Nigerian Air Force
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 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (December 2006) |
| Nigerian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 1964 |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of the Air Staff | Air Marshal Oluseyi Petirin |
The Nigerian Air Force is the air arm of the Nigerian military. It is one of the largest in West Africa, consisting of 100+ fighter aircraft including SEPECAT Jaguars, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21s, and Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jets, and a handful of Russian made bombers and military transport aircraft. However in recent years many of them are no longer airworthy.
In 2005 it was reported that Nigeria has approved $251 million USD to purchase 15 Chengdu F-7 fighters from China. The deal includes 12 F-7NI (NI = Nigeria) single seat fighters, and 3 FT-7NI dual-seat trainers. [1] The $251 ($252?) million package includes $220 million for 15 aircraft, plus $32 million for armaments, including 20 live PL-9C AAM, 10 training PL-9 rounds, unguided rockets, and 250 kg bombs. Nigerian pilots began their training in China in 2008, with delivery of the aircraft to begin in 2009. [2]
Nigeria had previously considered a $160 million deal to refurbish its fleet of MiG-21's by Aerostar/Elbit Systems, IAI, and RSK MiG. However, with the new F-7 purchase, the government of Nigeria has decided to scrap the refurbish option and grounded its fleet of MiG 21's.
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[edit] History
Although the Air Force was originally proposed in 1958, many lawmakers preferred to rely on the United Kingdom for air defence. But during peacekeeping operations in Congo and Tanganyika, the Nigerian Army had no air transport of their own, and in so 1962 the government began to recruit cadets for pilot training in various foreign countries, with the first 10 learning from the Ethiopian Air Force.
The Nigerian Air Force was formally established in January 1964 with technical assistance from West Germany. The air force started life as a transport unit with aircrew being trained in Canada, Ethiopia and India.
The head of the West German Assistance Group was Colonel G Kahz, and he became the first commander of the NAF. The nucleus of the NAF was thus established with the formation of the Nigerian Air Force headquarters at the Ministry of Defence.
The air force did not get a combat capability until a number of MiG-17 aircraft were presented by the Soviet Union in 1966. Further soviet fighters and bombers were delivered during the Nigerian Civil War, although most were destroyed on the ground or written off. Many of the MiGs were flown by Egyptian pilots.
[edit] Chiefs of the Air Staff
The following have served as Chief of the Air Staff, the senior appointment in the Nigerian Air Force:[3]
| Year | Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 - 1965 | Colonel | Gerhard Kahtz |
| 1965 - 1966 | Colonel | W Timming |
| 1966 - 1967 | Lieutenant Colonel | George Tamunosyowunam Kurubo |
| 1967 - 1969 | Colonel | Shittu A Alao |
| 1969 - 1975 | Brigadier | Emmanuel E Ikwue |
| 1975 - 1980 | Air Vice-Marshal | John Nmadu Yisa-Doko |
| 1980 - 1983 | Air Vice-Marshal | Abdullahi Dominic Bello |
| 1983 - 1990 | Air Marshal | Ibrahim Mahmud Alfa |
| 1990 - 1992 | Air Vice-Marshal | Nuraini Oladimeji Omotosho Yussuff |
| 1996 - 1998 | Air Vice Marshal | Femi John Femi |
| 1998 - 1998 | Air Marshal | Nsikak-Abasi Essien Eduok |
| 1999 - 2001 | Air Marshal | Isaac Mohammed Alfa |
| 2001 - 2006 | Air Marshal | Jonah Wuyep |
| 2006 - 2008 | Air Marshal | Paul Dike |
Rank shown are those held whilst the officer was commanding the NAF.
[edit] Rank Structure
The NAF's rank structure is similar RAF's rank structure from where its ranks were derived.
[edit] Officers
In descending order of importance the NAF officer ranks are:
- Marshal of the Air Force
- Air Chief Marshal
- Air Marshal
- Air Vice Marshal
- Air Commodore
- Group Captain
- Wing Commander
- Squadron Leader
- Flight Lieutenant
- Flying Officer
- Pilot Officer
[edit] Airmen
In descending order of importance the NAF airman ranks are:
- Air Warrant Officer
- Master Warrant Officer
- Warrant Officer
- Flight Sergeant
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Lance Corporal
- Aircraftman
[edit] Aircraft Inventory
- Combat Aircraft
- 15 Chengdu F-7 Airguard (12 F-7NI, 3 FT-7NI)[1]
- 18 SEPECAT Jaguar (13 Jaguar SNs & 5 Jaguar BNs)
- 32 MiG-21 (grounded, to be retired)
- Light Attack And Advanced Trainers
- Trainers
- Transport Aircraft
- 5 Alenia G.222 (being refurbished by Alenia)[2]
- 1 Boeing 707
- 1 Boeing 727
- 1 Boeing 737
- 1 BAe 125
- 2 Dassault Falcon 900
- 9 Dornier Do 228
- 6 Fokker F27 Friendship
- 1 Fokker F28 Fellowship
- 1 Gulfstream II
- 1 Gulfstream IV
- 9 Lockheed C-130 Hercules
- Helicopters
- 7 Agusta A 109
- 14 Hughes 300
- 24 MBB Bo 105
- 6 Mil Mi-24 Hind
- 9 Mil Mi-34 Hermit
- Transport Helicopters
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[edit] References
- Michael I. Draper and Frederick Forsyth, Shadows: Airlift and Airwar in Biafra and Nigeria 1967-1970 (Howell Press, 2000) ISBN 1-902109-63-5
[edit] External links
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