Days after the Nigerian Air Force announced that it will be decorating its first Female Air Warrant Officer, the armed forces division has also decorated its first female combat pilot and first female helicopter pilot.

Kafayat Sanni and Tolulope Arotile were decorated as the Nigerian Air Force’s first female combat pilot and first female helicopter pilot respectively after completing their training courses in the US and South Africa.

Speaking at the event in which the female military officers were decorated alongside 11 others on Tuesday October 15, the Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar said it was a milestone achievement in the 55-year history of the force.

“I am particularly happy because out of the 13 pilots to be winged are two female regular combatant officers,” he said.

“They are not only female officers but outstanding aviators. While one of the two pilots is the first female fighter pilot in the 55 years history of the NAF, the second one is the first female combat helicopter pilot.

“The first female fighter pilot trained at the United States Air Force following an excellent performance during her initial flying training course at 401 Flying Training School in Kaduna.

While the second graduated from Starlite International Training Academy. They both performed excellently well during their training.”

Sadique further disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force has trained a total of 67 Instructor pilots since 2015. He added that the air force would have winged a total of 101 pilots within the same period the new officers were winged.

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