By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday signalled a decisive shift in its operational posture, as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, launched a renewed strategic direction built on air-power dominance, welfare-driven combat readiness and intelligence-focused operations during his first operational visit to Tactical Air Command (TAC), Makurdi.
The high-stakes visit part of the CAS’s ongoing nationwide tour of frontline units brought clarity to his leadership approach: a calibrated blend of upgraded combat capability, improved human capital investment, and sharpened mission execution.
Addressing a packed durbar of officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff, Air Marshal Aneke unveiled the operational intent shaping his tenure.
His command philosophy, concise but weighty, aims to “enhance and sustain a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power effects in synergy with surface forces.”
He acknowledged that Nigeria’s security landscape has become more volatile, requiring a force that is agile, disciplined, and strategically synchronized with ground troops.
“Tactical Air Command remains indispensable,” he declared, pointing to its backbone role in Operation WHIRL STROKE and multiple air-ground operations. “Your courage and professionalism inspire confidence across the country.”
While commending personnel for their frontline contributions, the CAS issued a clear warning: this is no time for complacency.
The security environment, he stressed, is evolving too rapidly.
“To retain the initiative in today’s complex space, we must ensure the highest levels of aircraft serviceability, weapons readiness and personnel proficiency.”
He directed commanders to intensify operations against banditry in TAC’s area of responsibility while sustaining support across all theatres an instruction many interpret, as a signal of upcoming mission escalation.
In a shift that aligns morale with mission outcomes, Air Marshal Aneke reinforced his welfare-first doctrine, insisting that operational excellence cannot be achieved without a motivated and well-supported workforce.
He committed headquarters to:
prompt payment of allowances
improved living and working conditions
strengthened medical and administrative systems
The CAS encouraged direct communication from personnel, promising a structured system that prioritises the most urgent concerns.
“Your welfare impacts our fighting power. While we cannot solve everything at once, we will deal with the most pressing issues transparently and consistently.”
Air Marshal Aneke highlighted the Service’s transition toward technology-backed operations, an approach fortified by the Federal Government’s recent investments in modern aircraft, armaments, ISR platforms, and advanced training programmes.
He underscored three focal points:
intelligence-led operations
disciplined, data-based mission planning
strengthened safety culture across all bases
“Government has given us unprecedented support. It is our duty to justify that trust with measurable results.”
The message was unmistakable: the era of guess-based operations is over; precision, efficiency and accountability must define every mission.
Responding to the CAS’s charge, the Air Officer Commanding TAC, Air Vice Marshal Patrick Obeya, pledged total alignment with the new vision.
He commended the CAS for offering strategic clarity and reaffirmed that TAC personnel remain “fully motivated to deliver decisive air power wherever the nation requires.”
The CAS concluded with a commitment to build an Air Force that is secure, motivated and operationally dominant.
“Together, we will build a force that is agile, innovative, and capable of delivering air-power effects across all theatres,” he said, drawing applause from personnel.
The Makurdi visit deliberate, strategic and welfare-focused signals a significant recalibration of Nigeria’s air-power posture, setting the tone for a service gearing up for sharper precision, broader reach and deeper integration in the nation’s evolving security battlespace.
