In a stirring message that resonated with duty, courage, and national pride, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, DFS, has urged newly graduated regiment personnel to remain vigilant, disciplined, and unflinchingly committed to defending the nation against emerging security threats.
The CAS gave the charge during the combined graduation ceremony of the Basic Regiment Officers Course 20/2025 and Basic Regiment Airmen/Airwomen Course 33/2025, held at the Regiment Training Centre (RTC), Kaduna, where 483 personnel comprising 34 officers and 449 airmen/airwomen successfully completed their intensive training.
Represented by the Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Dari, Air Marshal Aneke emphasized that the Nigerian Air Force remains steadfast in its resolve to confront insurgency, banditry, terrorism, and other internal security challenges through enhanced capacity building and improved operational readiness.
“The modern battlespace is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. Accordingly, we are revitalizing capabilities, developing new ones, and adapting processes to meet emerging security demands,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to reposition the NAF as a combat-ready and adaptive force capable of responding decisively to evolving threats.
He further noted that a sustainable and effective Air Force must rest on the foundation of discipline, technical competence, and moral strength, urging the graduands to embody the NAF’s core values of loyalty, honesty, courage, and discipline as they assume their new roles.
The CAS also commended the Commandant, staff, and instructors of the Regiment Training Centre for their commitment to excellence in grooming the next generation of air power defenders, assuring continued support for ongoing training and capacity-building initiatives.
During the ceremony, the newly graduated personnel showcased their operational readiness through dynamic demonstrations, including Krav Maga combat drills, rappelling, and precision skill-at-arms displays evidence of their preparedness for real-world security operations.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Regiment Training Centre, Air Commodore C.O. Olayera, lauded the NAF leadership for its unwavering commitment to developing a professional and capable regiment, noting that the training would significantly boost the Force’s capacity to safeguard critical assets and contribute effectively to joint operations nationwide.
The event was graced by top military officers and dignitaries, including the Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command, Air Vice Marshal A.A. Shinkafi; representatives of the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army; Commandant, NAF School of Infantry; Director of Regiment, Air Commodore S.S. Lazarus; other senior NAF Commanders and retired officers.
Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Nigerian Air Force assured Nigerians of continued inter-agency collaboration in the collective fight against terrorism, insurgency, and criminality, while remaining resolute in upholding democratic values and protecting the sovereignty of the nation.