NAF Establishes
NAF Establishes Combat Reconnaissance Group in
Gombe
As part of concerted efforts to emplace structures to more
effectively deal with the security challenges in the North East and
indeed the entire Country, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today, 7
September 2020, flagged off the construction of infrastructure for
a newly established Unit, the 203 Combat Reconnaissance Group (203
CRG), in Gombe State. The new Unit, which would serve as the Base
for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and other air assets, is
expected to bring new capabilities to the spectrum of the NAF’s
operations thereby further enhancing the ability of the Service to
contain threats to the nation and its citizens.
Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony, which had the
Executive Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, as
the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH), the Chief of the Air Staff
(CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, stated that the newly
established Base which sits on 230 hectares of land donated by the
Gombe State Government, is strategically located to enable the NAF
more effectively respond to contingencies in the North East. He
noted that the establishment of the Unit would add significant
value to the operations of the Service in the fight against
insurgency and other security challenges in the Country. The CAS
stated further that, in line with his Vision for the Service
upon assumption of Office in 2015, the NAF organizational structure
had been expanded from the erstwhile 4 Commands to 6 with the
creation of 2 new Field Commands, one of which is the Special
Operations Command (SOC) headquartered in Bauchi, as well as
several new units including some Quick Response Groups and Quick
Response Wings, to bring security closer to the people of Nigeria.
These new units, he said, included those located at Gembu in Taraba
State; Gusau in Zamfara State; Owerri in Imo State; Agatu in Benue
State Kerang in Plateau State; Ipetu Ijesha in Osun State; Lafia in
Nasarawa State as well as Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, amongst
others. Air Marshal Abubakar also noted that, in response to the
security imperatives in the North East of the Country, the NAF had
particularly expanded its facilities at the Headquarters of the Air
Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in Maiduguri, Borno State as
well as at the NAF Base in Yola, Adamawa State, while a Unit had
been established in Damaturu, Yobe State. “These new units and
expansions, coupled with others carried out across the Country,
have undoubtedly enhanced the capacity of the NAF to ensure that
Nigeria is secured and our citizens are able to pursue their
legitimate aspirations without fear”, he added.
Speaking further, the CAS noted that the establishment of the
Base in Gombe was yet another clear testimony of the Federal
Government’s commitment to overcoming the security challenges in
the North East and indeed the entire Country. “The Commander, as
well as the first set of personnel to man the Unit, are already
posted to Gombe and, in the days and weeks ahead, they will work
with the State Government to ensure that the Group is ready to
commence active operations in the shortest possible time”, he
added
While pledging that the NAF would continue to work assiduously
for the security and unity of the Nation, the CAS expressed
appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Armed Forces
of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his continued support
to the Service towards the achievement of its desired Air Power
objectives. He also thanked the National Assembly, especially the
Chairman and members of Senate and House Committees on Air Force,
for their support the Service. Air Marshal Abubakar also specially
appreciated the Gombe State Governor for allocating the 230
Hectares of land to the NAF as well as for the support of the
Government and good people of the State towards the actualization
of the project. The CAS equally commended the dedication,
sacrifices and commitment of NAF personnel while urging them to
remain focused and redouble their efforts to ensure that peace is
restored to all troubled parts of the Country.
In his remarks, the SGOH, the Executive Governor of Gombe State,
while commending the CAS for his excellent record and sterling
leadership of the NAF which had resulted in giant strides,
expressed great delight at the efforts put in place by the Service
to fast-track the establishment of a Base in Gombe State on land
that was allocated barely a month ago. The Governor also applauded
the quality of Air Marshal Abubakar’s leadership of the NAF as
portrayed in the prudent management of scarce resources. He noted
that, the NAF had been involved in numerous operations to restore
security across the Country with commendable results. He added that
the 203 CRG would surely change the dynamics of combating
insurgency in the North East and internal security operations in
Gombe State. The Governor therefore thanked the C-in-C as well as
members of the National Assembly for appropriating and approving
the funds for establishment of the Base in Gombe. Governor Yahaya
expresses optimism that the take-off of the Base would result in
job opportunities for the host communities while further boosting
the excellent relationship between the NAF and the Gombe people. He
disclosed that the State Government, on its part, would continue to
provide necessary support to ensure the smooth operations of the
Unit.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC)
SOC, Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo, while appreciating the CAS for
his untiring support which had enabled the Command to keep pace in
tackling the various security challenges within its Areas of
Responsibility, noted that the 203 CRG Gombe would further enhance
the NAF’s ability to meet the demands of the changing security
environment while covering some of the capacity gaps in its counter
insurgency and anti-banditry operations. According to him, “The
actualisation of this Group would ensure that adequate situational
awareness is maintained across the various theatres, thereby
enhancing our air operations in the fight against insecurity for
the overall well-being of the citizens”. The AOC added that the
siting of the Group in Gombe would also add to the maintenance of
internal security posture in the State, in collaboration with other
security agencies, whilst also impacting positively on the host
community, through various civil-military relations activities.
Other dignitaries at the ground breaking ceremony were the Gombe
State Deputy Governor, Dr Manasa Daniel; Speaker of Gombe State
House of Assembly, Honourable Sadiq Ibrahim Kurba, and other
members of the State House of Assembly; the Secretary to the Gombe
State Government and other top Gombe State functionaries; the
Chairman of Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, Alhaji Dr
Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III; as well as Branch Chiefs and Directors
from the NAF Headquarters and other senior military officers.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations & Information
Nigerian Air Force
7 September 2020