8 MAJOR achievements of NAF in its North-East operations
- The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday, April 10 gave an update of operations conducted in the last quarter
- The air component OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE has continued to play its role in the efforts to end insurgency in the North East
- NAF has been conducting of a range of day and night air operations in the region
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday, April 10 gave an update of operations conducted in the last quarter.
The air component OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE has continued to play its role in the efforts to end insurgency in the North East, conducting of a range of day and night air operations in the region both independently and in concert with the Theatre Command, MNJTF and other partners.
The air component has been able to hinge its air operation in the theatre on the strategic direction of search, locate and destroy. This involves intensive missions conducted with the ISR platforms and then the attack platforms.
The air component’s efforts have also been evidently successful in inflicting considerable damage to the activities of insurgents, thereby limiting their freedom of action.
The air component activities in the quarter was therefore geared towards providing support for offensive/clearance operations conducted by the Theatre Command and the MNJTF as well as towards conducting independent air operations.
Legit.ng focuses on the NAF Operations in the region during the first quarter of 2017 with a view to outlining ways forward.
During the first quarter of 2017, the air component was able to conduct the following air missions:
1. Air Interdiction
Air interdiction missions were conducted by the F-7Ni, A-jets, CH-3A and the Mi17/24 to neutralize insurgents. A total of 80 AI sorties were conducted from January to March 17.
2. Close Air Support
The air component provided CAS in almost all of the instances ground troops reported being in contact with insurgents. The F-7Ni and A-jet provided CAS to the troops and flew a total of 37 sorties from January to March 17.
3. Armed Recce/Armed Escort
AR missions were conducted extensively to locate and engage opportunity targets. While AE missions were conducted to escort own platforms transiting through vulnerable areas. The F-7Ni, A-Jet and the Mi-17/24 conducted a total of 177 AR/AE sorties from Jan to Mar 17.
4. Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
The Beechcraft (NAF 201 and NAF 202) as well as the Diamond 42 aircraft and CH-3A were used to conduct ISR over the AOR. A total of 208 ISR sorties were undertaken by these platforms from January to March 17.
5. CASEVAC
CASEVAC missions were conducted using the Mi-17 and A109LUH. These missions continue to help improve the survival rates of WIA thereby positively impacting on the morale of the fighting troops. A total of 27 CASEVAC sorties were conducted from January to March 17.
6. Tactical Airlift
Troop movement/logistics resupply missions were effectively provided by the Mi-17/24 and the A109 LUH. On The whole, a total of 232 sorties were generated to airlift 686 personnel and resupply 25,567Kg of logistics within the Theatre from January to March 17.
7. Combat Air Patrol Missions
Combat Air Patrol Missions were conducted to keep an eye on activities and potential threats in the outer and inner metropolis areas of Maiduguri and Yola using the Mi-24v and A109LUH. A total of 28 sorties of patrol missions were conducted from January to March 17.
8. Auxiliary Missions
Some auxiliary missions were conducted in the Theatre such as training missions, FCF missions, aerobatic displays/demonstration flights and ferry flights. A total of 185 sorties of auxiliary missions were conducted from January to March 17.
Source: Legit.ng
