54th anniversary: Nigerian Air Force wings 9 engineering/armament personnel
- Activities to mark the 54th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) started today, Friday, May 4
- Nine engineering/armament personnel of the NAF were winged as part of the anniversary activities
- Prominent among them is the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya
Nine engineering/armament personnel of the Nigerian Air Force were winged today, Friday, May 4, as part of activities marking the Service 54th anniversary.
In a brief ceremony at the Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna, the newly decorated officers were hailed for their contributions to the successes of the NAF.
Among those decorated is the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya.
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Speaking at the event, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Saddique Baba Abubakar, announced that the NAF aircraft engineering and armaments facilities will be re-positioned in line with global best practices.
He said: “A board of officers was constituted to categorise engineering and armament personnel according to their skills to enhance career planning and maximize productivity. The board recommended three categories, namely; basic, intermediate and senior levels based on knowledge and experience.
“Today, we are opening a new chapter in the history of NAF aircraft and armament engineering specialties with the official launching of the aircraft engineering wing as a mark of recognition for personnel in the different categories.
“Personnel are hereby authorized to wear the appropriate wings for their category as part of the approved dress code for NAF aircraft maintenance and armament engineers.”
Legit.ng gathered that the board recommended 42 personnel for the senior category. The personnel in the category are to wear half wing with red laurels while the 66 others in the intermediate category are to wear half wing with blue laurels.
At the moment, there are a total of 216 personnel who are qualified to wear aircraft and armament engineering wings. Commissioned officers are to wear golden half wing while non-commissioned officers are to wear silver half wing.
The categorization of NAF engineering and armament personnel is to be reviewed annually.
Since assumption of office, the Abubakar-led administration has accorded high priority to the development of aircraft and armament engineering infrastructure and manpower to be at par with internationally acclaimed standards.
The NAF leadership has consistently focused on human capacity development which is geared towards producing knowledgeable and skilled manpower that can respond effectively to modern volatile, complet and ambiguous security environment.
“Technology plays an important role in the planning and conduct of modern military operation and the ability to shape the battle space goes beyond the mere acquisition of military hardware.
“It is therefore incumbent on us to strive for self-reliance by developing appropriate technology required to enhance our operational effectiveness,” the CAS said.
The NAF in the last years has trained over 288 officers and airmen/airwomen overseas in different fields of aircraft and armament engineering.
The leadership have also been ensuring that NAF engineering/armament units are appropriately equipped to carry out their assigned roles.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Air Force acquires new airplanes from Pakistan military
Earlier this year, 11 young officers were on Wednesday, January 17, winged by the NAF.
The officers successfully qualified at 401 Flying Training School in Kaduna in November 2016 and were later sent to Westline Aviation School where they commenced their course from January 16, 2017 to December 16, 2017.
Nigerian Air Force winged 10 flying officers - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
