The Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Bashir Magashi has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for the operational successes it has recorded and commitment to enhance professionalism in the application of airpower.
The Defence Minister was speaking at the Inter-Command Doctrine Penetration Competition to flag off activities marking the NAFs 59th anniversary celebration.
General Magashi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana, commended the idea behind the doctrine penetration competition, which he noted will help to the culture of air-mindedness among Nigerian Air Force personnel.
He described the theme of the NAFs 59th-anniversary celebration, “Doctrinal Imperatives for Successful NAF Air Operations,” as apt as it would address operational challenges being experienced in the field.
General Magashi stated that “To sustain NAFs achievements in the light of the daunting security challenges in the country, the Service has the onerous responsibility of continually teaching and sufficiently exposing the personnel to its operational doctrines through practice.“
He noted that “This will undoubtedly help to inculcate the tenets in the personnel, while broadening their knowledge and understanding of NAF doctrines for successful operations.”
The Defence Minister stated further that the Federal Government has committed substantial national resources to enhance the overall capabilities of the Armed Forces in a bid to address the security challenges in various parts of the country.
He, therefore, urged the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Mshl Oladayo Amao, to sustain the many achievements of the Service, while commending his innovative initiatives and transformational leadership of the NAF.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Oladayo Amao said the recent doctrinal effort by the NAF is meant to provide enduring principles for effective employment of airpower in a joint environment.
This, the Air Chief said informed the promulgation of new doctrines, and his establishment of the Air Warfare Centre to inculcate in NAF personnel the knowledge of operational doctrines.
Air Marshal Amao also disclosed of the NAF plan to establish Air Power Centre of Excellence, which on completion he would accommodate the Institute of Air Power Studies, Air War College, Air Warfare Centre and a Museum.
“The Centre of Excellence would facilitate greater understanding of national security in aerospace issues amongst the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the strategic community and the public.”
It is believed that the actualization of the objectives of the Centre would contribute to national security and improve synergy among the Armed Forces and other security agencies
PIAK
