The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday flagged off the construction of a newly established Unit, the 203 Combat Reconnaissance Group (203 CRG), in Gombe State.
The new unit would serve as the Base for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and other air assets as part of efforts to effectively deal with the security challenges in the country, especially in the North East.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the newly established base, which sits on 230 hectares of land donated by the Gombe State Government, is strategically located to enable the NAF more effectively respond to contingencies in the North East.
Abubakar revealed that the NAF organizational structure had been expanded from four Commands to six with the creation of 2 new Field Commands, one of which is the Special Operations Command (SOC) headquartered in Bauchi, as well as several new units including some Quick Response Groups and Quick Response Wings.
These new units, he said, included those located at Gembu in Taraba State, Gusau in Zamfara State, Owerri in Imo State, Agatu in Benue State, Kerang in Plateau State, Ipetu Ijesha in Osun State, Lafia in Nasarawa State, as well as Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, among others.
The Chief of Air Staff also noted that, in response to the security imperatives in the North East of the country, the NAF had particularly expanded its facilities at the Headquarters of the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in Maiduguri, Borno State, as well as at the NAF Base in Yola, Adamawa State, while a unit had been established in Damaturu, Yobe State.
In his remarks, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State expressed great delight at the efforts put in place to fast-track the establishment of the base on a land which was allocated barely a month ago.
He expressed optimism that the take-off of the base would result in job opportunities for the host communities while further boosting the excellent relationship between the NAF and the Gombe people. He disclosed that the State Government, on its part, would continue to provide necessary support to ensure the smooth operations of the unit.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony were the Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr Manasa Daniel; Speaker of Gombe State House of Assembly, Honourable Sadiq Ibrahim Kurba, and other members of the State House of Assembly; the Secretary to the Gombe State Government and other top Gombe State functionaries; the Chairman of Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, Alhaji Dr Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III; as well as Branch Chiefs and Directors from the NAF Headquarters and other senior military officers.