The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on Thursday, undertook a strategic operational visit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he commissioned key infrastructure projects, inspected critical operational facilities, and reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s vital oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta. During the visit to the 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), the home of NAF’s combat helicopters, the CAS commissioned newly constructed and renovated facilities including a modern briefing room complex and other building blocks designed to enhance operational planning and command coordination. He also inspected the runway and apron VIP areas, aircraft hangar, and the NAF Hospital, noting that modern infrastructure remains essential to sustaining high operational standards and mission effectiveness.
As part of his engagements, Air Marshal Aneke paid a maiden courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, where he expressed appreciation for the State Government’s sustained support to the Nigerian Air Force. The CAS acknowledged the State’s contributions, including the handover of an Agusta 139 helicopter, the rehabilitation and resurfacing of the runway and aprons at NAF Base Port Harcourt, the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the Base, and the provision of two blocks of twelve two-bedroom residential accommodation units for NAF personnel. In his response, Governor Fubara commended the Nigerian Air Force for its critical role in protecting strategic national assets and combating economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, while assuring the CAS of his administration’s continued support in strengthening the operational presence of the Service in the State.
Addressing officers, airmen and airwomen during a durbar at the Base, the CAS reiterated his command philosophy: “to enhance and sustain a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces for the realisation of national security objectives.” He emphasised that personnel welfare remains central to operational success and noted that the Nigerian Air Force is accelerating infrastructure and accommodation projects across its bases nationwide. The CAS also commended the leadership and personnel of 115 Special Operations Group for their operational achievements, particularly the execution of 495 missions in 2025 in support of counter–illegal bunkering operations, protection of critical oil infrastructure, and other national security tasks, urging them to continue to “fly smart” by ensuring that every mission is anchored on timely and actionable intelligence to deliver measurable operational results.
