The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Wednesday displayed its fighter aircrafts, accoutrements and other facilities to the public as ‘Open Day’ activities to commemorate its 61st Anniversary Celebration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NAF had announced the ‘Open Day’ as one of the activities lined up to celebrate the 2025 edition.
NAN also reports that the platforms on display at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja include Super Tucano, Maritime Patrol LTR42-500 aircraft, L39 Alpha jets and Bell EC135 Helicopter.
Speaking of the activity, the Commander, 307 Executive Airlift Group Abuja, Air Commodore Mohammed Ahmed, said it was a good thing having civilians to see what the Air Force does.
Ahmed said the NAF saw itself as part of the larger society and owned by the people as well, hence the need to open its doors to Nigerians to see what they are and what they do.
“As the air force is to us, that is how the air force is to you. It is taxpayers’ money being used to buy these airplanes and pay our salary.
“So we appreciate you all. And that is why the Chief of the Air Staff wants us to bring you in so that you can see what your money is being used for.
“Now when we are taking pictures, I saw a young man coming up and his father was saying, come to the future.
“Hopefully one day I will see him and celebrate him as a pilot in Nigeria. So that’s what we are doing here now for today.
One of the visitors, Mr Victor Dickson, a Business Consultant, said it made sense to compare what the air force was before and now, saying what the NAF did had been shrouded in secrecy.
According to him, the only thing people know are just planes, people that wear uniforms but we don’t even understand the rank and where they are situated around the country.
“But here we are for the first time in my life, with my wife and my children, having the opportunity to have air force officers introducing themselves to us.
“They are introducing their uniforms, what they use their different uniforms for, and how they are positioned around the country. And then here again I am at the hangar now, seeing their aircraft.
“I think one of them that stood out for me today was when the senior officer used the word, he said, ‘we know we use your taxpayers’ money,’’ he said.
Dickson described the statement by the NAF officer as a sense of accountability, adding that the open day had provided him the opportunity to see the Nigerian air force at work.
He thanked the leadership of the Nigerian air force for creating avenues for the citizens to connect with their military.
A student from Nigerian Tulip International College Abuja, Stephanie Martin-Sini, said it was interesting to see how the NAF works.
She said they had the opportunity to meet pilots, nurses and doctors, as well as being enlightened on the types of aircraft being used by the air force. (NAN)
