|
|
|
History of The Nigerian Air Force |
|
Former Chiefs of Air Staffs
|
 |
|
AIR MARSHAL ISAAC M ALFA (1999 – 2001) |
Air Marshal Isaac Mohammed Alfa, popularly known as “Air Warrior” in NAF circles
was born on 15 September 1950 at Inye, Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State. He had his early education at Inye and Ankpa between 1956 and 1961. Thereafter,
he attended Ochaja Secondary School from 1962 to 1966 before proceeding to the Kaduna
Polytechnic in 1967.
He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1969 as a member of Regular Combatant
Course 6. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in
1971 and rose through the officer
ranks to the rank of Air Marshal in 1999.
|
 |
|
Air Marshal Isaac Alfa had his primary flying training at 301 FTS, Kaduna between
1970-1971. He then went to the United States Air Force (USAF) for his basic and
advanced flying courses, and
later attended the Air Weapons Training course also
in the United States from 1971-1973. He was in Russia for
the MiG 21 Conversion Course between 1974
and 1975. He attended the Officers’ Command School and Flight
Safety Aircraft Accident Investigation Course between 1977 and 1978 in the United
Kingdom. Air Marshal Alfa is also a 1981 graduate of the Command and Staff College,
Maxwell Alabama, United States. He attended a Defence Management Course in California,
United States in 1987, and the National Defence College, India in 1991. Air Marshal
Alfa had a wealth of flying, staff and command experience, which thoroughly prepared
him for his eventful tenure as CAS. He flew several aircraft types both locally
and abroad. These included the Piaggio 149, MiGs 15, 17 and 21; L-29 Delphin, Alpha
Jet, the Jaguar aircraft, the T-33, 37 and 38 jet aircraft, the French Mirage 2000
(evaluation) and RAF Harrier Jump Jet (demonstration).
He also
held the following command appointments: Commander Fighter Squadron (1975),
Commander Air Defence Wing (1980), Commander Strike Group (1984), Station Commander
Makurdi (1989), and Commander NAF Station, Kainji (1989-1990). His other appointments include Senior Air Staff Officer HQ TAC (1990), Director of Operations HQ NAF (1993-1997)
and Air Officer Commanding NAF Training Command (1997-1999). He was appointed CAS in 1999 and he retired in 2001.
Air Marshal Alfa’s immediate priorities on assumption of office were to resuscitate
the morale of the Service while lobbying government to address the Service’s low aircraft serviceability status.
Thus, he embarked on extensive welfare schemes ranging from the construction of
new accommodation for all ranks to ensuring uninterrupted water and electricity
supply to all bases. He also introduced a direct labour approach to his barrack
renovation scheme such
that personnel were granted supervision of projects with
commensurate rewards. Air Marshal Alfa’s administration also saw to the relocation
of HQ NAF to Abuja, a task which hitherto seemed insurmountable. Air Marshal Alfa
is a Fellow, National Defence College (India) and he holds the Meritorious Services
Star, Distinguished Services Star, Masters
Degree in defence studies and the Commander
of the Federal Republic (CFR) national honour. On retirement, Air Marshal Alfa went
into politics and was a gubernatorial aspirant, Kogi State in 2003. |
|
|