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The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has called on newly winged pilots of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to embrace their flying qualifications as a solemn call to national duty, rather than just personal achievement.
He made this charge during the combined graduation ceremony of Basic Transport Flying Course 5 and Ab-initio Student Pilot Course 49, held at the 401 Flying Training School (FTS), Kaduna, on Thursday.
A total of 35 officers—comprising 10 graduates from the Basic Transport Flying Course and 25 from the Ab-initio Student Pilot Course—were conferred with their wings in a colourful parade witnessed by top military brass, family members, and invited dignitaries.
In his keynote address, Air Marshal Abubakar reminded the new aviators of the trust and expectations invested in them. “Earning your flying qualification is not just a personal achievement—it is a national responsibility,” he said.
“You carry not just rank and wings, but the hopes of millions of Nigerians who depend on us for their safety and security.”
He emphasized that the strength of the Nigerian Air Force is deeply rooted in the quality of its training, affirming that his leadership remains committed to modernizing training structures and strategies.
“We are upgrading our training institutions, inducting more aircraft, and evolving doctrines to meet the demands of modern warfare,” the CAS noted.
The graduation ceremony, he said, is yet another stride in the transformation of the NAF into a more agile, resilient, and technologically advanced force capable of responding to Nigeria’s complex security environment.
He praised the 401 FTS for its longstanding contribution to pilot development across West Africa and beyond, having trained over 700 pilots, not only for Nigeria but also for nations like Benin, Cape Verde, Niger, Zimbabwe, and Sierra Leone.
Concluding his remarks, Air Marshal Abubakar reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, operational excellence, and the defense of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
The event was marked by aerial displays and formal winging of the pilots, symbolizing their readiness to join the frontline in defending the nation’s airspace.
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