Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), has charged troops of Operation GAMA AIKI (OPGA) and personnel of the 013 Quick Response Force (013 QRF), Minna, Niger State, to maintain the pace of operations and fight gallantly until insurgents, armed bandits, and all other criminal elements are completely eliminated and peace is restored to the State and all other troubled parts of the country.
While celebrating Christmas with the troops of the OPGA’s Air Component in Minna, Air Marshal Amao gave the charge.
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The CAS, represented by Air Commodore Sunday Aneke, Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters NAF, noted that the lunch provided an opportunity for the NAF to remember the sacrifices of fallen heroes who have paid the ultimate price in the service of the country.
According to him, the country’s security threats and the challenges they pose to achieving national development goals necessitate the establishment of a robust security architecture capable of rapidly employing airpower across the entire spectrum of warfare.
According to him, the NAF has continued to bravely confront various security threats while recording tangible results in various theaters of operations, working in tandem with sister services and other security agencies.
“As a result, I must state that I am proud of all of our officers, airmen, and airwomen who are participating in Internal Security operations across the country.”
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While thanking President Muhammadu Buhari, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his continued support to the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the NAF, the CAS stated that the AC OPGA has continued to play critical roles in providing much-needed air support for the Land Component’s effective conduct of ground operations.
According to him, air operations have played a critical role in limiting terrorist activities and denying them freedom of action.
“It’s encouraging to see that the NAF’s operational manpower development has gotten a boost recently, with the winging of 26 new pilots and 31 operators since my appointment.” In a similar vein, I am pleased to report that we currently have 195 officers, airmen, and airwomen undergoing various training courses abroad, spanning a variety of specialties and trades.
Furthermore, 12 student pilots are undergoing Basic Fighter Training at Kano’s 403 Flying Training School, while another 12 are undergoing Basic Transport Training at Kaduna’s 401 Flying Training School.
“These courses are designed to maintain combat readiness by increasing the number of pilots available to man our ever-growing inventory of aircraft,” he explained.
Group Captain Elisha Bindul, Commander 103 QRF, stated in his remarks that the presence of CAS during festive periods remained a huge source of motivation and evidence of his commitment to the welfare and morale of OPGA troops.
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According to Group Captain Bindul, such visits demonstrated the CAS’s innate desire to provide a sense of belonging to the troops, who are spending the holiday season on the frontlines and away from their families.
The Commander reassured him of their firm commitment to continue the fight against all forms of criminality in Niger State and the North West in general, while thanking the CAS for meeting all of their welfare demands.
These types of visits and interactions allow soldiers to bond with one another while also promoting esprit de corps, comradeship, and regimentation.
