NAF to play crucial role in maritime security

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), will now play crucial role in  maritime security.

He disclosed that the 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG) Port Harcourt would be taking on more roles in the area of maritime security as it would serve as one of the operating bases for the three special mission aircraft being deployed to Benin as part of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Deep Blue Sea Project, aimed at comprehensively addressing insecurity and criminality in Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The CAS said this while commissioning a Computerized Tomography Scan (CT Scan) machine and  a block of 30 x one bedroom accommodation for airmen at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Port Harcourt.

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Nigerian Air Force Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola in a statement explained that the acquisition and installation of tha CT Scan facility at the NAF Reference Hospital Port Harcourt is aimed at enhancing medical services to personnel and their families as well as the NAF’s host communities.

While highlighting the crucial role 115 SOG plays in supporting the NAF’s operations in various Theatres across the country, the Air Chief said that, given the imminent delivery of the special mission aircraft, the NAF had begun the upgrade of infrastructural facilities on its Port Harcourt Base, to ensure that personnel remain focused on their tasks and contribute in adding value to the Service.

“The NAF has been providing the much-needed air support at various Theatres of Operation across the country, in which 115 SOG plays very crucial roles. In recognition of the crucial roles being played by the officers and men of 115 SOG in achieving the noble objective, the NAF has intensified efforts to address the challenge of inadequate living accommodation for airmen/airwomen whilst taking steps to improve educational and healthcare delivery facilities for personnel and their families”.

Air Marshal Abubakar therefore commended the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Olusegun Philip, as well as the Commander 115 SOG, Group Captain Dooyum Laha, and his personnel for their efforts towards ensuring the security of the nation.

While fielding questions from the newsmen on the NAF’s ongoing contributions to the fight against COVID-19, the CAS noted that the Service has continued to provide Liquid Oxygen (LOX) from its Plant at the 103 Strike Group (103 STG) Yola and airlifting them to COVID-19 Management Centres in Abuja and other locations across the country.

 The AOC TAC said the CT Scan facility would undoubtedly enhance the provision of qualitative healthcare services for NAF personnel and their families as well as host communities in Rivers State and indeed the entire Niger Delta Region of the country.

“The commitment of the CAS to the provision of infrastructure for the optimum performance and comfort of NAF personnel, especially NAF base Port Harcourt, is very impressive and well appreciated,” he said.

The AOC reassured the CAS of the firm resolve and dedication of personnel to do their utmost in contributing to the peace and security of the country.