The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Oladayo Amao, has charged the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE (OPLD) to sustain the onslaught against Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT)/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements in the North East of the Country, working in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, in order to ensure total defeat of the terrorists.
The CAS gave this charge on 8th February 2021, while addressing personnel during his maiden operational visit to the ATF Headquarters in Maiduguri and the 171 Nigerian Air Force Detachment (171 NAF Det) in Monguno to assess the conduct of the Counter-Insurgency Operation as well as inspect facilities and ongoing projects.
The CAS, who arrived Maiduguri from Abuja in company of his counterpart, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, commended the ATF for the recent successes recorded in the renewed offensive by the Land and Air Components of OPLD, while stating that the NAF Headquarters would continue to provide all necessary support to ensure “the sustenance of critical airpower capabilities required for joint force employment in pursuit of national security imperatives”.
In his address, the CAS, who was earlier given an update on the conduct of the ATF’s operations by the Commander ATF OPLD, Air Commodore Abubakar Abdulkadir, conveyed the appreciation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (C-in-C), President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), Major General Bashir Magashi (retired), to the personnel for their relentless efforts in the fight against insurgency. He equally thanked the personnel for the prayers and congratulatory messages that followed his appointment as CAS.
While expressing appreciation to the C-in-C for considering him worthy of the appointment, AVM Amao also highlighted that, while the C-in-C commended the armed forces personnel operating in the North East Theatre for their efforts, the C-in-C, and indeed the HMOD, had stated emphatically that much more needed to be done.
He noted that Mr President had given the Chief of Defence Staff, along with the Service Chiefs, the onerous task of bringing the war against insurgency to a decisive end in order to restore normalcy to all troubled parts of the Country.
He disclosed that they had already begun to take action in this regard, holding several meetings to evolve strategies for better synergy in the joint operations. The CAS therefore charged all personnel to do their own bit towards the attainment of this noble objective.
Speaking further, AVM Amao disclosed that in line with the C-in-C’s mandate as well as the HMOD’s strategic guidance, he had crafted his Vision for the Service, which he disclosed, is “to enhance and sustain critical airpower capabilities required for joint force employment in pursuit of national security imperatives.”
He further disclosed that the Vision is hinged on 5 Key Drivers, which include: ‘focus on doctrinal development and application of airpower in Joint military operations’; ‘pursuit of purposeful training and human capacity development’ as well as
‘sustenance of platforms and equipment serviceability through innovative maintenance methods and logistics support systems’. He highlighted that the other key drivers are ‘fostering a disciplined workforce essential for combat readiness’ and ‘bolstering morale by improving personnel welfare’.
Elaborating further, the CAS noted that the focus on joint doctrinal development was premised on the fact that new ways of doing things needed to be evolved in order to achieve better, longer-lasting results.
He added that, in terms of pursuing purposeful training and human capacity development, the Service would sustain and build on the capacity building initiatives of his predecessor, whilst ensuring that training is robust and balanced with regard to quality and quantity. AVM Amao also emphasized that, in sustaining platforms’ serviceability, the Service would continue to leverage on the acquisition of new platforms, whilst ensuring effective maintenance of existing ones.
In this regard, the CAS noted that, in addition to the 23 brand new aircraft acquired for the Service by the Federal Government, 15 additional new manned aircraft – 12 A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft and 3 JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter jets – as well as 8 new Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) were also being expected. He noted that these additional new aircraft would undoubtedly add considerable value to operations within the North East and other Operational Theatres.
Regarding welfare issues, AVM Amao disclosed that, in line with the C-in-C’s mandate to ensure adequate welfare for all personnel, his Administration would give priority attention to the welfare needs of personnel, especially in the areas of provision of equipment, uniforms and kits; prompt payment of appropriate allowances as well as provision of residential accommodation, while in Service, and post-Service housing, for those preparing for retirement.
The CAS further commended the ATF Commander as well as his officers, airmen and airwomen for their hard work and dedication to duty which, he said, was evident in the intensive rate of effort, with missions being conducted day and night to attack terrorists’ targets as well as provide support to ground troops, whenever required. He emphasized that the existing synergy with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies must be strengthened to ensure total victory.
The CAS also entertained questions and received feedback as well as suggestions from the personnel on how to move the Service forward for more robust joint force employment.
In Munguno, the CAS was received by the Commander Sector 3 OPLD/Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Sunday Igbinomwahia, along with his Commanders and Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), before proceeding to HQ 171 NAF Det, where he was briefed on the activities of the Unit by its Commander, Squadron Leader Mohammed Halilu.
As in Maiduguri, the CAS also commended the personnel for their crucial contributions in the fight against insurgency, urging them to sustain the high level of professionalism in the performance of their duties.
The CAS was accompanied on the visit by the NAF Chief of Training and Operations, AVM James Gwani; Chief of Aircraft Engineering, AVM Musibau Olatunji; Chief of Logistics, AVM Mohammed Yakubu; Chief of Communication Information Systems, AVM Kurotimi Obidake; Chief of Air Intelligence, Air Commodore Friday Ogohi; as well as Directors from HQ NAF.