The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified efforts to strengthen its operational capacity against terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping and other security threats through rigorous Special Forces training, with only the most physically and mentally capable personnel advancing to the next stage of selection.
As part of the process, the Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA) in Bauchi on May 30, 2026, conducted the final Physical Fitness Test for participants of Special Forces Course 13/2026.
The exercise marked a crucial phase of the selection programme, subjecting trainees to demanding physical and mental assessments aimed at identifying individuals with the resilience, discipline, endurance and combat readiness required for Special Forces operations.
Speaking on the significance of the training, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the evolving security environment requires highly trained and mission-ready personnel capable of responding effectively to emerging threats across the country.
He reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to supporting ongoing counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and internal security operations designed to safeguard lives, protect communities and maintain national stability.
According to the Air Chief, the Service will continue to train, equip and deploy personnel capable of confronting terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements wherever they operate.
“The Nigerian Air Force will continue to train, equip and deploy personnel capable of taking the fight to terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements wherever they may be found. Those who threaten innocent citizens, terrorise communities and undermine the peace of our nation must understand that there will be no sanctuary for criminality. Our resolve is unwavering, and our commitment to protecting Nigerians remains absolute,” he stated.
Also speaking during the exercise, the Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader Edeama Lawrence Akpan, said the assessment was designed to ensure that only trainees demonstrating exceptional physical fitness, determination and operational readiness remain on the course.
He noted that Special Forces personnel are frequently required to operate in austere and hostile environments where mission success depends on physical endurance, mental toughness and unwavering commitment to duty.
Akpan described the test as a critical benchmark for evaluating the preparedness of trainees for the demands of special operations and future operational responsibilities.
The final Physical Fitness Test, he added, reflects the Nigerian Air Force’s determination to maintain a highly capable force ready to support military operations nationwide and respond effectively to contemporary security challenges.
The exercise also underscores the Service’s broader commitment to producing physically fit, mentally resilient and mission-ready Special Forces operators through sustained investment in realistic training and strict professional standards.
NAF said the initiative remains central to its strategy of building an elite force capable of protecting lives, securing communities and contributing significantly to the achievement of national security objectives.
