27th June, 2018
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday said it had graduated additional 25 student pilots after completing an initial pilot training on Diamond 40 aircraft trainer in Kaduna.
The Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Air Training Command Kaduna, AVM Muhammad Idris, disclosed this during the graduation of Student Pilots 44 Batch B at the 401 Flying Training School in NAF base Kaduna.
Idris said that this was the second set of student pilots to be graduated by the school within the first half of this year.
“The trend of commendable progress recorded by the Air Training Command as one of the most efficient command in the NAF.
“The effort of the determined members of this command aptly reflects also in the level of commitment in tackling the avalanche of internal security challenges plaguing the nation.
“Undoubtedly, the current security challenges facing the country if left unchecked poses grave danger to our collective co-existence as a nation,’’ he said.
He said the NAF has provided the much desired impetus for the command to continue to strive in the attainment of excellence.
“The multiplier effect has been a boost especially in the counter terrorism and counter insurgency efforts in the North East.”
The AOC told the graduating pilots that: “you must all know that this is just the beginning of your chosen career in the NAF.
“I therefore encourage you the graduating student pilots, to continue to work hard to reach the zenith of your career.’’
Idris said NAF shall continue to be steadfast in unwavering loyalty to Nigeria and provide the enabling environment for the country to march on towards greater peace and prosperity.
Earlier the Commander 401 Flying Training School, Group Captain, Ahmad Dari, said since the current leadership of NAF, the school had graduated 68 SP, 50 students on the Diamond 40 aircraft and 18 students on the Super Mushshak aircraft.
Dari said the school also conducted instructor pilot training for four pilots and conversion for three instructor pilots on Super Mushshak.
“These noble achievement are clear indication that the enabling environment and other required logistics to support flying training in the units are provided,’’ Dari said.