The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced that 1,190 recruits from the Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 44/2023 are scheduled to graduate on Saturday at the NAF Base in Kaduna.
The Commandant of the Military Training Centre (MTC), Air Commodore Hadi Ahmed, disclosed this during the Beating of the Retreat ceremony held in honor of the recruits on Thursday.
Ahmed highlighted that the training aligns with the Chief of Air Staff’s philosophy of “Deliberate Training and Mission-Oriented Force Development,” emphasizing six core objectives: physical fitness, mental alertness, weapon handling, field training, discipline, regimentation, and teamwork. He added that recruits were also trained on internal security duties, dangers of drug abuse, and provided with a clean and functional living environment.
Ahmed expressed gratitude to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, for his support in ensuring the training objectives were met.
Air Vice Marshal Usman Abdullahi, Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command and Guest of Honor, explained the significance of the Beating of the Retreat, a military tradition dating back to 16th-century England, marking the end of formal training for recruits.
“The Nigerian Air Force has adapted its training syllabus to include contemporary asymmetric warfare, preparing recruits for the complexities of modern conflicts,” Abdullahi said.
He urged the recruits to prioritize loyalty to Nigeria’s Constitution and civil authority while maintaining discipline and professional excellence. “Always uphold the values of the Nigerian Air Force and defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity at all costs,” he added.
Abdullahi congratulated award recipients, encouraging them to continue striving for excellence, while advising others to remain motivated. “Completing this rigorous course is a significant achievement. Be good ambassadors of the MTC and make the NAF a shining example in the sub-region,” he said.
The graduation ceremony will mark a significant milestone in the recruits’ journey into the Nigerian Air Force.
(www.nannews.ng)
