The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reorganized air component of the counter insurgency war in the north-eastern part of the country tagged ‘Operation Lafiya Dole.’
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar stated this yesterday at the CAS Fourth Quarter Conference 2017 in Abuja.
He said the NAF air operations in the Northeast has been reorganized for increased efficiency, adding that the Air Component Commander has been replaced with a Commander Air Task Force, an Air Vice Marshal, who reports to the Theatre Commander.
He said the NAF appointed three Divisional Air Liaison Officers (DALO) for the Nigerian Army’s 3 Armourer Div, as well as 7 and 8 Divisions of the Nigerian Army in the Northeast.
He explained that the reorganization is to ensure a better coordination of air efforts with ground operations, adding that the NAF also appointed an Air Liaison Officer for the Theatre Command to further limit the possibility of gaps in operations.
He said about 24 pilots had completed their training and deployed for operational duties, adding that a female pilot, for the first time in the history of the NAF, was on the way to the United States Air Force for training as a fighter pilot.
He said she graduated as the overall best pilot during initial training at 401 Flying Training School Kaduna.
Abubakar also said 5 combat helicopters are being added to the NAF counter insurgency efforts.
