Air chief commends pilots on crashed NAF aircraft

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Air chief commends pilots on crashed NAF aircraft

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has commended the two Nigerian Air Force pilots who flew the FT-7NI trainer aircraft that crashed in Makurdi, Benue State last Friday.

The PUNCH reported that the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crashed while on routine training.

The two pilots onboard were said to have ejected from the trainer aircraft alive and had been flown to Abuja for medical treatment.

The spokesman for NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that the pilots were flown to Abuja for medical treatment on the order of the Chief of Air Staff.

He added that the CAS visited the pilots on Monday, during which he commended them for their courage and commitment to the service.

Gabkwet said, “The CAS, yesterday, July 17, 2023, visited the two NAF pilots who successfully ejected from the crashed FT-7NI trainer aircraft, which occurred on Friday, July 14, 2023, in Makurdi.

“The pilots, who were flown to Abuja on the directive of the CAS for extra medical care and attention, were in stable condition and recuperating well after ejecting from the ill-fated aircraft.”

He added that the CAS was happy to see the pilots in high spirits.

“The CAS, who was accompanied by the NAF Chief of Medical Services Air Vice Marshal Anthony Ekpe, expressed delight on seeing the pilots who were in high spirits and looking forward to getting back on their feet and resuming work as soon as possible.

“Abubakar commended them for their courage and commitment to ongoing training efforts in view of NAF’s counterinsurgency and counterterrorism commitments while assuring them of NAF’s readiness at providing them with the best of medical care to ensure their quick recovery,” he added.