The Nigerian Air Force is an arm of the country’s military. Military comprises Army (Land), Air Force (Air) and Navy (Water). The Air Force usually operates in the air using jets and bombs but they also work on land too so they have large, equipped stations on land they call bases. The Nigerian Air Force have 17 bases in the country. The Nigerian Air Force bases in Nigeria are:
NAF Abuja operates from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
NAF Kaduna operates from the Old Kaduna Airport in Kaduna State
NAF Port Harcourt is located in Rivers State
NAF Benin is based in Edo State
NAF Maiduguri is located in Borno State
NAF Minna operates from the Minna Airport in Niger State.
NAF Makurdi operates from the Makurdi Airport in Benue State.
NAF Kano is located in Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State
NAF Enugu is located in Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State
NAF Jos is based in Plateau State
NAF Ipetu-Ijesha operates from Osun State
NAF Shasha is in Lagos State
NAF Kanji is in Niger State
NAF Katsina is located in Katsina State
NAF Yola is based in Adamawa State
NAF Mando is in Kaduna State
NAF Unguwan also in Kaduna State
The Nigerian Air Force uses various aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles to achieve its mandate. The Air Force handles the aerial aspect of warfare in the Nigerian military.
Nigerian Air Force
The Nigerian Air Force was founded more than 56 years ago on 18 April 1964 before the Nigerian Civil War.
Before the Nigerian Air Force was formally established, the Government in 1962 had already recruited personnel and began sending them for pilot training in several international Nations, the first ten Nigerian Air Force pilots were trained in Egypt. By the next year, another six cadets were sent to Canada for training, others to India.
Later, more pilots were trained in Nigeria with the help of the now defunct West German Air Force, under the German Air Force Assistance Group (GAFAG) which was headed by Colonel Gerhard Kahtz, who later became the first commander of the Nigerian Air Force.
The newly formed Nigerian Air Force at the time acquired it’s first fighter jets from the Soviet Union, and much of it was used during the Nigerian Civil War.
The first aircrafts of the Nigerian Air Force were six MiG-17s for air defense and strike, two MiG-15s for training of pilots, later on, six Il-28 bombers, were delivered which were flown by Egyptian and Czech pilots.
Role of the Nigerian Air Force
Nigerian Air Force has its roles which they have been provided in the Nigerian Constitution.
While it is interesting to know the Nigerian Air Force Ranks and Salary, it is also essential to understand their roles and duties.
The Nigerian Air Force roles are:
Protection and defence of Nigeria from both from foreign or domestic threats. To achieve the roles, they’ll need to provide airborne support to the Nigerian Army and Navy during operations.
To provide comprehensive support to the civil authorities during national emergencies.
Provide logistics support in transporting men and materiel of the Armed Forces, Civil authorities, and the Government.
Earn hard power for diplomatic matters in the international community.
Operations of the Nigerian Air Force
Since it’s formation, the Nigerian Air Force has carried out several operations and peacekeeping missions all over the globe. And while searching for the Nigerian Air Force ranks and salary, its important to also know some of its operations.
Peacekeeping operations are important for the military so that they can hone their combat and diplomatic skills in an active war zone. Officers who are deployed on a peacekeeping operations are usually paid more.
Nigerian Air Force Command Structure
If you would like to know the Nigerian Air Force ranks and salary, it’s equally important to understand the command structure.
Currently, the Nigerian Air Force has one service Headquarters located in Abuja, 6 principal staff branches, 4 direct reporting units and 4 operational commands. The present Chief of the Air Staff is Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
The four operational commands are outlined below;
NAF Tactical Air Command (TAC)
NAF Mobility Command
NAF Training Command
NAF Logistics Command
NAF Tactical Command: carries out, and interpreting the operational plan if the Nigerian Air Force. It’s headquarters is in Makurdi, Benue state.
NAF Mobility Command: it carries out essential transport duties for the Government, Nigerian Air Force, Army, and the Navy. It was formed in 2011, and it’s headquarters is in Yenegoa, Bayelsa state.
NAF Training Command: it mainly handles the training if cadets, ground support personnel, and technicians. It’s headquarters is in Kaduna.
NAF Logistics Command: it’s job is to acquire, and maintain NAF’s equipment for mission readiness state at minimum cost. It’s headquarters is in Ikeja, Lagos state.
