Pis: L-R Isiaka Mustapha, CEO, People’s Security Monitor with Air Commodore Abayomi Balogun (rtd) last night at his ultra modern Jazz & Blues Garden, Abuja during End of the Year Party of the garden
It was a huge gathering Friday when one of the most patriotic Nigerian military officers, Air Commodore Abayomi Balogun (rtd) celebrated his 60th birthday at his Abuja private residence.
The grand event was graced by numerous military officers both serving and retired especially from the Nigerian Air Force, his immediate constituency
Air Commodore Abayomi Balogun was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force in August in August 1982. He attended the US Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training Programme at Reece AFB Texas 1985-1986.
On arrival, he was posted to 99 Air Weapon School Kainji where he obtained his limited combat rating in 1987.
He was was posted to 75 Strike Group, Yola as a Squadron Pilot where he remained until the Liberian war broke out in 1990. He was in ECOMOG in four different occasions as a Combat Pilot and has flown over 2500 hours (About 600 of them combat hours).
He attended Instructor Pilot Course at Tambaram Air Force Base in India in 2000 and graduated as the best in formation flying.
Balogun is a member of the Aggressors Aerobatic Team and he took part in several Aerial and National Day Celebration between 1992-1993.
He took part in UN Peace Keeping Missions in Kuwait and Iraq (UNIKOM) as the Chief Air Operations.
At different times, Balogun was Command Training Officer (HQTC), Assistant Director, Peace Keeping Operation (HQ NAF), Assistant Director of Operations (DHQ), Director of Training (HQ NAF) and Deputy Director of Operations (HQ NAF). He was a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (SEC-32)