By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to building a highly skilled and combat-ready force, as trainees of Special Forces Course 13/2026 underwent their final Physical Fitness Test at the Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA), Bauchi.
The exercise, conducted on May 30, 2026, marked a critical stage in the selection process for prospective Special Forces operators.
According to the NAF, the assessment was designed to subject trainees to rigorous physical and mental challenges aimed at identifying candidates with the endurance, resilience, discipline, and fighting spirit required for special operations.
The Air Force said the exercise reflects its determination to maintain an elite force capable of responding effectively to terrorism and other emerging security threats in increasingly complex operational environments.
The test forms part of a broader strategy to ensure that personnel deployed for counter-terrorism and internal security operations possess the highest levels of operational readiness.
Speaking during the exercise, the Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader Edeama Lawrence Akpan, explained that only trainees who demonstrate exceptional physical fitness, determination, and operational preparedness would be allowed to continue on the course.
He noted that Special Forces personnel are routinely deployed on demanding missions under hostile and austere conditions, making strict training standards essential.
Akpan commended the trainees for displaying remarkable grit, perseverance, and mental toughness throughout the assessment, adding that the qualities exhibited were critical attributes expected of future Special Forces operators.
The exercise also aligns with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who has consistently emphasized realistic and intensive training as the foundation of operational success.
The NAF said the programme is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its operational capabilities and ensure its personnel remain prepared for evolving security challenges.
Reiterating the Air Force’s commitment to national security, Aneke stated that the country’s security environment requires personnel who are physically robust, mentally resilient, and operationally decisive.
He stressed that through realistic training and uncompromising standards, the NAF would continue to produce Special Forces operators capable of confronting threats and defending Nigeria’s sovereignty wherever duty demands.
