By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has issued a clarion call to 30 newly graduated helicopter pilots of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to rise to the evolving demands of modern warfare with unwavering professionalism, continuous learning, and a spirit of collaboration.
Delivering his message through the Chief of Training and Operations, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Edosa, the CAS gave the charge at the Combined Graduation Ceremony of the Integrated Helicopter Pilot Course 9/2024 and the Airline Transport Pilot Licence Course 2/2025, at the International Helicopter Flying School (IHFS), Enugu.
In a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the CAS described the graduation as both a personal triumph for the officers and a strategic advancement for the NAF.
He congratulated the graduates, urging them to approach their roles with humility, accountability, and an unyielding commitment to national service.
“You are stepping into a dynamic and complex operational environment,” he said. “The threats to our national security are multifaceted and constantly evolving. Your success will depend not only on the flying skills you have acquired but also on your ability to adapt, collaborate, and operate as part of a joint force.”
Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized that the new pilots now bear the hopes of the nation and the trust of a service that stands as a bastion of peace and stability.
He called on them to wear their wings with pride, tempered by a deep sense of duty.In a symbolic boost to the school’s operational capabilities, the CAS also commissioned a newly renovated aircraft hangar at IHFS a key milestone in the school’s infrastructure development.
He noted that the hangar is part of a larger transformation drive, which includes the construction of a new school headquarters and 36 student accommodation units, underscoring the NAF’s vision to position IHFS as a world-class hub for rotary-wing aviation training.
“The Nigerian Air Force is not just training pilots,” he stated, “we are building a self-reliant, mission-ready, and resilient force capable of confronting the demands of contemporary battle spaces.”
The ceremony also witnessed the graduation of IHFS flight instructors who completed the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) training. Some instructors were elevated to higher ranks, reflecting growing instructional capacity and alignment with international aviation standards.
Reaffirming his commitment to deliberate training and infrastructure-driven excellence, the CAS described IHFS as a strategic pillar of his command philosophy. He commended the Rector and instructional team for their exceptional professionalism and dedication, while also acknowledging the contributions of Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited and the School’s Board of Directors for their oversight and strategic support.
The event was not just a celebration of pilot proficiency but a reflection of the NAF’s evolving strategic vision one that situates rotary-wing aviation at the core of Nigeria’s national security framework.
admin