Enugu – Air Commodore Ebenezer Alade, Commander, 39 Base Services Group of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Enugu, has said that the group’s regular keep-fit exercises were to keep NAF personnel agile and combat-ready.
Alade spoke on Saturday in Enugu after the group’s annual and compulsory 10 kilometres walk-jog exercise for all NAF personnel – airmen, officers and commanders.
The 10 kilometres exercise covered the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Abakaliki expressways in Enugu State.
“As we are now faced with insurgency and other internal security threat in some parts of the country; the Nigerian Air Force men, officers and commanders must be fit and combat-ready always to confront these challenges.
“Before now, most of the personnel that took part in this exercise have rehearsed this exercise for some days; thus creating the habit of keeping fit on individual level for our personnel,’’ he said.
The commander noted that the exercise was also used to promote civil-military relationship; adding that some prominent personalities in Enugu were invited to join in the exercise.
“Some of our civilian friends also went through the exercise with us; thus creating an atmosphere of cordiality.
“Just two months ago, we carried out a rural health outreach in a village in Emene community near Enugu metropolis,’’ he said.
According to Alade, the NAF Base in Enugu had been preparing for the Nigerian Air Force Games, slated to hold in October in Abuja.
Highlight of the exercise was the presentation of gifts to airmen and officers that performed exceptionally well. (NAN)