The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has graduated a new batch of combat-ready Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators, in a move to strengthen battlespace dominance through improved precision and real-time intelligence gathering.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, represented by the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Patrick Obeya, described the graduation as a strategic milestone in the fight against insurgency and other asymmetric threats confronting the nation.
“These young men and women are now key players in our mission to secure Nigeria from the skies.”
Air Marshal Abubakar emphasised that the graduation underscores his vision of developing a highly skilled, agile and mission-ready force.
“The Nigerian Air Force is counting on your competence, discipline, and sense of duty to deliver actionable intelligence and enable successful joint force operations,” he added.
The CAS also used the opportunity to congratulate the new UAV operators and encouraged them to embrace innovation and continuous learning.
“As you go forward, remember that success in modern conflict requires not just flying skills, but the ability to fuse data, think strategically, and act decisively,” he told the graduands.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officers, family members and well-wishers, all of whom celebrated what the CAS described as “a crucial investment in national security”.
