Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Senator Iroegbu - All Africa(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 21, 2013: Abuja — Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in continuation of its forces deployment to Mali has sent two Alpha Jets to strengthen the ECOWAS intervention force battling extremist rebel forces in Mali's northern flank.
The Air Component Commander, Air Vice Marshal Tayo Oguntoyinbo, led the Alpha Jet team and flew to Niamey, in Niger Republic, where they will be based during the Mali operations.
Accordingly, the team of fighter pilots was seen off by the Chief of Training and Operations at Nigerian Air Force headquarters, AVM Dickson Dillimono, as they flew out of Abuja for Niamey.
Speaking to journalists before the take-off of the fighter jets, the Director of Information and Public Relations, NAF, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, disclosed that the next deployment of Nigerian Air Force Mi-35 Helicopters from Nigeria to Mali will take place later today.
Anas also revealed that the NAF C-130 aircraft have continued to airlift Nigerian Army personnel and equipment to Mali.
He said: "We went to drop our regiment personnel from Port Harcourt, Rivers state to Mali yesterday (Thursday). This afternoon (Friday), we are having our Alpha Jets which will start their movement down to Mali.
"Yesterday the CAS (Bade) went to Port Harcourt to be able to administer the movement of our own troops to Mali and today we are witnessing the Alpha Jets that will be moving to Mali this afternoon.
"You will see the briefing of the team of pilots (team of four pilots led by AVM Omotoyinbo), after that they will start their aircraft and deploy straight to Mali via Niamey, Niger Republic."
The two fighter jets, Alpha Jets NAF 455 and NAF 452 Dassault-Brguft Donnier 78 are said to be the game-changer that helped ECOMOG forces led by Nigeria contain Charles Taylor and his forces during the Liberian conflict.
Military sources said the jets also played a similar role in the Sierra Leonean civil war and ensured that peace was enforced at the West African sister country.
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To hasten the patrol of the Nigerian coastal waters, the NAF boss said the Federal Government had authorised and also paid for the procurement of the two ATR42 combat Aircraft, which would arrive the country's shore in the coming year.
According to him, immediately the Aircraft were delivered, criminals would have no hiding place on the Nigerian territorial waterways.
Petinrin noted that his visit to the Logistics Command Headquarters was as a result of its critical importance to the existence of the Armed Forces worldwide.
Owing to the success of recent several military operations that bordered on multi-national exercises in Lagos, especially the visit of the U.S. and France Naval ships, the CAS explained that the Air Force played significant roles in the area of communication support during the joint exercises with the Nigerian counterparts.
The CAS added that a huge chunk of the 2009 budget earmarked for the Air Force, with the active support of the Federal Government, would be directed on the purchase of new Aircraft, while the grounded ones on its fleets would be brought back in proper shapes.
Technically, the Air Force chief said there was no fleet that was completely grounded.
However, Petinrin, thanked Mr. President for sharing in the vision of the service, saying the Federal Government has always been supportive in all areas, particularly at resuscitating the Nigerian Air Force and as well, make it combat-ready to defend the territorial integrity of the nation, both internally and externally.
He pledged that the agenda of his team to the Federal Government and good people of the country had been to see that the Aircraft fly and fight and be able to deliver.
