For the aim of reactivating the Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Liberia, guests from the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s military Air Force are within the nation as friends of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
As a part of their visitation, they toured and assessed varied amenities and met with the mandatory aviation stakeholders. The Nigerian Air Force delegation are specialists, who’re being led by Air Vice Marshall FO Edosa, to evaluate the operational standing and make projections for the way in which ahead to reactivate the Liberian Air Wing.
“Nigeria could be very joyful to assist strengthen the lengthy standing relationship with Liberia. The Nigerian Government has accepted the additional coaching of two officers in particular areas of plane coaching. I might say that is only the start on account of our bilateral relationship.
“For the previous two days, we now have visited the James Springs Payne Airport and the Roberts International Airport to know what’s on floor and we spoke with airport authorities. We are right here to reactivate the Liberia Armed Force wings.
“The intent of the visit is to assess and see if we are pointed in the right direction, and with time, things we have documented, like making estimates, will give us an idea in going about the process,” the top of the delegation, FO Edosa mentioned.
He added that reactivating the AFL wings won’t occur in considered one of two years and that the method entails numerous preparations, so that is the explanation for his or her evaluation go to to Liberia.
Also relating the time frame, AFL Chief of Staff, Major General Prince C. Johnson, mentioned he, too, can’t put a interval as to when the AFL wings can be prepared, noting, “This started like a year ago when we went to Ghana. We visited their technical schools; we visited Nigeria and today we have an assessment team from Nigeria.”
“As you may be aware, our air reconnaissance unit operational air book started at the James Spriggs Payne Airport. There is a place there where the planes used to be repaired. When UNMIL was leaving they turned it over, and our visiting team went and saw that and they also visited the Roberts International Airport,” she famous.
Responding to why the AFL is making preparations for reactivating the air wings when Liberia doesn’t have a nationwide airliner and why does the AFL want air wings right now, Chief of Staff Johnson additional gave the peace of mind that Liberia may have her personal airplane in time.
“The Armed Forces of Liberia had aircrafts however as a result of civil warfare, we ourselves destroyed them. The strategic goal is to meet a Constitutional doc — 2008 National Defense Act — that claims the AFL wants three branches — the Army, Liberian Coast Guard, and the Air Wings. In addition, it’s to assist civil authority.
“I give you one example, had we activated the air wings by now, as we are currently conducting the 2022 Census, we could have helped the enumerators get to the hard-to-reach counties, because transportation is a challenge. There are no roads to some places. Had we had a helicopter, we would have been assisting LISGIS, like when UNMIL was here and helping us reach those places,” he reminisced.
According to 2nd Lieutenant G. Randy Ellis, Public Affairs Officer, Armed Forces of Liberia, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, President George Weah, in his knowledge has seen it prudent to reactivate the Liberian Air Wing. Based on that, the Armed Forces of Liberia has solicited the technical experience of ECOWAS nations particularly the Nigerian Air Force.”
Giving a historical past of the previous air wings, he narrated that the Air Wings of the military was based in 1970 with the supply of three Cessna U-17C gentle plane. The Aviation Unit was expanded within the Eighties with the supply of extra Cessna aircrafts: three 172s, a 206, 207 and two single engine turboprop 208s.
In 1985, it operated three fixed-wing aircrafts from Spriggs Payne Airport in Monrovia, together with Cessna 172s. Their duties included reconnaissance and transport of sunshine cargo and Very Important Personalities.
He additional mentioned the Liberian Air Wing was established by an Act of Legislature on August 12, 1987. Its statutory tasks had been to guard and defend the air house of the Republic of Liberia; defend lives and properties; present air mobility for army and civil personnel; help in search and rescue operations.
And different tasks are: to undertake emergency operations; conduct reconnaissance patrols; take part in joint army operations and carry out different duties as could also be designated by the Ministry of Defense.
Section 2.2 of The National Defense Act of 2008 approved that the New AFL shall comprise the Army, Coast Guard and the Air Wing and such different elements that shall be established by an Act of the Legislature. The Army and Coast Guard are at present operational, whereas the Air Wing continues to be within the formative stage.
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