By Victor Akaa
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken a significant leap forward in its pursuit of aviation excellence, with the commissioning of new runway lights and airfield facilities on Friday, at the Kaduna Military Airfield by the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar. According to NAF Spokesperson Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet in a statement, the upgrade enhances safety protocols, bolsters operational efficiency, and revolutionizes pilots’ training creating a new era in aviation standards.
In his remarks at the brief ceremony for the commissioning of the runway lights, the CAS expressed profound pride and joy at witnessing the airfield’s transformation, despite previous attempts to modernize it. He highlighted the airfield’s strategic importance, stating that the Kaduna Military Airfield, located within the NAF Base Kaduna, has been a major military stronghold since the Nigerian Civil War, hosting major operational units.
According to the CAS, “the inauguration of the new facilities will help eliminate challenges experienced during night flying operations and flying in low-visibility conditions which hinder sortie rates and achievements of objectives.”
The CAS also commissioned the Base Defence Coordination Centre and the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Workshop, demonstrating the NAF’s unwavering commitment to meeting Nigeria’s defence and security needs.
Enugu Reporters reports that the upgraded facilities will eliminate challenges experienced during night flying operations and enable increased sortie rates and seamless day and night operations against adversaries.
The CAS expressed profound pride and joy at witnessing the airfield’s transformation, despite previous attempts to modernize it.
He highlighted the airfield’s strategic importance, stating that the Kaduna Military Airfield, located within the NAF Base Kaduna, has been a major military stronghold since the Nigerian Civil War, hosting major operational units.
The CAS assured Nigerians of a marked difference in the fight against terrorism and criminality in the Northwest and beyond, praising the dedication of NAF engineers, technicians, and support staff who worked on the project. He also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visionary leadership, which has inspired transformative advancements in the NAF and national development.
“With these upgrades, the NAF will experience a significant boost in agility, enabling increased sortie rates and seamless day and night operations against adversaries. Moreover, our resilience will be enhanced, allowing us to quickly recover from adverse weather conditions and fulfil national security requirements more effectively, “he added.
