By Musa Umar Bologi
Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force has reorganised its air combat structure in the North-east for increased operational efficiency as it strategises for a final onslaught against the dreaded Boko Haram.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this during his opening remarks at the CAS Fourth Quarter Conference, which commenced at NAF Headquarters yesterday.
According to the CAS, the Air Component Commander has been replaced with a Commander Air Task Force (CATF), an Air Vice Marshal (a 2-star General), who reports to the overall Theatre Commander.
The new CATF is Idi Lubo, who was serving as the Air Component Commander. The NAF has also appointed three Divisional Air Liaison Officers (DALO) for the 3 Armoured Division as well as 7 and 8 Divisions of the Nigerian Army in the North-east, to ensure better coordination of air efforts with ground operations.
Besides, the NAF has appointed an Air Liaison Officer for the Theatre Command to further limit the possibility of gaps in operations.
Abubakar further stated that a Nigerian female pilot, for the first time in the history of NAF, was on the way to the United States Air Force for training as a fighter pilot. The female pilot had earlier this year graduated as the overall best pilot during ab-initio training at 401 Flying Training School, Kaduna.
In terms of progress made by the NAF in the preceding 3 months, the CAS indicated that 24 pilots had completed their training and would soon be deployed for operational duties.
Moreover, the NAF had graduated the second set of participants from its Air War College in Makurdi. The new graduates are expected to add value to the service in general and in operational activities. In ending his opening remarks, the CAS enjoined the senior officers to be frank in their contributions, identify emerging challenges and proffer ways of further moving the NAF forward.
