowledge the various efforts and sacrifices of the Nigerian Air Force.
Executive Secretary of CCC, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (l) presenting documents to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
