Joy Anyim
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal 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.
The CAS gave the charge 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
He urged the operatives to continue to work in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, to ensure total defeat of the terrorists.
Security Watch Africa reports that the CAS was in company of his counterpart, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, who also commended the ATF for the recent successes recorded in the renewed offensive by the Land and Air Components of OPLD.
Amao stated that 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.
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He noted that the 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.”
The CAS noted that aside 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.