By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has concluded a two-day operational visit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Ground Training Command (GTC) and other affiliated units in Enugu, underscoring the Service’s commitment to enhanced operational readiness, personnel welfare, and strategic civil–military collaboration.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the visit forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen training institutions, deepen partnerships with subnational governments, and align air force capabilities with evolving security challenges.
A major highlight of the visit was a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, at the Government House, aimed at consolidating cooperation towards improved security and sustainable development in the state and the wider South-East region.
During the engagement, Air Marshal Aneke commended the Enugu State Government for its consistent support to NAF personnel and infrastructure, particularly in the areas of accommodation development and provision of essential utilities.
He described the relationship between the NAF and Enugu State as a model of effective subnational partnership in national security.
The CAS emphasized the strategic importance of ground training to airpower effectiveness, noting that well-trained and motivated technical and support personnel are critical to successful air operations.
He also outlined the NAF’s long-term vision on welfare and sustainability, highlighting initiatives that integrate housing, agriculture, and operational resilience to enhance personnel wellbeing and contribute to local economic growth.
Aneke further reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to intelligence-driven collaboration with sister security agencies to sustain peace and security in Enugu State and across the South-East.
In his response, Governor Mbah assured the Nigerian Air Force of the state government’s continued support and collaboration in safeguarding lives and property. He disclosed the readiness of the state to allocate land for resettlement housing for NAF personnel, as well as for NAF farms and agro-allied initiatives.
The governor stressed that security and development are inseparable, while commending the professionalism and stabilizing role of Air Force personnel in the region.
At the Ground Training Command, the CAS received an operational briefing from the Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshal AG Kehinde, on ongoing training reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and personnel development programmes aimed at improving operational efficiency.
The briefing highlighted the Command’s pivotal role in producing the technical and support manpower that underpins Nigerian Air Force operations nationwide.
Air Marshal Aneke also inspected training facilities and key operational assets within the Command and other located units.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded and assured continued institutional support, reiterating that sustained investment in training remains central to building a capable, responsive, and future-ready Nigerian Air Force.
