The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has winged 22 qualified officers and soldiers as pilots and certified maintenance engineers in order to boost its operational readiness.
The army chief, winged 22 of the 46 aircraft pilots, mission operators, engineers and technicians, trained by the Nigerian Army in Turkey.
The winging ceremony was conducted at the closing of the 2024 COAS Annual Conference held on Wednesday in Abuja.
In his remarks, the COAS said the winging of the pilots, engineers and technicians was to strengthen army’s professionalism and combat readiness, utilising his command philosophy.
“We just winged 22 qualified officers and soldiers a moment ago as pilots and certified maintenance engineers.
“Their winging is a morale booster and confirms their certification to fly and maintain the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones in our inventory.
“The Nigerian Army plans to procure additional unmanned aerial systems in the coming year to enhance its operations across all theatres.
“I am aware that Mr President is currently presenting the 2025 Budget proposal to the National Assembly for consideration and speedy passage.
“The Nigerian army looks forward to a smooth project defence and timely release of appropriated funds in the new year to facilitate its activities,” he said.
The Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, Brig.-Gen. UG Ogeleka, said the army had in 2022, sent 35 officers and 11 soldiers from Nigerian Route 3 Piloted aircraft System Regiments to train in the operation and maintenance of the Bayraktar TB2 drone in Turkey.
Ogeleka said the Nigerian government acquired 43 of the drones to support the army operation in the North West Theater.
According to him,the trained crew comprised locally piloted aircraft pilots, mission operators, avionics and mechanical engineers and technicians.
“Overall, we have 14 trained locally piloted aircraft pilots, seven mission operators and 23 engineers and technicians.
“They did the project with 46 trained pilots and technicians from Bayraktar TB2 drone.
“However, for the purpose of this wining ceremony, I want to present 22 of them because others are engaged in operational duty,” he said.
The commander said the personnel had since the deployment of Project Guideline in 2022, successfully conducted several operations including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as precision strikes within Kaduna and Niger State environment.
He revealed that the team had conducted 254 sorties and a total flight time of 1,664 from October 2022 to date.