The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in collaboration with the British Military Advisory Training Team, has trained 145 Advanced Special Forces operatives known as Nigerian Air Force Panthers to be deployed to troubled areas to help in tackling security challenges bedevilling the country.
Out of the 285 personnel nominated for the course, 150 were found fit but 145 graduated at the end of the course.
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Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Advanced Special Operations Course 1/2022 at the Regiment Training Centre Annex, Special Operations Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Bauchi, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, expressed optimism that the graduating students have imbibed the necessary skills required to conduct special operations pursuant to achieving the operational objectives of the Nigerian Air Force.
Amao, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo, said that in furtherance of his vision of enhancing and sustaining critical airpower capabilities required for joint force employment in pursuit of national security imperatives, the Nigerian Air Force has so far trained about 5,000 Regiment and 2,000 Special Operations Forces personnel.
The Commander, British Military Advisory Training Team, Col. Rory Shannon, described the United Kingdom’s relationship with Nigeria and its military as “deep-rooted and very strong.”
