NAF data over 6,100 flying hours, 2,900 sorties underneath Aneke

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded vital operational, personnel, coaching, infrastructure and drive modernisation milestones underneath the management of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, as he approaches his first anniversary in workplace on 30 October 2026.

Guided by his command philosophy of sustaining a extremely motivated, skilled and mission-ready drive able to delivering decisive airpower results in synergy with floor forces, the Service has pursued a targeted transformation agenda anchored on operational effectiveness, personnel welfare, technological development and institutional accountability.

A press release Sunday Director of Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed that between November 2025 and September 2026, the NAF recorded over 6,100 flying hours and greater than 2,900 sorties, consuming near 10 million litres of Jet A-1 gasoline in assist of nationwide safety operations.

He stated these missions encompassed precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance, shut air assist and different duties designed to degrade hostile components, disrupt their freedom of motion and improve the effectiveness of floor forces.

“Central to this effort has been intelligence-led mission planning, with operations guided by actionable intelligence, outlined aims and assessments of mission outcomes. The emphasis stays on making certain that each sortie serves a transparent operational goal and contributes meaningfully to nationwide safety.

He stated recognising personnel because the Service’s most useful asset, Air Marshal Aneke has positioned welfare on the coronary heart of his management philosophy, encapsulated within the precept of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare.”

He this method recognises that adequately supported, professionally developed and extremely motivated personnel are important to sustained operational effectiveness.

“Accordingly, the Service has pursued enhancements in personnel allowances and medical assist, alongside the supply of lodging and the event of supporting infrastructure to boost dwelling and dealing circumstances throughout its formations.

“These initiatives, complemented by the reactivation of welfare airlift providers for personnel in frontline operational theatres, mirror a deliberate dedication to strengthening morale, bettering the wellbeing of personnel and their households, and enhancing readiness to discharge the NAF’s constitutional obligations of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and defending its residents.

“In additional recognition {of professional} service and profession development, 57 senior officers have been promoted to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore, whereas 1,534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1,936 non-commissioned officers superior to greater ranks. More than 550 personnel additionally participated in worldwide coaching {and professional} engagements, whereas over 6,000 obtained native coaching, strengthening specialised competencies, technical proficiency and management capability.

“The NAF has equally superior efforts to modernise its fleet and enhance plane availability. In September 2026, the Service obtained 5 extra helicopters comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters, increasing its operational flexibility and assist capability.

“Beyond these deliveries, the Service is pursuing a broader acquisition programme that features 12 AH-1Z assault helicopters and different deliberate plane and unmanned aerial methods meant to strengthen airlift, fight, coaching, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Maintenance and fleet regeneration efforts have additionally progressed, together with the reactivation and improve of six L-39ZA plane in Slovakia and Nigeria, in addition to the continuing Periodic Depot Maintenance of a C-130 plane in Portugal.

“These efforts complement investments in technical support, indigenous upgrades and emerging aviation technologies,” he stated.

He famous that Safety, accountability and accountable airpower employment have remained vital pillars of the transformation agenda.

“The institution of an Operational and Safety Audit Committee is meant to assist unbiased assessments of operational, engineering and armament items, whereas a strengthened Safety Management System promotes management engagement, proactive danger administration and a data-driven security tradition.

“The Service is also advancing Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response through dedicated structures, standardised training, and enhanced assessment and investigation capabilities. Plans to establish an Open-Source Intelligence Centre further reflect the drive to improve situational awareness and operational planning through better exploitation of available information and emerging technologies, ” he added.