Air Chief Harps on Indigenous Solutions to Enhance Operations
By Lawrence Bilal Audu
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, has emphasized the importance of leveraging local partnerships to advance the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) operational capabilities.
During his operational tour of NAF establishments in Lagos, Air Marshal Abubakar visited Caverton Helicopters Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility on December 13, 2024. The visit aimed to evaluate progress on the ongoing 2,500-hour and 5-year major inspections of NAF Bell-412 helicopters (NAF 599 and NAF 600) ¹.
Air Marshal Abubakar commended Caverton’s technical expertise and cutting-edge facilities, expressing satisfaction with the quality of work being done. He noted that NAF 600 was near operational readiness, while NAF 599 was 70% complete. The CAS emphasized the importance of indigenous expertise in advancing NAF’s operational capabilities and fostering sustainable aviation solutions.
The Chief Executive Officer of Caverton Helicopters, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola, assured the CAS of the company’s readiness to continue delivering top-notch services to support NAF operations. He highlighted the facility’s achievements in overhauling critical helicopter components and noted the value of the NAF partnership in strengthening Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The visit underscored the strategic importance of indigenous collaborations in bolstering national security and advancing Nigeria’s aviation sector. By leveraging local partnerships, the NAF can reduce reliance on foreign services, enhance fleet maintenance, and build national capacity for aircrew training and technical development.
