The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed some of its air assets, including the Alpha Jet aircraft, to its 115 Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt, to support the ongoing Nigerian Army’s Exercise EGWU EKE II (PYTHON DANCE II).
NAF Director of Public Relations, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said the essence of the deployment is to provide the necessary air cover to the ground troops to enhance overall operational cohesion and efficiency.
Operation Python Dance 11 which began officially on 15 September 2017 will cover the entire South East Region of the country.
“The wide expanse of the exercise area and the request by the Nigerian Army for close air support made the involvement of the NAF inevitable,” said Adesanya.
Exercise EGWU EKE II is aimed at combatting security challenges in the Southeastern part of the country.
NAF added that the deployment of the air assets in support of the Nigerian Army is thus in fulfillment of one of its constitutional mandates.