Photo: CAS, COAS, others at the buffet
Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, CAF, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, says collaborative efforts between the NAF and sister agencies enhances operational effectiveness, while also minimizing the threats posed by insurgents.
Amao stated this in Maiduguri on Tuesday while celebrating the Eid-el-Kabir festival at a buffet with Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, senior personnel of the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, the joint armed forces fighting the Boko Haram terrorism in the North Eastern part of the country, and frontline troops in what is regarded as a clear and significant demonstration of unity and the spirit of camaraderie among the ranks of the armed forces.
A statement issued by NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the Chief of Air Staff said that the occasion was an opportunity to bond with frontline troops and promote comradeship and regimentation in the service.
It further said the CAS noted that the buffet also provided an opportunity to remember colleagues who had paid the supreme price in the service of the fatherland.
“Air Marshal Amao went on to state that the security threats currently facing the nation and the challenges therein required the emplacement of a robust security architecture capable of rapid employment of airpower in all spectrums of warfare.
“The paradigm shift in the way air warfare is waged in the fulfillment of mission objectives necessitates a highly versatile Air Force capable of executing a wide range of airpower roles across multiple Theatres of Operation to deal with these security threats.
“He also took note of the collaborative efforts between the NAF and sister agencies which have enhanced operational effectiveness, while also minimizing the threats posed by insurgents.
“He then assured the gathering that the NAF will continue to foster synergy with sister agencies, whilst leveraging each other’s capabilities to secure the nation,” the statement added.
The statement further said that the CAS said that he was proud of the NAF officers, airmen and airwomen participating in Internal Security operations in different parts of the country, and added that NAF, through the Air Component of OPHK, will continue to perform critical roles in providing the much-needed air support for the effective conduct of ground operations by the land component.
It said that the CAS singled out the daring survival instincts of Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo an applauded him for successfully ejecting from an Alpha-Jet which eventually crashed in Zamfara on Sunday, and commended the NAF and army personnel who located the crash site for the eventual rescue of the gallant soldier.
“Speaking during the dinner, the COAS, Lt Gen Yahaya commended the personnel for their dedication and commitment to counter-insurgency operations. He went down the memory lane to recall his days as the Theatre Commander of OPHK where he enjoyed unfettered access to all the platforms and facilities under the Air Component Commander, while expressing gladness that the cooperation between the Land and Air Component have continued even after his tenure.
“Lt Gen Yahaya also singled out the air power characteristics of speed and reach which, when combined with the Army’s ability to hold ground as critical to bringing the current security challenges to a halt.
“In eulogizing Air Marshal Amao, the COAS stated that his inspirational leadership style is a major factor to the high level of motivation among NAF personnel.
He went on to commend the Air Component Commander and his staff for their commitment and contributions towards ensuring that peace and stability is restored to all parts of the Northeast,” it said.
Gabkwet added that the CAS and COAS also paid a courtesy visit on Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, who praised the service chiefs for the synergy which they brought to the battle against insurgents and urged them to sustain the momentum.