NAF inducts Mi-171E multi-purpose helicopter

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inducted Mi-171E NAF 582 multi-purpose helicopter for improved and efficient operations in the country.
Performing the ceremony in Makurdi, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the additional platform would significantly add value to its ongoing operations in the country.
Represented by AVM Mohammed Idris, the Chief of Policy and Planning, NAF Headquarters, Sadique said the new platform would help NAF’s operations in North East, North West and North Central.
He said the newly inducted platform was a multi-purpose aircraft that could be used for wide-range operations.
He said “This additional platform will significantly add value to our operational efforts, constitutional duty and assure security of our nation.
“We will continue to be creative and innovative to provide the necessary capacity and support system to meet the revolving asymmetric warfare of the terrorists.”
He said that NAF had retrained over 105 pilots, both within and outside the country, while upgrading another 266 pilots on policies and programmes.
Sadique added that the Air Force had enhanced its capacity by training its personnel on robust maintenance of equipment.
In his address, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Tactical Air Command, Makurdi, AVM Olusegun Philips, said NAF would continue to be loyal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari.
Philips also said the personnel would continue to remain dedicated to their duties to keep the flag of NAF flying.
He assured that the newly acquired Mi-171-E- NAF 582 would be put into good use to achieve NAF operational effectiveness and efficiency.
He said the induction of the new platforms would continue to impact positively on NAF operational capability, especially in the Command’s effort in the ongoing counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency operations in the country. (NAN)