By Victor Akaa
The awaiting dream has come to fruition as the Nigerian Army (NA) unveiled two newly acquired brand-new helicopters, marking a major milestone in the activation of its aviation capabilities. The two helicopters BELL UH-1H (HUEY) which is the first batch landed at the Nigeria Police Air Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 4:40 pm on Thursday, 20th June, 2024.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja during the occasion highlighted the significant milestone in the NA’s aviation journey, acknowledging the visionaries who dared to dream and conceptualize the initiative. The COAS traced the journey back to 2014 when the former COAS, Lieutenant General KTJ Minimah, established the NA Aviation Coordination Office with a three faced within the 10-year implementation plan.
General Lagbaja expressed gratitude to all predecessors, military personnel, government officials, and administrations since 2014, including Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Mohammadu Buhari, and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for their support and funding. The COAS also acknowledged the encouragement and support from sister services like the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian
Navy, and the Nigeria Police.
He recognized the NA’s newcomer status in aviation, expressing a commitment to learning and enhancing operational successes. The COAS thanked the National Assembly, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Chief of Defence Staff, fellow service chiefs, and all Nigerians for their support, reaffirming the NA’s dedication to serving the nation and creating an enabling environment for economic prosperity.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Nigerian Army Aviation, Brigadier General Musa Alkali, noted that the acquisition of the advanced platforms was in line with the COAS vision to transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-Trained and Highly Motivated Force towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment.
He welcomed the Army Chief and other dignitaries to the reception ceremony acknowledged the collective commitment to advancing national security and praised the tireless efforts of those involved in the project.
The new air platforms known as BELL UH-1H (HUEY) will significantly enhance the NA’s reconnaissance, surveillance, and air mobility capabilities, boosting operational effectiveness.
The Coordinator expressed the NA’s commitment to protecting and serving with honour and distinction, adding that the acquisition marks a new chapter in the NA’s operational readiness.
The ceremony highlighted the importance of continuous training and development for personnel to maximize the potential of the new assets and set new standards of excellence in military aviation.
