The Federal Government has been commended for its determination to improve the operational capability of the Nigerian Air Forcec.

  Making the commendation during  the induction of the AGUSTA 109 Helicopter:into the Alr orce Inventory at the 305 Flying  Training School, Enugu, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Olusegun Oluseyin Petinrin , noted that attempts to regenerate the Nigerian Air Force as a vital instrument of national power are yielding results.

  His words: “Efforts are on to increase our C-130 Hercules aircraft fleet. The

  Mi 24/35 Atta7k Helicopter, the super Puma helicopters, the G-222s, the ATR-42 Maritime PaErol Aircraft and the Donier228 light transport and liaison aircraft.

  “Similarly, the Alpha jets, the new F-7 NI combat aircraft will spoon start operations. Today’s occasion is to usher in the Augusta A 109 Light I Utility Helicopter / A 109 Executive into the service.”

  Air Marshal Petinrin, who spoke through Air Vice Marshal

  Edwin Allene Okafor, expressed happiness that the Nigerian~Air Force would attain and claim its rightful place~when all these platforms are

  fully operational by the end of this year.

  He stated that acquisition of the platforms are Agusta A 109LUH/E aircraft and deployment of Alpha Jet Fighters at the 305 Flying Training School, Enugu will enhance the Nigerian Air

  Force capability to protect the nation’s maritime environment, as a single service or in joint operations with surface forces.

  He, however, recalled with regrets that the Nigerian Air Force the nation and a dependable air power in the sub-region in the 1980s, but due to the lack of platforms and other challenges could not perform its constitutional roles.

  “Our capacity for rapid response in the defence of our nation by air and in support of other security initiatives of government was thus blunted. “It is a well known fact that huge losses are incurred annually to illegal bunkering and exploitation of maritime resources along Nigeria’s exclusive economic zone. “It is, therefore, imperative that positive steps be taken to protect vast arine resources and,/indeed, our territorial integrity”, he further stressed.

  Also in a welcome address, the Air Officer, Commanding Training Command, Air

  Vice Marshal MD Umar, noted the decision to transform 305 Flying Training School into an international flying training school open to other services, the general public and sister African countries.

  To governor Chime of Enugu State, who has picked a form to enroll as the first executive student pilot, AVM Umar said: “I can assure you, sir, you are in good hands.”

  “Indeed this occasion calls for celebration, as it’s marks a mile stone towards the realization of the chief of Air Staff vision to rebuild the operational capability of the Nigerian Air Force for effective and efficient employment as a vital instrument of national power in a rapidly changing world},” he said.

  Governor Chime, on his brief part also commendd the chief of Air staff for his bold initiative to rebuild the Nigerian Air Force generally and the 305 Flying Training School, Enugu.

  He assured the Air Force of the cooperation of his government at all times.

The high point of the ceremony was the testing of the two new helicopters, during which governor chime and some government officials were airlifted to ascertain the air worthiness of the aircrafts.