ADF STAFF
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is prepared to help Liberia with technical support, engineering and training as it seeks to rebuild its Air Force.
Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, Nigerian chief of air staff, made a statement during a visit by Liberian Maj. Gen. Prince Charles Johnson III to NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
“Whenever you have pilots for further training, rest assured that our training schools are open for them to become full-fledged pilots under the Nigerian Air Force pilots training program,” Amao said.
He went on to advise the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to take advantage of NAF’s technical and engineering schools for non-pilot courses such as air traffic control and ground support crew. Nigeria also pledged to support the AFL with airlift capability for its contingent deployed to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.
Liberia’s Air Force was dissolved in 2005 as the country emerged from a civil war and began to rebuild its armed forces.
Gen. Lucky Irabor, Nigeria’s chief of defense staff, stressed that it is Nigeria’s commitment that “we help you to build the capacity that is required to undertake the responsibilities of the defense and security of Liberia.”
Johnson said Liberia’s strategic military objective is to establish an Air Wing or Air Reconnaissance Unit for the AFL as prescribed by Liberia’s National Defense Act, which is yet to be actualized.
“Our visit here is to see how we can cement the relationship, how we can tap on the Nigerian experience, how we can request more training opportunities, looking at the contemporary threats we have in our region, and to be prepared as a force for good,” Johnson said.