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Nigerian Air Force

(NAF)

Background
Air Force Flag
Air Force Emblem and Colour
Chief of the Air Force Staff
Roundel
Fin Flash
Military Aircraft Markings

See also:

Background

According to its website, the origin of the Nigerian Defence Forces dates back to 1863 when the Hausa Constabulary was formed by the British. The Constabulary metamorphosed into the West Africa Frontier Force (WAFF) and then into the Nigerian Regiment in 1956. It was then completely a land-based force. Later, the need to protect and patrol the Nigerian coastline and its resources led to the creation of the Nigerian Navy in 1956. These were the components of the Nigerian Armed Forces until 1962 when the idea of establishing an air force for Nigeria was first muted. The idea was triggered by the difficulties encountered when the country was called upon to participate in two foreign military operations in war-torn Republic of Congo in the early 1960s and to quell military insurrections in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1959. These missions saw Nigeria relying on civil aircraft or foreign air forces to convey her men and logistics to the theatre of conflict. Consequently, the establishment of a Nigerian Air Force was accepted in principle and the Nigerian Government approached a number of countries for assistance in training of Nigerian pilots as well as establishing the Force.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was formally established on 18 April 1964 with the passage of the Air Force Act 1964 by the Nigerian Parliament. The Act summarised the objectives of the NAF as follows:

The Nigerian Air Force shall be charged with the defence of the Federal Republic by air, and to give effect thereto, the personnel shall be trained in such duties as in the air as well as on the ground.
Bruce Berry, 21 Sept 2013

Air Force Flag

(1:2) image by Zoltan Horvath, 9 August 2024

The design of the flag of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is based on that of the Royal Air Force. The flag has a sky (light) blue background with the Nigerian national flag in the canton and the NAF roundel in the centre of the fly. The sky blue colour signifies the clear operating environment in the sky.
Bruce Berry, 21 September 2013

Photo: https://www.gettyimages.ca...
located by Zoltan Horvath, 9 August 2024

Air Force Emblem and Colour

image image by Bruce Berry

As with the NAF flag, the NAF Colour has a sky (light) blue background with the Nigerian national flag in the canton and the NAF crest, as shown above, in the fly. The crest has the national coat of arms placed above the NAF logo which has an eagle in flight holding the national flag over what I think are wheat leaves, all in yellow, under which is a scroll with the words "NIGERIAN AIR FORCE" in black letters.
Bruce Berry, 21 September 2013

Chief of the Air Force Staff

image by Zoltan Horvath

Flag of Chief of the Air Force Staff based on flag of the Air Force, but three five-pointed yellow stars are placed under the national flag at the hoist. The ratio is 1:2.
Zoltan Horvath, 9 August 2024

Air Force Roundel

image by Željko Heimer, 5 July 2002

The Nigerian Air Force uses a roundel in the colours its national flag - concentric circles of green-white-green. (Source: Albums des Pavillons [pay00].
Željko Heimer, 5 July 2002