NAF Records 6,100 Flying Hours, 2,900 Sorties Under Aneke’s One-Year Leadership
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recorded more than 6,100 flying hours and 2,900 sorties in support of national security operations under the leadership of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, ahead of his first anniversary in office on October 30, 2026.
The milestones, achieved between November 2025 and September 2026, reflect the Service’s operational activities, personnel development, fleet modernisation and infrastructure expansion aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s airpower capabilities.
According to the NAF, the operations consumed close to 10 million litres of Jet A-1 fuel and involved precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance, surveillance and close air support for surface forces.
The Service explained that its operations were guided by intelligence-led mission planning, clearly defined objectives and assessments of mission outcomes to ensure that every sortie contributed meaningfully to national security.
Under Air Marshal Aneke’s leadership, the NAF has also prioritised personnel welfare through its philosophy of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare,” recognising the importance of motivated and professionally equipped personnel in achieving operational effectiveness.
The initiatives include improvements in personnel allowances, medical support, accommodation and infrastructure, as well as the reactivation of welfare airlift services for personnel deployed in frontline operational theatres.
The Service also recorded significant career advancements, with 57 senior officers promoted to the ranks of Air Vice Marshal and Air Commodore. Additionally, 1,534 senior non-commissioned officers and 1,936 non-commissioned officers were promoted to higher ranks.
In the area of professional development, more than 550 personnel participated in international training programmes and professional engagements, while over 6,000 underwent local training to strengthen their technical expertise, leadership capacity and operational competencies.
On fleet modernisation, the NAF received five additional helicopters in September 2026, comprising three AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters and two H125 helicopters.
The Service is also pursuing the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and other planned aircraft and unmanned aerial systems to improve its combat, airlift, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Maintenance and aircraft regeneration efforts have equally progressed, including the reactivation and upgrade of six L-39ZA aircraft in Slovakia and Nigeria, alongside ongoing Periodic Depot Maintenance of a C-130 aircraft in Portugal.
To strengthen operational accountability and aviation safety, the NAF has established an Operational and Safety Audit Committee to support independent assessments of operational, engineering and armament units.
It is also enhancing its Safety Management System and advancing Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response initiatives through specialised structures, standardised training and improved assessment and investigation capabilities.
The planned establishment of an Open-Source Intelligence Centre is expected to further strengthen situational awareness and operational planning through improved exploitation of available information and emerging technologies.
Infrastructure development has also featured prominently in the Service’s transformation agenda, with 284 projects approved across its formations.
Of the projects, 145 have been completed, while 139 remain ongoing. They cover residential accommodation, academic and medical facilities, administrative buildings, operational infrastructure, roads, electricity, water supply and recreational facilities.
The NAF is also promoting indigenous technical capabilities through local production initiatives involving Aircraft Release Device 863 impulse release cartridges, a 250-kilogram bomb-loading trolley and the development and ground testing of locally produced 57-millimetre rockets.
Community-focused healthcare, educational and other special projects have continued as part of efforts to strengthen civil-military relations and public confidence.
As Air Marshal Aneke approaches his first anniversary, the Service said it remains committed to translating investments in personnel, aircraft, training, technology and infrastructure into improved operational outcomes.
It added that stronger joint operations, strategic partnerships, improved maintenance and professional development would remain central to its efforts to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The NAF reaffirmed its commitment to building a professional, accountable and responsive force capable of delivering decisive airpower in support of national security.
