We Will Carry Everyone Along – CAS Assures NAF Veterans

We Will Carry Everyone Along – CAS Assures NAF Veterans

There was a deep sense of reunion, pride, and shared history as veterans of the Nigerian Air Force gathered, men and women whose years of service helped shape the strength and identity of the Service. Addressing them, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, delivered a message that resonated beyond policy and protocol: the Nigerian Air Force does not forget its own. He reaffirmed that veterans remain a living pillar of the Air Force family, respected, remembered, and deserving of continued care.

Represented by the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Martins, the CAS spoke with warmth and reassurance, encouraging veterans to place their health and wellbeing first. He reminded them that service to the nation creates a lifelong bond, and that the Air Force’s responsibility to its personnel does not end with retirement. Every veteran, he assured, would be carried along in NAF’s programmes and welfare initiatives, reflecting a promise that their sacrifices continue to matter.

The gathering became a celebration of legacy. The CAS paid tribute to the veterans’ contributions to national security, operational excellence, and the mentorship of younger generations of airmen and officers. Their stories, discipline, and courage, he noted, remain embedded in the culture of today’s Air Force. He urged them to keep sharing their knowledge and experiences, describing their wisdom as a compass guiding the future of the Service.

During interactive sessions, veterans spoke candidly about their journeys, challenges, and hopes for improved welfare systems. Their voices filled the room with honesty and brotherhood. Air Marshal Aneke assured them that their concerns would translate into action, with practical steps to strengthen healthcare access, welfare schemes, and engagement platforms. His message was clear and heartfelt: no veteran will be left behind, and the Air Force will continue to walk the journey with those who once carried its colours.