Theledgerng.com investigations has discovered that the air support for the ongoing war against the Boko Haram insurgents in North-East Nigeria was previously nonexistent because the Nigerian Airforce, NAF was like a bird with clipped wings It was a glorified air force!
For instance the Nigerian Air Force Flying School, Kaduna did not graduate a single cadet for 32 years. However, sources close to the school said the near moribund Airforce is gradually being revived.
The source told theledgerng.com that recently the Flying School graduated 16 instructors recently, and from December last year to June/July this year, the Airforce 'winged' 32 pilots, who are now fully qualified to fly NAF aircrafts. Additionally, from just two trainer aircrafts, NAF has also acquired 14 trainer aircrafts.
The source further added: "In terms of building capacity through training and re-training of personnel, the NAF has also ratcheted up its capability. For example, for the first time in 29 years, the air force was able to hold its weapons delivery exercise this year at the Makurdi Kaina Range.
"NAF has also reactivated 12 aircrafts and acquired new ones, including Mi-35 helicopters, and is now able to ferry participants at the National Defence College - the apex military training institutions for the Nigerian Armed Forces - on their study tours, even outside the country.
"To further show that the Force is really getting revived, for the first time in 15 to 20 years, it was able to transport participants at the Command and Staff College, Jaji. This was not possible in the past because of lack of aircraft and the fact that those available were not serviceable.", says the source.
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