NAF trains more drone pilots to enhance national security
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday graduated eight drone pilots as part of efforts to enhance national security.
The Unmanned Ariel Vehicle (UAV) pilots were part of the NAF’s 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group whose mandate is to conduct precision air strikes, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, as well as Battle Damage Assessment.
The Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, AVM Patrick Obeya said at the graduation ceremony in Kaduna that the Operational Conversion Training for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operations offered essential skills and knowledge to the officers in carrying out their tasks with diligence, accuracy, and integrity.
Obeya said the graduation marked a significant milestone for the dedicated professionals and reminded them of their role in air operations and national security.
Obeya applauded the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, for his commitment to training and human capacity development.
He said some of those trained would be deployed to Borno State to contribute to the air efforts of the military’s Operation HADIN KAI in the region.
Obeya advised the graduates to stay updated with technological advancements and work collaboratively with other aviation personnel in their area of deployment.
He commended the training unit and award winners, encouraging them to excel further.
Obeya emphasised NAF’s commitment to capacity building to enhance air operations, adding that the graduates have been fully equipped to seamlessly fit into NAF air operations across various theatres.
“The graduates are now equipped to play a vital role in national security and the NAF’s objectives,” he added.
Earlier, the Commander, 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group, Group Capt. Augustine Idoko, said the training was to develop agile and resilient Remotely Piloted Aircraft operators.
Idoko explained that the group had made significant contributions to NAF’s mandate in conducting precision air strikes, intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance missions, and in Battle Damage Assessment.
He added that the unit has so far conducted over 130 missions and accumulated more than 950 hours in the first half of 2025.
“The unit has maintained an aircraft serviceability rate of over 80 per cent across its fleet. The unit has achieved several milestones, including conducting the first-ever NAF Type-Rating Course (NAFTRAC) for RPA operators in NAF.”
He said the next Operational Conversion Training Course will be conducted in early August to add more drone operators into the NAF fleet to enhance operational effectiveness.
