CAS Strengthens NAF Operational Readiness, Deepens Strategic Ties with Enugu State
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has reinforced the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to operational readiness, personnel welfare, and civil-military cooperation during a two-day operational visit to the Ground Training Command (GTC) and other Nigerian Air Force (NAF) units in Enugu State.
The visit, which commenced on 5 February 2026, underscored the NAF’s strategic focus on strengthening its training architecture while consolidating partnerships with subnational governments in support of national security and sustainable development.
A key highlight of the visit was a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Barrister (Dr) Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, at the Government House.
During the engagement, Air Marshal Aneke commended the Enugu State Government for its consistent support to NAF personnel, particularly in the areas of accommodation development and the improvement of essential utilities. He described the relationship between the Air Force and the State as a model of effective collaboration in advancing national security.
According to the CAS, ground training remains the backbone of airpower effectiveness. He emphasized that well-trained and motivated technical and support personnel are critical to ensuring that operational aircraft deliver decisive results.
Read Also:
He further outlined the NAF’s long-term vision for welfare and sustainability, highlighting initiatives that integrate housing, agriculture, and operational resilience to improve personnel wellbeing while stimulating economic activity within host communities.
Air Marshal Aneke also reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to intelligence-driven cooperation with sister security agencies to sustain peace and stability in Enugu State and across the South-East region.
In his response, Governor Mbah assured the Nigerian Air Force of the State Government’s unwavering support and readiness to deepen collaboration in securing lives and property. He confirmed the State’s willingness to provide land for resettlement housing for NAF personnel, as well as additional land to support NAF Farms and agro-allied ventures.
The Governor stressed that security and development are mutually reinforcing priorities and commended the professionalism and stabilizing role of Air Force personnel in the region.
At the Ground Training Command, the CAS received a detailed operational briefing from the Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshal AG Kehinde, on ongoing training reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and personnel development initiatives aimed at enhancing operational output.
The briefing highlighted the Command’s pivotal role in producing the technical and support manpower that underpins NAF operations nationwide.
Air Marshal Aneke later inspected training facilities and key operational assets across the Command and other located units. He reiterated that a robust ground training ecosystem is essential to sustaining modern airpower, assuring officers and personnel of continued institutional support.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded and reaffirmed that sustained investment in training remains central to building a capable, responsive, and future-ready Nigerian Air Force.