CAS Aneke Reaffirms NAF’s Combat Readiness as Personnel Participate in Nationwide Route March Exercise (Pictures)
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to maintaining a highly combat-ready force capable of confronting and defeating all forms of security threats across the country.
This was as officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force participated in the Year 2026 Second Quarter Route March Exercise conducted simultaneously across all NAF Commands, units and formations nationwide on June 6, 2026.
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At the closing ceremony held at Headquarters NAF Camp Abuja, the CAS, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Abubakar Abdullahi, described the nationwide exercise as a demonstration of the Service’s collective commitment to physical fitness, operational preparedness and mission effectiveness.
He noted that the increasingly complex security environment requires personnel who are physically fit, mentally resilient and professionally prepared to operate effectively in diverse and challenging operational theatres. According to him, the route march remains a vital component of the NAF’s force development efforts aimed at enhancing endurance, discipline, resilience and overall combat readiness.
Air Marshal Aneke stressed that the exercise aligns with his Command Philosophy of enhancing and sustaining a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces for the achievement of national security objectives.
“The security challenges facing our country demand a force that is always prepared to respond swiftly and decisively. Physical fitness and mental toughness are fundamental attributes of military professionalism and remain key enablers of operational success,” he stated.
He further observed that beyond improving physical fitness, the route march strengthens teamwork, cohesion, discipline and esprit de corps among personnel, qualities that are indispensable in the execution of joint and air-ground operations across various theatres of operation.
To sustain these gains, the CAS directed all personnel to actively participate in weekly Wednesday sporting activities across NAF bases and formations. He explained that regular sporting engagements not only promote health and wellness but also foster unity, peaceful coexistence and talent discovery while helping personnel remain focused on their professional responsibilities.
Air Marshal Aneke also emphasised that maintaining peak physical condition among personnel is essential to sustaining the operational tempo required to combat terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, crude oil theft and other security threats confronting the nation.
The CAS expressed appreciation to President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continued support towards strengthening the operational capabilities and transformation of the Nigerian Air Force. He also commended officers, airmen and airwomen across all Commands and formations for their dedication and enthusiastic participation in the exercise.
The simultaneous conduct of the Second Quarter Route March Exercise nationwide underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering determination to maintain a fit, disciplined and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower, eliminating threats to national security and safeguarding the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
CAS Aneke Reaffirms NAF’s Combat Readiness as Personnel Participate in Nationwide Route March Exercise (Pictures)