CAS tasks officers on protection of host communities

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has tasked the newly graduated officers of the Special Forces of the Nigerian Air Force to respect and protect the members of their host communities.

Abubakar, who gave the task during the graduation ceremony of 135 students of the Special Forces Course 11/2023 on Friday in Bauchi, explained that the successes of the force in shaping the battle space and neutralising adversary capabilities had resulted in degrading operational capacity of bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements in different operational theatres.

Represented by Air Vice Marshal Usman Abdullahi, Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command, headquarter, Abubakar said, “To the graduating students of Special Forces Course 11/2023, I am aware of the rigours of your training on the ground and in the air, and that is why you have been decorated with your Special Forces emblem. I say well done. I, therefore, urge you to exhibit what you have learnt during the course whenever and wherever duty calls.”

Abubakar thanked President Bola Tinubu for his continuous support to the force despite the harsh economic realities and promised to continue to employ the available resources for the betterment of the country’s service.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commanding Officer, of Regiment Training Centre Annex, Nigerian Air Force, Bauchi, Aminu Bello, said a total of 308 personnel of the Regiment Specialty were nominated to undergo medical and physical screening for the 93 days Special Forces Course.

Bello explained that out of the number, only 294 reported and 148 trainees scaled through the medical and physical screening tests, “these successful personnel commenced the training in September but at the end of the course, a total of 135 comprising five officers and 130 airmen completed the course.”