Nigerian army wings 22 pilots, engineers

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has winged 22 qualified officers and soldiers as pilots and certified maintenance engineers to boost the Nigerian Army’s operational readiness.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the army chief winged 22 of the 46 aircraft pilots, mission operators, engineers, and technicians trained by the Nigerian Army in Turkey.

NAN also reports that the winging ceremony took place at the close of the 2024 COAS Annual Conference, held yesterday in Abuja. In his remarks, the COAS said the winging of the pilots, engineers, and technicians was aimed at strengthening the army’s professionalism and combat readiness, in line with his command philosophy.

“We just winged 22 qualified officers and soldiers as pilots and certified maintenance engineers.

“Their winging is a morale booster and confirms their certification to fly and maintain the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones in our inventory.

“The Nigerian Army plans to procure additional unmanned aerial systems in the coming year to enhance its operations across all theatres.’’

“I am aware that Mr President is currently presenting the 2025 Budget proposal to the National Assembly for consideration and speedy passage.

“The Nigerian Army looks forward to a smooth budget defence and the timely release of appropriated funds in the new year to facilitate its activities,” he said.

The Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, Brig.-Gen. U.G. Ogeleka, said the army had sent 35 officers and 11 soldiers from the Nigerian Route 3 Piloted Aircraft System Regiment in 2022 to train in the operation and maintenance of the Bayraktar TB2 drone in Turkey.

Ogeleka stated that the Nigerian government had acquired 43 of the drones to support the army’s operations in the North-West theatre.

According to him, the trained crew comprised locally piloted aircraft pilots, mission operators, avionics and mechanical engineers, and technicians.

“Overall, we have 14 trained locally piloted aircraft pilots, seven mission operators, and 23 engineers and technicians.

“They completed the project with 46 trained pilots and technicians from the Bayraktar TB2 drone programme.

“However, for the purpose of this winging ceremony, I am presenting 22 of them because the others are engaged in operational duties,” he said.

The commander added that since the deployment of Project Guideline in 2022, the personnel had successfully conducted several operations, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes, within the Kaduna and Niger states. He revealed that the team had conducted 254 sorties, amounting to a total flight time of 1,664 hours from October 2022 to date.