Sunday Aneke, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) has reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to sustaining a mission-ready force capable of countering insurgency, banditry and other internal security threats, while prioritising personnel welfare and operational readiness.
Aneke made this known on Thursday, December 18, 2025, during his maiden operational visit to the Air Training Command (ATC) and other co-located Nigerian Air Force units in Kaduna.
Addressing officers, airmen and airwomen at a durbar organised in his honour, the CAS described Kaduna as a strategic hub in the history and future of the Nigerian Air Force, noting that the visit was both professionally significant and personally meaningful to him.
“Kaduna occupies a special place in the history of the Nigerian Air Force and in my personal journey.
“This durbar provides an opportunity for direct interaction, honest dialogue and a reaffirmation of our shared responsibility to the mission and values of the Nigerian Air Force”, Aneke said.
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Earlier, Yusuf Dari, Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command, presented a detailed operational briefing to the CAS, outlining the Command’s mandate, training programmes, achievements and challenges.
Dari emphasised that the ATC remains critical to sustaining the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force.
“The quality of our air operations is directly tied to the quality of training, maintenance and support provided by the Air Training Command,” he said, while highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen capacity and align training outputs with evolving operational requirements.
Speaking further, Aneke said that upon assuming office as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff, he conducted a review of factors affecting the Air Force’s operational effectiveness, which culminated in the articulation of his Command Philosophy.
“My Command Philosophy is to enhance and sustain a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces in pursuit of our national security objectives,” he stated.
He stressed that the philosophy was not a mere slogan, but a practical framework meant to guide decision-making, planning, training and conduct at all levels of command.
The CAS commended personnel of Headquarters Air Training Command and other units in Kaduna for their dedication, underscoring the strategic importance of training and sustainment in ongoing counter-insurgency and internal security operations across the country.
“The quality of our operations depends directly on the quality of our training and sustainment systems,” Aneke said, adding that standardised training, mission-focused capability development, and the effective use of innovation, emerging technologies and strategic partnerships remain critical to success, particularly in Kaduna.
During a tour of facilities, the CAS inspected operational units and training infrastructure, gaining first-hand insight into their requirements.
He also commissioned selected building projects designed to improve training capacity and enhance personnel welfare.
Aneke noted that the prevailing security environment requires sustained readiness, discipline and leadership at all levels, stressing that threats such as banditry must be addressed through sustained pressure and smart, intelligence-driven operations.
“Commanders must ensure the highest levels of readiness for personnel, aircraft and weapon systems at all times,” he charged.
The CAS reiterated his policy thrust of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare,” assuring officers, airmen and airwomen of Headquarters’ continued commitment to their well-being.
“A motivated officer, airman or airwoman is a more alert, disciplined and effective asset,” he said, pledging sustained attention to welfare issues, including allowances, medical support and the provision of essential tools for duty.
He expressed confidence that with intelligence-led operations, a proactive safety culture and efficient use of resources, the Nigerian Air Force would continue to fulfil its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property and safeguarding Nigeria’s national security interests.
