The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has strengthened its intelligence-led air operations with the graduation of a new batch of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operators following the successful completion of Operational Conversion Training (OCT) 4/2025 at the 233 Wing, 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group (CRG).
The graduation ceremony, held on 17 December 2025, marks a significant step in enhancing the NAF’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) as well as precision air support capabilities in support of ongoing counter-insurgency and internal security operations across Nigeria.
Representing the Special Guest of Honour, the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (TAC), Air Vice Marshal Patrick Obeya, the Chief of Staff TAC, Air Vice Marshal Garba Jibia, described the graduation as “the ceremonial handover of a sacred trust to project air power, deliver timely and actionable ISR, and support joint operations in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty.”
He said the training aligns with the Command Philosophy of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, which places emphasis on standardised training and mission-focused capability development. According to him, the Operational Conversion Training was deliberately designed to produce mission-ready and operationally effective RPA operators capable of meeting contemporary security demands.
Air Vice Marshal Jibia stressed that continuous investment in training and human capacity development remains critical to addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, particularly in the rapidly advancing domain of remotely piloted aircraft operations.
“In a fast-changing operational environment, especially within the RPA domain, only well-trained and disciplined personnel can deliver the precision, professionalism and accountability required for effective air operations,” he said, while commending the quality and relevance of the training programme.
In his remarks, the Commander of the 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group, Group Captain Augustine Obute Idoko, highlighted the operational impact of the unit, revealing that the Group conducted over 315 missions and accumulated more than 1,800 flying hours in 2025 using available NAF unmanned aerial vehicles.
He noted that the graduation of the new operators would further enhance the Group’s capacity to provide real-time intelligence and support joint military operations across various theatres.
The event underscores the NAF’s sustained commitment to leveraging advanced technology, skilled manpower and intelligence-driven air power to strengthen national security and support ongoing military operations nationwide.
