NAF Intensifies Elite Combat Training as Special Forces Trainees Face Tough Selection Test
Oru Leonard
BAUCHI, May 31, 2026 — The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security through the development of highly skilled Special Forces personnel, as trainees of Special Forces Course 13/2026 underwent a demanding final Physical Fitness Test at the Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA), Bauchi.
The exercise, conducted on May 30, marked a crucial stage in the selection process for the elite unit, with participants subjected to rigorous physical and mental challenges aimed at identifying candidates capable of operating in high-risk and hostile environments.
The assessment evaluated key attributes including endurance, resilience, discipline, mental toughness and operational readiness—qualities considered essential for Special Forces missions in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping and other security threats confronting the country.
Speaking on the significance of the training, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the evolving nature of security challenges requires personnel who are exceptionally trained and prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to threats.
He stressed that the NAF remains fully committed to supporting ongoing military operations across the country and ensuring the safety of citizens and communities.
According to the CAS, the Air Force will continue to train, equip and deploy personnel capable of confronting terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements wherever they operate.
He warned that criminal groups seeking to destabilize communities would find no safe haven, emphasizing that the Service remains resolute in its mission to safeguard lives and preserve national stability.
Also speaking, the Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader Edeama Lawrence Akpan, described the fitness test as a critical benchmark in the Special Forces training programme.
He noted that only trainees who demonstrate exceptional physical fitness, determination and combat readiness would progress to the next phase of the course.
Akpan explained that Special Forces operators are frequently deployed in austere and dangerous conditions where mission success depends heavily on physical endurance, mental strength and unwavering commitment to duty.
The Nigerian Air Force said the exercise reflects its sustained investment in realistic military training and its determination to maintain a force of elite operators capable of responding effectively to contemporary security challenges.
The Service added that through continuous capacity building and strict training standards, it is enhancing its ability to support military operations nationwide, protect innocent lives and contribute significantly to the achievement of national security objectives.
