Nigerian Air Force Airlifts Hundreds of Junior Airmen and Airwomen from Jos to Strategic Locations Nationwide

In a significant logistical operation underscoring its commitment to personnel welfare and operational efficiency, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully airlifted hundreds of Junior Airmen and Junior Airwomen from the Air Force Military School (AFMS) and the Air Force Girls Military School (AFGMS) in Jos, Plateau State, to various destinations across Nigeria.

The large-scale airlift operation, which commenced earlier this week, involved the deployment of several NAF transport aircraft, including the C-130 Hercules and the Dornier 228, as part of a carefully coordinated mission to ensure safe and timely movement of junior personnel to their designated bases and postings nationwide.

According to a statement from Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, the exercise was executed in line with NAF’s ongoing efforts to maintain troop mobility and support the development and morale of its personnel. “The successful airlift of these young airmen and airwomen is a testament to the Nigerian Air Force’s strategic planning and capability in managing logistics on a national scale. It also reflects the service's commitment to nurturing its future leaders and ensuring that they are well-positioned across different formations to continue their growth and training,” Gabkwet said.

The operation included students from both AFMS and AFGMS, two of the most prestigious military educational institutions in Nigeria, known for their high standards of discipline, academic excellence, and military training. Many of the airmen and airwomen who participated in the airlift have recently completed various phases of their military and academic training, and are now being deployed to air force bases, technical schools, and other military institutions for further training or active service roles.

Sources within the Air Force revealed that this logistical operation was planned months in advance, with careful attention paid to air safety, logistics coordination, and the welfare of the personnel. NAF medical teams and logistics officers were on hand throughout the process to ensure that the transition was smooth and that all safety protocols were strictly adhered to.

Family members and well-wishers gathered at the Air Force Base in Jos to bid farewell to the departing personnel, many of whom were visibly excited about their new postings. Some were headed to bases in Lagos, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Abuja, among others.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, in a separate statement, commended the young personnel for their dedication and encouraged them to remain focused and committed to the core values of the Nigerian Air Force — integrity, service before self, and excellence. He also lauded the logistical and operations teams for executing the airlift seamlessly.

This airlift exercise comes at a time when the Nigerian military is ramping up its internal capacity and mobility in response to ongoing security challenges across the country. Analysts say this move also demonstrates the NAF’s emphasis on ensuring that its youngest and most promising personnel are equipped with diverse experiences and exposures, crucial for building a modern and responsive air force.

As the airlift operation concludes, the Nigerian Air Force reiterated its resolve to continue investing in the education, training, and welfare of its junior and senior personnel alike — laying the foundation for a stronger, more capable force.