₦airaland Forum

CAPACITY BUILDING: NAF TRAINS ANOTHER BATCH OF FLIGHT NURSES, AIRCREW FOR AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION OF CRITICAL PATIENTS

In continuation of efforts to further boost the capacity of personnel for the effective and efficient conduct of Aeromedical Evacuation missions to airlift wounded soldiers from various theatres of operation as well as other critical patients to appropriate treatment facilities, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has trained another batch of flight nurses and aircrew. The graduation of the 20 nurses and 4 loadmasters took place at the NAF Base Kaduna today, 29 May 2020, after 2 weeks of intensive training that involved theoretical and practical sessions at the NAF School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine (NAFSMSAM) Kaduna as well as simulation exercises using the C-130H aircraft, configured for Aeromedical Evacuation. Specific areas covered during the 2-week training include Aerospace Physiology, Crew Resource Management, Aircrew Complements and Duties, Enplaning and Deplaning Procedures, Infection Control in Aviation, In-flight Patients Care and Aviation Safety, amongst others. The graduation ceremony featured a demonstration where the participants and crew of the NAF C-130H aircraft simulated the care and management of in-flight patients.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command (AOC ATC), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Musa Mukhtar, while expressing his satisfaction with the well-executed simulation exercise, noted that the training was in line with one of the Key Drivers of the Vision of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, which focuses on “human capacity development through robust and result-oriented training for enhanced professional performance”. He remarked that the participants had undoubtedly benefited immensely from the training. He therefore charged them to make good use of what they had learnt to add value to operations as they return to their various units. AVM Mukhtar stressed that they must also be ready to put their new skills to the test in providing services to the Nation, should the NAF be called upon to evacuate critically ill patients, as may be required in furtherance of the NAF’s constitutional role of providing military aid to civil authority. He seized the opportunity to commend the NAF Medical Services Branch for the steps it had been taking to upgrade the skills of its personnel to meet current and emergency healthcare challenges.

The highlight of the ceremony was the elaborate simulation exercise, which showcased the skills acquired by the participants in evacuating critical patients, in this case COVID-19 patients, from originating medical facility to a destination medical facility whilst ensuring effective communication between both facilities and providing en-route medical care with specialized on-board life support equipment, including patient monitors and ventilators. The participants were therefore appropriately kitted in their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and all personnel as well as the aircraft and surrounding areas were decontaminated at the points of departure and arrival, while the entire area was cordoned off. The exercise also demonstrated the intricate patients’ handover and takeover process as well as the delicate enplaning and deplaning procedure aimed at ensuring optimal care.

Today’s graduation brings to 40 the number of NAF personnel trained for the Aeromedical Evacuation of critical case patients using the C-130H aircraft, with 16 trained just over a month ago. Also present at the event were the Commandant NAFSMSAM as well as other senior NAF officers.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
29 May 2020

#PressRelease

TROOPS OF OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE NEUTRALIZE BOKO HARAM/ISWAP TERRORISTS, CAPTURE ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIER AND RESCUE 241 KIDNAPPED VICTIMS

1. Troops of Army Super Camp 11 Gambouru under Sector 1 of Operation Lafiya Dole, while on clearance operation on 24 May 2020 at Mudu Town in Borno State neutralised 12 Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs). Troops also rescued 241 persons in captivity of the terrorists comprising 105 Women and 136 Children. Items recovered include: 4 BHT flags, 1 motorcycle, 2 bicycles, 1 amplifier and 2 sewing machines. The rescued persons have been safely evacuated from the village and are currently under medical observation, while the village has been cleared. There was no loss of life or equipment from own troops.

2. In the same vein, troops of 151 Battalion on 26 May 2020 successfully killed several Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) including several suicide bombers, while numerous others fled with gunshot wounds. The gallant troops succesfully engaged the criminal Boko Haram elements who were mounted on 10 Gun Trucks and attempted to simultaneously attack the troops’ locations at Banki Junction and Firgi in Bama LGA of Borno State under the cover of darkness. The courageous troops however overpowered the terrorists with superior firepower and captured 1 Cobra Armoured Personnel Carrier, one Dushka Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 AK 47 Rifle and 1 FN Rifle. Other items captured by the gallant troops include 3 Hand Grenades, 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines, one FN Rifle magazine, 78 rounds of 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 25 rounds of fabricated 7.62mm ammunition from the criminals.

3. Relatedly, on 24 May 2020, a prominent Boko Haram fighter, Malam Adamu Yahaya AKA Saad Karami, who led the last attack on troops in Baga town and equally participated in attacks on Metele, Mairari, Bindiram, Kangarwa and Shetimari (Niger Republic) voluntarily surrendered to troops of 242 Battalion in Monguno. This was as a result of the aggressive posture of the troops and artillery bombardments of terrorists’ suspected locations around the general area.

4. The Chief of Army Staff congratulates the gallant troops for their professionalism and good conduct. Equally the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria commends the troops and encourages them to sustain the momentum of their operations towards eradicating the terrorists from the North East.

JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
28 May 2020.

PERSONNEL WELFARE RECEIVES BOOST AS NAF COMMISSIONS TWO ADDITIONAL BLOCKS OF RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION FOR OFFICERS IN LAGOS

The drive of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) towards ensuring that its personnel have befitting residential accommodation has received a fresh boost with the commissioning of 2 newly constructed blocks of 6 x 3 bedroom flats for married officers at the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base Ikeja, Lagos today, 28 May 2020. Speaking during the commissioning, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was represented by the Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command (AOC LC), Air Vice Marshal Lawal Alao, noted that the commissioning of the project was a testimony to his resolve to improve the welfare of NAF personnel, being a major requirement in the development of human capacity for enhanced operational performance. He noted that, while the NAF was being restructured for more effective and efficient service delivery in the last 4 and half years, several infrastructural developments aimed at improving both the working and living conditions of personnel were also embarked upon. The infrastructural developments, the CAS added, included the construction of new offices and living accommodations across all NAF Bases in the Country, to provide conducive atmosphere for optimum operational output.

Speaking further, the CAS noted that the infrastructural development was a major morale boosting factor for some of the modest operational achievements recorded so far. “In the last 4 and half years, while working to address the housing deficit for personnel, we have provided befitting accommodation for about 7,500 families. We remain resolute to do more”, he said. The CAS commended the Logistics Command (LC) for providing necessary support that had enabled the Service to be more efficient in the conduct of its operations across various theatres. He pledged that the Headquarters would continue to provide the necessary resources to enable the Command to continue playing its vital role in supporting NAF operations. The CAS equally lauded the measures emplaced by the Command to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and described the communal approach to tackling the virus with the introduction of COVID-19 Enlightenment and Enforcement Team made up of youth volunteers within the Base, as most impressive. He highlighted that Headquarters NAF, in compliance with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines, had directed the scaling down of the number of personnel for official work to the barest minimum to limit likelihood of contact. He also reminded personnel to continue to maintain personal hygiene, whilst observing physical distancing.

While thanking the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the resources being expended to improve personnel welfare, the CAS enjoined personnel to take responsibility for the proper maintenance of all infrastructure on all NAF Bases, whilst remaining committed to the effective execution of assigned tasks. “As a Service, we must also strive to continuously meet the expectations of the Nation at this time of heightened insecurity by protecting the citizenry and our critical assets as well as bringing succour to those in despair as we discharge our constitutional responsibilities to the Nation,” he said.

In his welcome address, the Commander 651 Base Service Group, Air Commodore Razaq Olanrewaju, expressed gratitude to the CAS for continuing to give priority attention to the provision of decent accommodation for personnel. He assured the CAS that personnel would continually strive to ensure that the NAF lives up to its constitutional responsibilities. One of the highlights of the occasion was the presentation of keys to beneficiaries.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
28 May 2020

nemesis8u:
Better than these ?

You sir will spend the rest of ur days praying

A BIG AMEN to that !!

NA

nemesis8u:
All bolt on systems are last to be incorporated , the aircrafts r still undergoing flight testing.

So wait , they will arrive with the pods

Am in haste man .....

nemesis8u:
What about the EO pod visible underneath the aircraft

Am talking about ours; NAF!!

Tobiloba2407:
I think those are divers, not sbs....they are based very close to the SBS camp....in fact, the SBS present location is situated on the premises of the diving school

Yeap you’re right.
But yearly the NN trains its personnel there and some times uses there facility for training.

GeneralFarouq:
Just imagine, aint this a waste of agency asset

Task payer money !
Have never seen DSS guys attached to private individuals.

NN SBSC underwater warfare training

cutievik:
African countries should step in, this guys are always up to no good.

I think we are not our brothers keeper in Africa here ?
Are you telling me that countries like Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco can’t step firstly through dialogue and talk to both aggrieved parties and find a way quenching this fight.
And if dialogue fails form a coalition army to support the recognized party ?
We don’t have a strong union like the NATO and E.U etc...

seankafor:
is Syria not big enough for this 2 power mongers?
Must they carry their goal posts to Africa

Two Russian Su-35 jets"unsafely" intercepted a US Navy P-8 patrol aircraft while it was flying near Hmymim
It will be interesting if they start intercepting planes around Libya in the same way. Fully airplanes with FSA land in Bengazi
Images released on 26th May made them angry on 24th May?

Libya- more photos from pro-#GNA sources purportedly of #Russia|n forces in Bani Walid

Jelal0007:
I know this dude, he's a member of the AFSF, from cross river state. Ekpole I guess is his name? Tell me he isn't the one please.

Xbee007:
Maybe the guy surrendered to become a spy for the terrorists. The level of radicalisation that would make one to become a terrorist field commander would ensure that you can't just give up just like that. That is the job of DSS and NIA though.

Funny but who knows you might be right, you can trust those bastards.

BREAKING:
Due to the ongoing offensive Ops against insurgents by the military, a 25yrs old #BokoHaram Field Commander in the #LakeChad axis has SURRENDERED to Nigerian Army Super Camp in Mongonu. He led various attacks including the last attack on Baga Town that was repelled.

Death is Inevitable
You died a gallant soldier
R.I.P. soldier

Juchii:
Hmmmm.... World war 3 na there e go start last last. Russians are not taking it lightly. They will start bombarding everywhere. They don't care about human right and all those bla bla bla

They are about to turn Libya to Syria !!
Hope they can clean up the mess caused by America and there NATO allies.

SamuelAnyawu:
Hmmmm the story no be here oh bro. On Feb 28 2018 I was in Rann carrying out my Humanitarian activities. The next thing I raised my head up to see people running and I asked my colleague, What is happening bro? He said the locals said Bokoharam is coming

Omo I confuse instantly. Soldiers don dey hit the alarm iron dey hung on a tree. Soldiers started jumping into trench. One soldier driver said guy enter FOB oh I became confused cos I know the FOB is the target but I got no option.

Omo I ran into the FOB. See Artillery guys begin dey gym heavy boxes out with with bombs. Two white Humanitarian ladies that were with us started crying. Radio communication was going up and down between the military.

It was then the Major who was the head then told us Bokoharam and Some soldiers who left Rann for Surveillance 5Km away were under attack. Military guys started jumping into Hilux, Tata Lorries, Even the Major was holding his AK 47 and Pistol and told us he is coming that they need to teach this boys a lesson

My heart was pumping fast as I began cursing the day I accepted this humanitarian work. When the Soldiers left tho some stayed behind too in the trench on alert. Omo for over 2hours I was just thinking Why? Why?

I asked my colleague if these BH attacks here what should we do? He said he will plead with them that he is a humanitarian worker. I told him as for me I will tell the military to give me an AK oh cos my body structure no BH will believe I am a Civilian. Even if the military withdraws I will follow them to run.

After two hours we saw motorcycles coming from afar on high speed. Omo I don set to begin run self cos I said how come the military that left never used a bike and some bikes are returning. I asked an Artillery guy not too far from us is he not seeing some guys approaching on bikes? He said yeaa that they have communicated it is his colleagues coming back after killing some Bokoharam.

That is how the military returned with a 2 Bokoharam dead bodies and some weaponery.

Two days later on March 1st Bokoharam came for a revenge mission.

Honestly reading your ordeals I can feel the adrenalin rush here ....
Your work pay has to be big for you to be risking your life there, honestly. Most of you guys are like high targets capture for BHT propaganda, remember some of your colleagues back then that where captured.

NEWS: Russia deploys military fighter aircraft to Libya


"For too long, Russia has denied the full extent of its involvement in the ongoing Libyan conflict. Well, there is no denying it now." - Gen. Townsend
-----
Release: https://www.africom.mil/media-room/pressrelease/32789/russia-deploys-military-fighter-aircraft-to-libya

Photos: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6220925/russia-deploys-military-fighter-aircraft-libya

SamuelAnyawu:
Rann always giving me Goose bumps. 30 minutes evacuation saved my life from the March 2018 attack.

Forever in my memory. Continue resting my Humanitarian friends and Gallant Soldiers.

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FIGHT AGAINST INSURGENCY RECEIVES BOOST AS NAF SETS TO ESTABLISH A VIRTUAL FOB IN DAMATURU

In order to further boost the response capability of the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE to threats in Yobe State, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to establish a virtual Forward Operating Base (FOB), with a helipad and refueling facilities, in Damaturu, the State capital. This was made known by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, yesterday, 25 May 2020, while on an inspection of the facilities in Damaturu. This is just as the Yobe State Governor, Honourable Mai Mala Buni, who later accompanied the CAS on the inspection of the helipad, commended the NAF and the ATF for their immense contributions towards ensuring a gradual return to normalcy in the State.

In his remarks at Government House Damaturu before the inspection, Governor Buni said the fact that the Eid-el-Fitr Celebrations were marked in relative peace was as a result of the bravery and commitment of NAF pilots who not only conduct daring air raids on terrorists’ locations to destroy their facilities and neutralize their fighters but also respond speedily to distress calls to support their comrades fighting on land when locations in the State are under attack. He said Yobe State would remain indebted to the NAF for such commitment and would therefore continue to support all initiatives of the Service to enhance its capacity to respond to any threat in the State. Governor Buni equally thanked the CAS for his support in the realization of the Damaturu International Cargo Airport project, which he said would witness its first test flight on Friday, 29 May 2020.

Earlier in his remarks, Air Marshal Abubakar, appreciated Governor Buni for his personal commitment and tireless efforts that had facilitated the speedy execution of the helipad project. He noted that the enhancement of NAF facilities in Damaturu would reduce reaction time and ensure greater effectiveness and efficiency in mission accomplishment. He said this would even make it easier for the ATF to sustain the surveillance of the Maiduguri - Damaturu Highway which had brought some level of succour to commuters. The CAS said the NAF, working in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, would maintain the tempo of operations with a view improving security in Yobe State.

The CAS, who was accompanied on the visit by Branch Chiefs and Directors from Headquarters NAF as well as the Commander ATF, has since returned to Abuja.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
26 May 2020

In December 2017, Commodore Jamila Malafa (equivalent to the Army rank Brigadier-General) became the first female General from Northern Nigeria. Malafa, who joined the Navy in 1988, was born in Gombi, Adamawa State in 1965.

LTGEN:
Check your sources
May 24
12 BH KIA
4 Flags of BH taken down
Women rescued
Kids rescued.
Looks like a BH base was destroyed.
Check Twitter.

The Gallant troops of the NA Super Camp in Gamboru recorded success in their Clearance Operation to BHT enclaves in Rann general area on 24 May 2020. 12 #Bokoharam terrorists Killed, 4 flags, arms & ammo captured. Troops Freed 105 women & 136 children from terrorists camp.

GOV ZULUM COMMENDS NAF ON FIGHT AGAINST INSURGENCY AS CAS PLEDGES COMMITMENT TO SUSTAIN ONSLAUGHT TO ELIMINATE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS IN THE COUNTRY

The Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has commended the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for his exemplary leadership in ensuring that the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE continues to play a pivotal role in the fight against insurgency in the North East of the Country. The Governor equally lauded the immense contributions and sacrifices of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel in securing the territorial integrity of the Country. The Governor made this known today, 25 May 2020, while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the Luncheon organized by the NAF to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr with personnel of the ATF in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The Luncheon was held in keeping with the CAS’ tradition of spending festive periods with NAF personnel serving on the frontlines.

Speaking further, Governor Zulum stated that the tremendous efforts of the NAF in general, and the ATF in particular, in the fight against insurgency had degraded the abilities of the insurgents and gradually facilitated a return to normalcy for the people of the State. He noted that the NAF’s contributions were not limited to kinetic operations, as the Service had also been active in providing humanitarian services such as the healthcare facilities it had established at the Bama and Dalori IDP Camps since 2015 as well as the school feeding programmes that had been running in the Camps since 2016. He noted that these, along with various medical outreaches undertaken over the years, had helped to assuage the suffering of affected communities, while contributing to the enhancement of the overall wellbeing of the people.

Governor Zulum disclosed that the people of Borno State were quite appreciative of these gestures and would continue to hold the NAF in high regard. He therefore assured the CAS of the enduring support of the Borno State Government, noting that posterity would remember the CAS kindly for his selfless leadership. While requesting for continued surveillance over the Borno State airspace to enable farmers go about their farming activities during the rainy season, Governor Zulum expressed appreciation for the airlift support that had enabled him and other government officials continue the vital tasks of governance, even with the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19.

In his remarks, the CAS, while thanking Governor Zulum for the support which the NAF and the ATF had continued to enjoy from the Government and good people of Borno State, noted that, since assumption of office in 2015, he had maintained the tradition of hosting frontline NAF personnel to luncheons during festive periods because, in his words, “these get-togethers foster comradeship and give us the opportunity to commend ourselves in the duty of securing our Nation against criminal elements”. Speaking further, the CAS stressed that the NAF, working in synergy with sister Services and other security agencies, would continue to evolve new methods and emplace new strategies aimed at eliminating all forms of criminal elements in the Country. He disclosed that the NAF, despite the challenges of competing demands for resources and the COVID-19 induced lockdown, had, through pragmatic logistics planning and foresight, maintained the tempo of its operations, not only in the North East, but also in other parts of the Country.

Air Marshal Abubakar noted further that the immense contributions of the NAF, through the ATF, in the fight against insurgency in the North East had helped to shape the theatre of operation and provided freedom of action for the ground troops. He reiterated that the NAF would sustain the current tempo of operations and also advance forward based on the Key Drivers of his Vision for the Service. According to him, “We have kept the pace in training of both air and ground crews, developed the Regiment speciality to defend our Bases and increased the force structure of the Service, whilst building more accommodation and office infrastructure to cope with the growth. Our units are flying the NAF flag across the Country. The latest of these is in Lafia, where the 22 Quick Response Wing was recently activated with the injection of additional Special Forces (SF) personnel”. The CAS equally disclosed that a new Unit would soon be established in Damaturu, where a helipad had been constructed along with refueling facilities. He observed that Force Protection elements would soon be deployed to the location so that operations could commence to improve the ATF’s ability to respond to threats in the Yobe State general area.

The CAS remarked that, whilst sustaining the fight against the seen enemy, personnel must also maintain vigilance and ensure strict adherence to the guidelines and protocols to overcome COVID-19, which he referred to as “the invisible enemy of Humanity”. He said the NAF had accordingly distributed reusable face masks to all personnel and provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and ventilators to the NAF Hospital in Maiduguri. In this regard, the CAS also disclosed that NAF Engineers, in collaboration with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, had equally developed locally-produced emergency ventilators that had been tested and made ready for use, which, he said, would be unveiled during the week.

Air Marshal Abubakar appreciated the commitment of the Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari to providing the NAF with resources required to perform its assigned duties, thereby enabling the various accomplishments of the Service. He therefore urged the troops not to relent in their efforts and also continue to maintain the highest level of vigilance and combat readiness to guarantee the security of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander ATF, Air Commodore Precious Amadi, thanked the CAS for his consistent presence in the Theatre, which, he said, was not only a huge source of motivation but a staunch indication of the CAS’ commitment to the welfare and morale of the personnel. He also expressed appreciation for the various laudable projects executed in NAF Base Maiduguri as well as those that had recently been approved. He said these had boosted the fighting spirit of the troops and strengthened the resolve of the ATF to sustain the highest level of professionalism in the accomplishment of its mission.

On the entourage of the Governor at the Luncheon were his Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Wakil, as well as some members of the Borno State Executive Council. Branch Chiefs and Directors from Headquarters NAF as well as Commanders of NAF Units in Maiduguri were also present at the occasion in Maiduguri. Similar luncheons were also held today for ATF personnel in Yola, Adamawa State as well as for troops of the Air Component of Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force
25 May 2020

LTGEN:
Good news coming in from Gamboru
( For most of us anyway)
The pictures should be here shortly.

Gamboru......

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