Air Force boss reiterates commitment to safety for effective operation… 

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reiterated its commitment to enhancing Safety Management Systems across all its units with a special focus on operational and engineering units.

Chief of The Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar made the disclosure while declaring open the year 2023 NAF Safety Review Board (SRB) meeting earlier today, at NAF Headquarters Abuja.

Air Marshal Abubakar noted that safety management in the NAF is a major priority and core function in view of the technical and complex nature of assigned tasks and roles of the Service.

He also stated that his resolve to, ‘Transform the NAF into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the airpower demands of national security in all operational environment’ can best be achieved with safety as the bedrock.

Speaking further, the CAS reiterated his commitment to ensuring continuous improvement in safety standards through deliberate programmes aimed at enhancing flight safety as well as occupational and domestic safety in the NAF.

He equally used the opportunity to appreciate the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration towards equipping the NAF with modern platforms in furtherance of efforts against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of criminality in various parts of the country.

He then went on to state that some of the platforms acquired by the Federal Government have arrived the country and will soon boost the NAF’s combat capabilities as well as help in increasing its operational tempo hence the need for safety vigilance.

He then called for a proactive management of safety in all units and commands and specifically directed operational units where newly acquire NAF aircraft would be domiciled to commence the process of aggressively identifying hazards associated with the arrival and operations of the new platforms and finding ways to manage the risks involved.

The CAS, who is also the Chairman of the NAF Safety Review Board further emphasized the need for field Commanders to ensure that the safety trainings translate to the development of positive safety culture, improvement in safety practices as well as creation of awareness that safety is the responsibility of all personnel.