NAF graduates 30 new helicopter pilots in Enugu

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, on Wednesday, charged 30 newly graduated helicopter pilots of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to rise to the demands of modern warfare by embracing continuous learning, teamwork, and the highest standards of professionalism in their service to the nation

This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Service Air, Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

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According to the statement, the CAS stated this while speaking during the Combined Graduation Ceremony of the Integrated Helicopter Pilot Course 9/2024 and Airline Transport Pilot Licence Course 2/2025 held at the International Helicopter Flying School (IHFS), Enugu.

It stated that the CAS who was represented at the occasion by Air Vice Marshal Edosa, congratulated the pilots for their achievements and reminded them that the graduation marked the commencement of a special journey in their careers.

According to him, “You are stepping into a dynamic and complex operational environment, the threats to our national security are multifaceted and constantly evolving. Your success will depend not only on the flying skills you have acquired but also on your ability, to adapt, collaborate, and operate as part of a coordinated joint force.”

He called on the new pilots to wear their wings with humility and a deep sense of responsibility, stressing that they carry the hopes of a nation and the trust of a service that remains a pillar of peace and stability.

The statement further explained that the graduation also marked a significant milestone for IHFS with the commissioning of its newly renovated aircraft hangar, a critical infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving maintenance capabilities and operational readiness.

It added that the CAS emphasized that the hangar was one of several ongoing projects, including a new school headquarters and 36 units of student accommodation, which demonstrated the NAF’s commitment to transforming IHFS into a global standard for helicopter training.

According to him, “the Nigerian Air Force is not only training pilots, “we are building a self-reliant, mission-oriented, and resilient force capable of meeting the airpower demands of today’s battle space.”

The ceremony also featured the graduation of IHFS flight instructors who completed their Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) training, along with promotions for several instructors, reflecting the school’s growing instructional capacity and adherence to global best practices.

The CAS reaffirmed that IHFS remains a cornerstone of his command philosophy, which prioritizes deliberate training, human capacity development, and infrastructure-driven operational excellence.

He further acknowledged the efforts of the Rector and instructional team at IHFS, applauding their professionalism and dedication to producing world-class pilots.

It further added that the Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited, along with the School’s Board of Directors, also received praises for their oversight and strategic support, saying that the combined ceremony marked not just the celebration of pilot proficiency but the unveiling of a broader strategic vision for rotary-wing aviation in Nigeria’s evolving security architecture.