From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar at the weekend commissioned runway lights and state-of-the-art airfield facilities at the Kaduna Military Airfield.
This development marked a significant milestone in the pursuit of aviation excellence in the country.
Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet said the upgrade revolutionises pilots’ training practices, enhances safety protocols, and bolsters operational efficiency, thus signaling a new era in aviation standards in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
Earlier, Air Marshal Abubakar had also commissioned the new Base Defence Coordination Centre as well as the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Workshop among other notable projects, signifying relentless dedication, unwavering commitment, and tireless efforts by the NAF to meet the defence and security needs of Nigeria.
In his remarks at the brief ceremony for the commissioning of the runway lights, the CAS expressed profound pride and joy at witnessing the airfield’s transformation, despite previous attempts to modernize it.
He highlighted the airfield’s strategic importance and quickly added that the Kaduna Military Airfield, located within the NAF Base Kaduna, has been a major military stronghold since the Nigerian Civil War, hosting major operational units.
According to the CAS, “the inauguration of the new facilities would help eliminate challenges experienced during night flying operations and flying in low-visibility conditions which hinder sortie rates and achievements of objectives.
“With these upgrades, the NAF will experience a significant boost in agility, enabling increased sortie rates and seamless day and night operations against adversaries.
“Moreover, our resilience will be enhanced, allowing us to quickly recover from adverse weather conditions and fulfill national security requirements more effectively”, the Air Chief added.