Get Guardian on GoogleBy Ehimen Ejodame
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under the leadership of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has continued to strengthen its operational response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges through sustained air operations, enhanced intelligence-driven missions, improved aircraft availability and closer synergy with surface forces. As the CAS marked his first year in office on 30 October 2026, these efforts reflect his commitment to maintaining a professional, motivated and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in support of national security objectives.
Since assuming office on 30 October 2025, Air Marshal Aneke has pursued a command philosophy that places operational effectiveness, jointness, technological advancement and sustained readiness at the centre of NAF activities. The objective is to ensure that airpower delivers tangible operational value through the disruption of hostile activities, support for ground forces and the protection of lives and critical national interests.
Sustaining operational tempo
The NAF’s first-anniversary update highlights the scale of operational activity sustained under the CAS’s leadership. Between November 2025 and September 2026, the Service recorded more than 6,100 flying hours and over 2,900 sorties, supported by the consumption of close to 10 million litres of Jet A-1 aviation fuel.
These figures reflect the substantial resources, technical expertise and professional commitment required to sustain air operations across multiple mission profiles. From aircrew and engineers to intelligence specialists, technicians and logistics personnel, the collective efforts of NAF personnel remain essential to generating and sustaining operational airpower.
The missions undertaken during the period included precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance, close air support and other tasks in support of national security operations. Through these activities, the NAF continues to contribute to efforts to disrupt hostile operations, support surface forces and strengthen the overall response to security threats.
Beyond the figures, sustained operational activity demonstrates the Service’s continuing commitment to maintaining pressure on hostile elements while providing relevant air support to the wider national security effort. The effectiveness of these operations remains closely linked to sound intelligence, disciplined mission planning, appropriate target assessment and coordination with other security forces.
Jointness as a force multiplier
A central pillar of the CAS’s command philosophy is synergy with surface forces. The NAF recognises that airpower delivers its greatest value when integrated with the operations of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and other relevant security agencies. Such integration supports coordinated planning, information sharing and the timely application of capabilities against evolving threats.
Nigeria’s complex security environment demands a flexible and coordinated response. Air operations can provide surveillance, mobility, rapid response and close air support, while surface forces contribute ground presence, manoeuvre and the ability to consolidate operational gains. Effective coordination among these elements is, therefore, critical to achieving mission objectives.
In this regard, the CAS’s emphasis on intelligence-driven smart operations underscores the importance of timely and credible information in operational decision-making. The planned Open-Source Intelligence Centre within the Air Intelligence Branch, as outlined in the CAS’s early leadership memorandum, was intended to strengthen the exploitation of publicly available information in support of situational awareness and operational planning.
The NAF continues to recognise that operational success depends on more than the employment of aircraft. It requires effective intelligence integration, clear command and control arrangements, professional coordination and the ability to align air operations with the broader objectives of joint missions.
Sustaining air power through maintenance and logistics
The generation of effective airpower depends on the availability, reliability and safety of aircraft. Behind every sortie are the inspections, servicing, technical assessments, logistics arrangements and safety procedures required to ensure that aircraft are ready for their assigned missions.
Consistent with the CAS’s emphasis on predictive maintenance and timely logistics support, the NAF has reported the reactivation of a Super Puma helicopter, completion of a 600-hour inspection on a Dornier-228 aircraft and the commencement of overhaul work on C-130H aircraft NAF 913 at facilities in Portugal.
These maintenance activities underscore the importance of sustaining existing platforms alongside the introduction of new aircraft. They also highlight the critical contribution of engineers, technicians and logisticians to operational readiness.
The NAF remains focused on strengthening maintenance quality assurance, improving logistics planning and ensuring strict compliance with approved technical and airworthiness standards. These measures are essential to reducing avoidable downtime, preserving aircraft serviceability and sustaining the safe generation of airpower in support of national security operations.
Modernisation for evolving operational demands
As security threats evolve, the NAF continues to pursue platform modernisation and technological advancement to strengthen its operational flexibility. The Service’s September 2026 anniversary update recorded the delivery of five additional helicopters, comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters.
The NAF has also pursued programmes involving 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and six M-346 aircraft. The AH-1Z programme is intended to strengthen combat capability and close air support for surface forces, while the M-346 programme is expected to enhance advanced pilot training and light-attack capability.
These programmes form part of the broader effort to build a balanced and capable Air Force responsive to Nigeria’s operational requirements. However, the NAF recognises that the full value of modernisation depends on effective induction, personnel training, technical support, maintenance infrastructure and sustainable logistics arrangements.
Accordingly, platform acquisition must be accompanied by investments in the systems and personnel required to operate and sustain aircraft safely and effectively. This integrated approach is essential to ensuring that modernisation translates into dependable operational capability.
Airpower in service of national security
As Air Marshal Aneke marks his first year as CAS, the NAF remains focused on sustaining operational readiness, strengthening joint operations, improving aircraft availability and developing the capabilities required to respond to emerging security challenges.
While operational activity provides an important measure of the Service’s effort, the NAF recognises that the broader objective is to contribute meaningfully to national security outcomes. This requires continuous professional development, effective inter-agency cooperation, responsible employment of airpower and sustained attention to the protection of civilians.
The Service’s operational commitments are therefore guided by the need to employ its capabilities purposefully in support of national objectives. Through intelligence-driven missions, close coordination with surface forces and continuous improvement in operational and technical standards, the NAF continues to contribute to the collective effort to protect Nigeria and its citizens.
One year into Air Marshal Aneke’s leadership, the direction remains clear: sustain a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready Air Force capable of delivering effective airpower in support of joint operations. By combining operational resolve with disciplined execution, technological advancement and institutional collaboration, the NAF remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities and contributing to a safer and more secure Nigeria.
Ejodame is the director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force.
