Air mishap: Air chief urges pilots not to be discourage
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has enjoined the pilot officers who participated in the rehearsal for Nigeria’s 58th Independence and Anniversary in the FCT not to be discouraged by the recent air mishap that led to the demise of Sqn.Ldr. Baba- Ari.
Sqn.Ldr. Baba- Ari was one of the pilots who successfully ejected from one of the F-7Ni aircraft that crashed on September 28, who later died due to complications from injuries sustained upon impact on the ground.
Daily times recall that the two NAF aircraft had crashed on Friday morning in the FCT when they were performing rehearsal for Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary in the territory.
The air chief spoke on Tuesday in Abuja when he met with the pilots from aircraft formations that participated in the independence rehearsal.
The aircraft formations are: The Falcons (Augusta EC 135); The Sky Halk(MI35); Diamond Pormatin(Diamond 40); Rainbow(Super Mushak), Centinel Pormatin (42 and Beechcraft) and Unity Pormatin(C130/139/Alpha Jets.
Abubakar thanked God for the opportunity granted the officers to participate in the rehearsal for aerial display on Oct.1 despite the tragic incident.
” I want us not to get discouraged or be dampened by the incident and I urge you to maintain a strong heart and do this job.No matter what, we will continue to do this job,” Abubakar said.
Abubakar added that the NAF had a responsibility to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria, and provide security to Nigerians, adding that they would continue to do their constitutional duty.
