The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has reiterated that the evolving security landscape demands highly trained and mission-ready personnel capable of responding decisively to emerging threats. He pledged the Service's commitment to supporting ongoing counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, and internal security operations aimed at protecting lives, securing communities, and preserving national stability.
Aneke stated this during the final Physical Fitness Test for trainees of Special Forces Course 13/2026, conducted by the Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA) Bauchi. The assessment formed a critical phase of the selection process, challenging trainees through a series of demanding physical and mental evaluations designed to identify those possessing the resilience, discipline, endurance, and combat mindset required for Special Forces operations.
Commitment to National Security
Aneke said, “The Nigerian Air Force will continue to train, equip, and deploy personnel capable of taking the fight to terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal elements wherever they may be found. Those who threaten innocent citizens, terrorise communities, and undermine the peace of our nation must understand that there will be no sanctuary for criminality. Our resolve is unwavering, and our commitment to protecting Nigerians remains absolute.”
The Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader Edeama Akpan, stated that the assessment was designed to ensure that only trainees who demonstrate exceptional physical fitness, determination, and operational readiness continue on the course. Akpan emphasised that Special Forces personnel are routinely required to operate under austere and hostile conditions where mission success often depends on physical endurance, mental toughness, and unwavering commitment to duty.
Key Benchmark for Preparedness
According to him, the exercise remains a key benchmark for measuring the preparedness of trainees for the rigours of special operations and future operational responsibilities. NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the final Physical Fitness Test underscored the Nigerian Air Force’s determination to maintain a highly capable force ready to support ongoing military operations across the country.
Ejodame also noted that the training reflected the Service’s commitment to producing physically fit, mentally resilient, and mission-ready Special Forces operators capable of responding effectively to contemporary security challenges. “Through sustained investment in realistic training and uncompromising standards, the NAF continues to build an elite force prepared to dominate the battlespace, protect innocent lives, and contribute decisively to the achievement of national security objectives,” he added.
