NAF graduates combat-ready unmanned aerial vehicle operators

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated a new batch of combat-ready Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators, in a bold drive to strengthen battlespace dominance through improved precision and real-time intelligence gathering.

This was contained in a statement made available to defence correspondents in Abuja on Thursday by the Spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

The statement explained that the milestone marked by the completion of Operational Conversion Training Course 3/2024 on Thursday at 233 Wing Hangar in Kaduna underscored the NAF’s sustained drive to bolster Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations in support of ongoing counterinsurgency and internal security efforts nationwide.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, who was represented by the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Patrick Obeya, described the graduation of the unmanned aerial vehicle operators as a strategic milestone in the fight against insurgency and other asymmetric threats confronting the nation.

He said, “This is not just a ceremony; it is a reaffirmation of our resolve to dominate the battlespace through precision ISR and coordinated joint operations. These young men and women are now key players in our mission to secure Nigeria from the skies.”

Abubakar, who emphasised that the graduation underscored his vision of developing a highly skilled, agile, and mission-ready force, commended the graduands for their resilience throughout the rigorous training process and charged them to remain professional and mission-focused.

He said, “The Nigerian Air Force is counting on your competence, discipline, and sense of duty to deliver actionable intelligence and enable successful joint force operations.”

The CAS, who congratulated the new UAV operators and encouraged them to embrace innovation and continuous learning, noted that UAV warfare was fast-evolving, and operational excellence demands collaboration with engineers, intelligence analysts, and aircrew.

“As you go forward, remember that success in modern conflict requires not just flying skills, but the ability to fuse data, think strategically, and act decisively.

“As the global security landscape continues to evolve, the Nigerian Air Force’s investment in UAV capabilities reflects a forward-leaning posture toward battlefield dominance through technology and skill.

“With the graduation of this latest batch of operators, the NAF has once again demonstrated its readiness to deploy air power decisively and responsibly in defence of the nation,” he stated

The ceremony was attended by senior military officers, family members, and well-wishers, all of whom celebrated what the CAS described as “a crucial investment in national security.

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