The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Baba Abubakar, has said the graduation of five Agusta 109EM Helicopter Pilots and eight Alpha Jet Pilots will ensure qualitative manpower to meet the operational needs of the Service.
Abubakar stated this at the weekend during the Combined Air Range Exercise and Graduation Ceremony for members of Tactical Helicopter Course 1/2019 and Tactical Fighter Courses 23 and 24A in Makurdi of Benue State.
The Air Chief who congratulated the pilots on their successful graduation urged them to strive to utilize their skills through focus and discipline.
Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, AVM, MZ Suleiman, disclosed that the 5 Agusta 109EM Helicopter Pilots were trained at 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group, Enugu, while four of the eight graduating Alpha Jet pilots were trained in 407 Air Combat Training Group, Kainji, with the other 4 Alpha Jet pilots trained with the Egyptian Air Force.
He said the feat was achieved due to the fact that the command has been equipped with necessary logistic and administrative support, and assured of smooth and unhindered progress in training activities at the Air Training Command.
On their part, Squadron Leader Kelechi Nwagba and Flying Officer, Ahmed Kabir Galadanci, who spoke with Daily Trust expressed satisfaction that with the completion of the training programme, they are willing, able and ready to undertake assigned missions.
