ABUJA — Chief of Air  Staff, Air Marshall Adesola Amosu, said yesterday that the Nigerian Air Force, naf, has recorded some giant strides in the last one year leading to the current successful onslaught against Boko Haram terrorists in every part of the North-East where they have hitherto held sway.

Speaking on the celebration of 51st anniversary of the force in Abuja, which also marks his second anniversary as the 19th Chief of the Air Staff, Amosun said: “I am happy to inform you that so much have been achieved for the NAF within the period under review.”

In addition, he said the NAF has successfully installed and programmed newly acquired Harris 7850 multiband radios in the North-East to aid operations against insurgency.

Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu

An elated Amosun also reiterated achievements relating to reactivation and restoration of existing platforms. Some of the existing platforms reactivated within the period under review include the C-130 aircraft, Super Puma Helicopter Gunship and DO-228.

The NAF, which has been playing a pivotal role in the battle against terrorism also successfully conducted periodic deport maintenance and A-Check of Alpha Jet aircraft, C-130H aircraft, Mi-35P Heli and G-222 aircraft while also providing adequate spares for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of aircraft.

He recalled that NAF was formally established April 18, 1964 with the passage of the Air Force Act 1964 by the Nigerian Parliament with the objectives of defending the Federal Republic by air and giving effective training to its personnel in the air as well as on the ground.

Over the years he noted, the NAF has progressively grown to its present enviable position and has proudly justified its existence by performing its constitutional roles.