The Nigerian Air Force will early this year acquire two ATR42 combat Aircrafts to patrol the nation's waterways against the activities of pirates and other criminal elements.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, who disclosed this during a visit to the Airforce Logistics Command Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos as part of his tour of Airforce commands said his men were combat ready anytime to protect the nation both externally and internally. The CAS noted that maritime operation is not the sole responsibility of the Air Force but joint efforts of all stakeholders including the Army, Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration (NIMASA), the Nigerian Navy, Marine Police and other stakeholders in the industry.
Petinrin also said that there will be tight security and patrol of the Nigerian coastal waters adding that the federal government had authorized and paid for the procurement of the two ATR42 combat Aircrafts, which would arrive the country soon.
He said with these Aircrafts and two others handed over to the Air force recently by President Shehu Musa Yar' Adua from the presidential fleet, criminals were in for a tough time along the Nigerian territorial waterways.
Petinrin who also said that he was satisfied with the performance of his men and what he saw on ground at the Logistic command noted that without logistics there is no Air force, adding that the success of recent military operations that bothered on multi-national exercises in Lagos, especially the visit of the US and France Naval ships, the Air Force played significant roles of communication support during the joint exercises with the Nigerian counterparts.
The Airforce boss said although there was no aircraft that was completely grounded in the Airforce fleet, he promised that they will purchase additional ones. He however expressed appreciation on behalf of his men to Mr. President for sharing in the vision of the service, saying the federal government has always been supportive in all areas, particularly at resuscitating the Nigerian Air Force and as well as make it combat-ready at all times.
"We will continue to fly and fight and by October 2009 we will showcase our activities and Nigerians will know that we are there for them and able to deliver," he said.
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