The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commissioned the reactivated Super Puma helicopter (NAF 565) at 205 Rotary Wing, Ikeja, Lagos on 4 February 2026, as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the Service’s resolve to sustain decisive airpower in defence of the nation.
Speaking at the ceremony, the CAS described the event as a powerful symbol of renewed capability and institutional focus.
“This occasion is not merely about the return of an aircraft to our fleet, but a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to enhance and sustain a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force,” he stated, and noted that the restoration of legacy platforms remains central to strengthening national security.
The CAS expressed profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for steadfast support toward airpower development.
He emphasized that the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda continues to translate into tangible capability gains for the NAF through strategic acquisitions and the restoration of critical assets. According to him, the Super Puma’s return reflects deliberate efforts to ensure the Air Force remains fully prepared to discharge its constitutional responsibilities and maintain operational superiority across multiple theatres.
Highlighting the aircraft’s operational value, the CAS described the Super Puma as one of the most versatile rotary-wing platforms in the NAF inventory. “The Super Puma is a workhorse whose role is second to none in the Nigerian Air Force,” he said, stressing its importance in troop transport, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, and logistics support. He added that the platform had proven its worth in Operation Hadin Kai and other joint missions, and that its return would significantly enhance maritime security operations in Lagos while reinforcing counterinsurgency and anti-banditry efforts nationwide.
Commending the teams behind the reactivation, the CAS extoled the consultant, retired Air Commodore TA Badru, alongside the Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command and technicians of 205 Rotary Wing for their professionalism and resilience.
He urged personnel responsible for operating and maintaining the aircraft to uphold strict safety and maintenance standards. “Let it reflect our strong culture of airmanship, maintenance and pride,” he charged, emphasizing that mission readiness depends on discipline and accountability. He also acknowledged the fiscal support enabled by the National Assembly, describing inter-institutional cooperation as vital to sustaining operational momentum.
During a durbar with officers, airmen, and airwomen of collocated units at Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, the CAS reflected on his first 100 days in office and outlined measurable gains in operational tempo. He linked improved aircraft serviceability to tighter synchronization between logistics and operations, while revealing that the NAF is fast-tracking the induction of advanced combat platforms. “These state-of-the-art platforms will provide us with unprecedented precision strike capabilities and regional deterrence,” he assured personnel adding that sustained modernization remains a priority.
A statement signed on 4 February 2026 by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, noted that the CAS reiterated the importance of personnel welfare, as inseparable from operational effectiveness.
While acknowledging that several accommodation projects were initiated by his predecessor, he pledged to accelerate their completion to address housing deficits affecting personnel.
Guided by the principle of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare,” he assured airmen of continued improvements in allowances, medical support, and working conditions. Concluding his engagements, the CAS urged personnel to remain disciplined, innovative, and mission-focused as operations intensify nationwide, reaffirming that the Nigerian Air Force will continue to justify the confidence of the Government and people of Nigeria.
