The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has reiterated the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) unwavering commitment to counter-insurgency operations, internal security, and the protection of lives and property. He gave the assurance during his maiden operational visit to the Air Training Command (ATC) and co-located units in Kaduna on Thursday, 18 December 2025.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the visit underscores the Service’s renewed focus on operational readiness, personnel welfare, and mission-oriented training.
Addressing officers, airmen, and airwomen during a durbar, Air Marshal Aneke described Kaduna as a strategic hub in both the history and future of the Nigerian Air Force. “Kaduna occupies a special place in the history of the Nigerian Air Force and in my personal journey,” he said. “This durbar offers an opportunity for direct interaction, honest dialogue, and a reaffirmation of our shared responsibility to the mission and values of the Service.”
Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Yusuf Dari, briefed the CAS on the Command’s mandate, training activities, and operational challenges. He highlighted the Command’s critical role in sustaining the NAF’s operational effectiveness, noting that the quality of air operations is directly linked to the quality of training, maintenance, and support provided by the Command.
Air Marshal Aneke recalled that upon assuming office as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff, he undertook a comprehensive review of factors affecting operational performance, which led to the articulation of his Command Philosophy: “To enhance and sustain a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces in pursuit of our national security objectives.” He stressed that this philosophy serves as a guiding framework for decision-making, planning, and execution across all levels of command.
The CAS commended the personnel of Headquarters Air Training Command and co-located units for their professionalism and commitment, emphasizing the importance of standardised training, innovation, and strategic partnerships in improving operational outcomes. “The quality of our operations depends directly on the quality of our training and sustainment systems,” he noted.
During the visit, Air Marshal Aneke toured various units and facilities, commissioning selected infrastructure projects designed to enhance training and improve personnel welfare. He reiterated that the prevailing security environment requires sustained readiness, discipline, and smart operations, urging commanders to maintain the highest standards of preparedness for personnel, aircraft, and weapon systems.
Concluding the visit, the CAS reaffirmed his policy of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare,” assuring personnel of Headquarters’ continued commitment to their well-being. “A motivated officer, airman, or airwoman is a more alert, disciplined, and effective asset,” he said, pledging sustained attention to allowances, medical support, and the provision of essential tools for duty.
Air Marshal Aneke expressed confidence that with intelligence-driven operations, a proactive safety culture, and efficient resource management, the Nigerian Air Force would continue to safeguard lives, defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity, and advance national security objectives.
