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From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday in Enugu winged 17 Helicopter Pilots, bringing to 36, the number of pilots winged within the last one year by the Force.
Of the 17 pilots who were winged, 16 were members of Course 7/2021 of the Integrated Helicopter Pilot Course at the International Helicopter Flying School Enugu, while one underwent his flying training at the Helicopter Training School, India.
At the winging ceremony which took place at 405 HCTG Crew Room NAF Base, Emene, Enugu State, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, emphasized the need for human capacity development.
Amao, who was represented by the NAF Chief of Policy and Planning, AVM Jackson Yusuf, stated that of the resources available to a leader, the human resource was the most important as it drives all other resources pursuant to the attainment of set objectives.
He said that the desire for excellence in NAF was even more compelling in the face of current and perceived future national security challenges hence it would continue to invest in human capacity building.
The CAS disclosed that NAF personnel of varying specialties were undergoing training in India, United Kingdom, South Africa, USA, Pakistan and Belgium among other countries adding that the training efforts were intended to “situate the NAF in a dominant position to deliver on its constitutional role especially in the light of our involvement in several counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations across the Country.
“Apart from those currently undergoing pilot trainings overseas, at least 10 additional student pilots and six pilots are scheduled to resume IHFS by January next year for Pilot and Instructor Pilot’s trainings respectively. All our other pilots’ training institutions are operating at optimum capacity, with 103 student pilots at various stages of training. These are aside the Unmanned Aerial System training and various platforms conversion and pilots upgrade training.”
Amao said that 70 NAF personnel were undergoing training overseas while 2,302 personnel were undergoing various local training, adding that with the winging of the 17 pilots yesterday, NAF would have winged a total of 36 pilots within the last one year.
He said, “I am proud to state that the NAF is looking forward to receiving the value that these pilots would undoubtedly add to our operations,” stressing that training and retraining of personnel for improved operational effectiveness was important because of Federal Government’s determination in acquiring the best state of the art weaponry to enable the Armed Forces of Nigeria combat the numerous security issues nationwide.
The CAS congratulated the young pilots who have just received the enviable wing and especially Fg Offr Godwin Ogiri who graduated as the Best in Flying during his training at the Air Force Station in India, stating that NAF is proud of them and hoped that the experience acquired during their training would complement NAF operations.
He implored them to be prepared for the arduous task ahead of them as they fit into the operational flying environment, warning that a lot of discipline, hard work, diligence, humility, loyalty and result oriented mindset were required to succeed in the profession and in joint respond.
The Air Chief thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for graciously enabling them to effectively discharge their constitutional mandate professionally and responsibly.
Earlier, the Commander, 405 HCTG, Enugu, Wing Commander Ayodeji Omokunga, said the 17 pilots undertook the Integrated Professional Helicopter Course at the IHFS, which was designed to produce pilots with NCAA Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument ratings and Night Flying privileges.
“In the course of their training each of the pilots flew about 130 hrs and cumulatively an average of 2000 hours for all the pilots. It is therefore gladdening to state that, from here, these pilots will join the ranks of the elite Nigerian Air Force pilots conducting high priority missions aimed at achieving the mandate of the NAF.
“These pilots to be winged today, were not only trained as professional pilots with civil licences, they are also combat ready with capabilities of conducting specialized operations. Thus, on completion of the Civil phase of the training, they continued with Advanced Training, equipping them with knowledge and skills to conduct combat missions and specialized operations. A content that is mostly not ‘available in other helicopter training institutions. This Advanced Training comprises of tactical flying and Specialized Operations training. It is therefore important to state that they have already completed the specialized operations training and would immediately commence the Tactical phase.”
Highlight of the event was awards presented to outstanding newly winged Helicopter Pilots that performed exceptionally during the training.
