The top echelon of the Nigerian Air force (NAF) has in the midst of its inauguration of a Bell 412 utility helicopter, an aircraft, configured to boost NAF operational fleet in the war against insecurity and insurgency paid condolence visit to commiserate with the family of late Air Vice Marshal OG Martin who died in Lagos on Saturday Oct 28 2017 .
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar who was at the Parkview Estate Ikoyi home of the rtd senior officer along with senior serving and retired officers said he was shocked by the sudden demise of the senior officer. He eulogized the contributions of AVM Olufunsho Martin to the NAF while in active service, praying “may God grant you the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss” while signing the condolence register.
The CAS signing the condolence register
A younger brother of the deceased, rtd Squadron Leader Biodun Martin in the company of sympathisers including the late officer’s course mates, friends and relatives expressed the appreciation of the family to the CAS and the entire NAF family for their support of the family during their harrowing time.
The CAS consoling the wife of the late officer, Mrs Bolajoko Martin
The CAS with the wife and family members of the late officer, Mrs Bolajoko Martin
It will be recalled that rtd AVM OG Martin’s vehicle, reportedly on Saturday 28 Oct 17 on his way to his Funsho Martin Avenue, Parkview Estate collided with another on third mainland bridge in Lagos, at about 10:55pm and somersaulted before it plunged into the lagoon.
Meanwhile, the CAS who commissioned the Bell 412 utility aircraft after the condolence visit personally piloted the new aircraft on a test-run at the run-way of the 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot Ikeja Lagos, during the induction ceremony with senior officers as members of his crew.
During his inaugural address, he said the helicopter is a 13-passenger rotary wing
aircraft with numerous safety features including night vision capability
camera for ISR operations that makes it suitable for deployment in hostile
territory.
“The helicopter can be employed as a combat utility helicopter in humanitarian assistance disaster relief (HADR) operations and VVIP transportation. Given the NAF pivotal roles in the on-going CT/COIN and other IS operations, this platform could not have come at a better time than now” he stressed.
The CAS in a group photograph after commissioning the newly
configured aircraft
He provided that effort are being made at training more pilots, engineers and technicians to ensure the optimal operation of machines, ‘arrangements have also been put in place to provide the required ground support equipment for a hitch-free maintenance of the
platforms,” he added.
The CAS, while thanking the president and Commander-in- Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces for the project charged the pilots, engineers and technicians to demonstrate commensurate competence and proficiency in operating and maintaining the machines.
The Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command (AOC), AVM IJ Yahaya in his welcome address reiterated that the induction of the Bell 412 utility helicopter marked the highpoint of a series of activities which commenced some months ago with the logistics, assembling, ground checks and eventually flight tests of the Bell 412 Utility Helicopter.
He expressed appreciation to the Bell 412 crew personnel of 631 ACMD, the Army and
Navy, and the representatives of Bell Company who are NAF technical
partners, Africiair incorporated numerous government agencies for their
support towards actualization of the feat.
The AOC added that “it will be recalled that 3 months back, precisely Aug 17, the NAF with the assistance of the Pakistani Air force inducted 5 x Super Mushak into her fleet in
Kaduna” while expressing gratitude to the leadership of the service and
political leadership for their unwavering support towards repositioning the NAF for enhanced service delivery.
Present at the inauguration ceremony were representative of the Director of Air force, Ministry of Defense Abuja, Branch Chiefs and Directors from Headquarters from NAF, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Western Command, AIG Zone 2, representative of Lagos State Government, Chairman Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Alhaji Abdulrasak Balogun, the Oba of Ewuland, Ewutuntun
Lagos State and others.
By Warrant Officer Ishola Rukayat Ajoke
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