NAF deploys fighter jet in South East

The Nigerian Air Force has joined the ongoing

In a report by Punch, the NAF said its deployment of air assets to the operation was on a request by the army.

Speaking on the development, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, said the Alpha Jet was deployed and would operate from the air force 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said, “In line with its commitment to national peace and security, the air force has deployed some of its air assets, including the Alpha Jet aircraft, to its 115 Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt, to support the ongoing Nigerian Army’s Exercise Egwu Eke II.

“The essence of the deployment is to provide the necessary air cover for the ground troops to enhance overall operational cohesion and efficiency. The wide expanse of the exercise area and the request by the Nigerian Army for close air support made the involvement of the NAF inevitable.

“The deployment of the air assets in support of the Nigerian Army is thus in fulfilment of one of the constitutional mandates of the NAF.”

The Force made the announcement on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 saying it had deployed its fighter jet in the region to complement the Operation Python Dance.