The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Kenneth Minimah has charged the first batch of Nigerian Army student pilots to live up to the high expectations expected from them in the theatre of operations.
According to him, they must be ready to work and live with troops
wherever operational exigency demands without any thought of leaving their
chosen line of flying combat helicopters.
Lieutenant-General Minimah gave the charge while addressing the student
pilots who are currently undergoing helicopter flying training at the
International Helicopter Flying School, Enugu.
In his words “You should all be ready to, at all times, live
and work with troops wherever operational exigency demands. You should also
banish all thoughts of leaving your chosen line of flying combat helicopters.
The Nigerian Army will not train you and afterwards allow you to branch out to
other arms or services on flimsy excuses.”
Speaking during his assessment visit to the 10 Nigerian Army
student officers at the School, the COAS stated that he was pleased to hear
that the students were doing well and encouraged them to put in their utmost
best in all written and practical aspects of the course to ensure their
graduation. He informed the students that they will form the nucleus of the
newly established Nigerian Army Aviation Wing.
He further revealed that the Nigerian Army established its
Aviation Wing to complement the Nigerian Air Force based on the experiences
gathered fighting terrorists in the North Eastern region where gaps in air
support leading to reverses brought to fore the need for combat helicopters to
provide intimate support to troops.
This means apart from support from the
Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Army will have its own air support element
that will always be with the ground troops and readily provide air support
whenever required.
The COAS informed the students that the Army will ensure
their accommodation, hangar and all necessary facilities are put in place
before their graduation. He also expressed the resolve of the Nigerian Army in
ensuring that the Service gets the issue of establishing the Army Aviation Wing
right as opposed to several failed attempts in the past.
The COAS was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding 82
Division Major General Shehu Yusuf and the Chief of Staff to the Army Chief,
Brigadier General Solomon Udounwa.
He was received by the Air Secretary Air Vice Marshal CN
Chukwu, the Commander 305 Helicopter Group, Air Commodore I Yahaya and the
Rector, International Helicopter Flying School, Group Captain Ayo Jolasinmi
#VictoryNA
This material, and other digital content on
this blog-site, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from
DANTE
.jpeg)
0 Comments