By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has declared personnel welfare as a decisive weapon in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, insisting that mission success begins with taking care of the people who deliver airpower.
Speaking during a high-energy durbar with officers, airmen and airwomen at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Enugu, on 6 February 2026, the CAS reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s determination to sustain pressure on terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements across the country.
The interactive engagement brought together personnel of Headquarters Ground Training Command (HQ GTC) and other collocated units, providing a rare platform for open dialogue between the Service Chief and frontline personnel. Air Marshal Aneke used the occasion to reinforce unity of purpose, boost morale and restate the NAF’s unwavering operational focus amid ongoing counter-insurgency operations nationwide.
Reflecting on his first 100 days in office, the Air Chief outlined deliberate reforms targeted at strengthening operational effectiveness, improving logistics coordination, enhancing aircraft maintenance culture and sustaining a professional, mission-ready force. He noted that recent improvements in operational tempo across various theatres are a direct result of increased aircraft serviceability, tighter logistics management and renewed emphasis on maintenance discipline.
Air Marshal Aneke further disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force is set to induct advanced combat platforms that will significantly enhance precision strike capabilities and strengthen Nigeria’s deterrence posture. He commended HQ GTC and its collocated units for their critical role in training and operational readiness, stressing that their professionalism directly supports frontline air operations against insurgency, banditry and other emerging security threats.
Charging personnel to remain vigilant and sustain air dominance, the CAS urged them to continuously innovate and adapt to the evolving security environment, noting that discipline, professionalism and relentless focus are non-negotiable in modern warfare. He emphasised the need to maintain constant pressure on adversaries and dominate the battlespace from the air.
At the heart of his message was a strong assurance that personnel welfare remains inseparable from combat effectiveness. Reiterating his leadership philosophy that motivated personnel form the backbone of airpower, Air Marshal Aneke pledged sustained investments in accommodation, medical services, allowances and improved working conditions. He assured personnel that welfare and operational concerns raised during the durbar would be addressed through structured, priority-driven interventions.
The CAS concluded by calling for unwavering dedication and professionalism, affirming that the Nigerian Air Force will continue to strengthen its human capacity while intensifying operations nationwide. The Enugu visit, he said, reinforces a simple but powerful operational truth: when personnel are supported, the force is stronger—and victory becomes inevitable.
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