The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has celebrated a significant milestone, as its pilots have logged 10,000 flight hours on the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft fleet. The achievement was marked earlier on Thursday in Kainji, Niger State, during a ceremony attended by Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.
Speaking at the event, Air Marshal Abubakar highlighted that this milestone reflects the dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment of NAF personnel to the mission of securing Nigeria’s airspace. “Reaching 10,000 flight hours is no small feat,” he said, emphasizing that it symbolizes the countless hours of training, meticulous planning, and flawless execution that have gone into every mission.
The CAS expressed pride that this milestone was achieved without any major incidents, attributing the success to NAF’s stringent safety measures. “Strict adherence to safety measures has enabled us to achieve these desired results,” he noted. Air Marshal Abubakar also paid tribute to NAF’s fallen heroes, stating that their sacrifices continue to inspire and remind the force of the importance of its mission.
Addressing the dynamic security environment, the CAS urged the pilots to remain focused on the challenges ahead. He emphasized the need for NAF to adapt, innovate, and evolve to stay ahead of emerging threats. Air Marshal Abubakar also praised the efforts of the unit commander and crew in ensuring mission success across various internal security operations, which have been crucial in combating terrorists and supporting ground offensives.
The CAS extended his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support, which has been instrumental in achieving this milestone. He also acknowledged the support from the National Assembly, the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence. Additionally, he expressed appreciation for the United States Government and Sierra Nevada Corporation, the prime contractor of the aircraft.
Earlier in the event, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, noted that the 10,000 flight hours represent an average of nine hours of daily flying time over the past three years. He attributed this achievement to the rigorous training, sacrifices of the pilots, and the unwavering support of the ground crew.
Since its induction in August 2021, the A-29 Super Tucano fleet has played a pivotal role in numerous missions across Nigeria, with over 8,500 hours dedicated to operational sorties against terrorists, bandits, and other violent non-state actors. The aircraft’s night and precision munitions delivery capabilities have significantly enhanced NAF’s operational effectiveness.
 has celebrated a significant milestone, as its pilots have logged 10,000 flight hours on the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft fleet. The achievement was marked earlier on Thursday in Kainji, Niger State, during a ceremony attended by Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.){kind=link}