NAF Holds Retreat For Warrant Officers To Enhance Efficiency
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has organised a Retreat for Air Warrant Officers (AWOs) and Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) serving in various units across the nation as part of its efforts to further enhance discipline, regimentation. professionalism and efficient service delivery in the service.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar who chaired the Retreat, emphasized the significance of mentorship in the NAF through sharing of knowledge, skills, and experience, in view of the vast experience and knowledge that the AWOs, RSMs and other Senior-Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) possess.
Air Marshal Abubakar, expressed concerns over the observed decline in mentoring within the Non-Commissioned Officers’ (NCO) cadre over the years, and urged AWOs and RSMs to revive the culture of mentorship in their various units.
He also reminded the AWOs and RSMs that as the link between the Officers’ Cadre and the Other Ranks, they must be impartial in the discharge of their responsibilities just as he underscored the importance of maintaining and upholding the high standards of discipline.
The CAS further noted that AWOs and RSMs have the responsibility to ensure that airmen and airwomen under their commands remain disciplined in the discharge of their duties and highlighted the upward trend of indiscipline being exacerbated through drug abuse,
He counted offenses related to sentry duties, and cases of Absence Without Leave (AWOL) across various units as drugs induced offences and called for cessation of the trend while identifying the crucial role AWOs and RSMs could play in checkmating it.
Air Marshal Abubakar, urged AWOs and RSMs to establish mechanisms for constant interaction with their subordinates to address personal and service-related issues.
The CAS also emphasized the need for them to take ownership of service properties with the same passion and care as personal items, emphasizing the importance of regular cleaning, sanitation, and maintenance of NAF buildings, hangars and operational facilities,
A statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said CAS underscored the role AWOs and RSMs can play in fostering a robust maintenance culture within their units.
The statement further noted that while speaking on safety, the CAS stressed that the outcome of the recently held 2023 Safety Review Board (SRB) can only be realizable if all personnel take ownership of the safety of operational and personal environment.
Air Marshal Abubakar, emphasized the need for a relentless pursuit and internalization of safety culture among airmen and airwomen, saying that personnel must consistently adhere to all safety standards and regulations to prevent mishaps in various operations as well as preventing fire hazards within barracks.
The AWOs and RSMs gave briefs on activities in their various Areas of Responsibility as highlights of the Retreat.
