The Ghana Air Force has marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Number Four Squadron (fighter aircraft), at a ceremony at the Air Force base at Burma Camp in Accra.
The day which was under the theme: ‘Four Squadron Connection,’ saw a demonstration of jet fighters which displayed to audience what actually goes on during a war situation.
The occasion also marked the cutting of the tape of pilots’ dispersal building in front of the tarmac by Chief of Air Staff, Michael Sampson Oje. It is a place where they keep their equipment and working materials.
The Air Force has the number one squadron located in Takoradi, number two squadron in Tamale, numbers three and four both in Accra, and a Communication squadron.
Chief of Air Staff Oje said plans were far advanced to acquire six aircrafts from Brazil because there was the need to expand the operations.
He praised the pioneers of the Ghana Air Force for their noble and hard work which had contributed to the good image of the Ghana Air Force over the years, adding especially their work in ECOMOG peace-keeping operations.
He was hopeful that the celebration would be used to establish friendships,. and reconnect with old staff whose knowledge could be tapped for the improvement in their operations.
He paid tribute to those who lost their lives and expressed appreciation to their families who supported them while they were on operations.
Air Vice Marshall Ashley Larsen, who was the guest speaker, said the Number Four Strike and Recce Squadron which was formed in November 1965 had operated a variety of Aircrafts.
Initially it operated the Italian Macchi Barrochi 326F, then the 326K, in addition, the squadron has since operated the MB339A and the Aero L29 and L-39 from the Czech republic and currently the squadron operates the K-8 from China.
He said the home-coming afforded them the opportunity for the old hands to interact with the current crew, both at the technical level and at the level of leadership, adding that, the interaction would enable lessons to be passed on so that the squadron forgeed forward along with the Air Force into a rejuvenated and glorious future.
He remembered those who lost their lives, and urged the present generation to keep the laudable achievements of the squadron, adding, 'your exploits in Liberia and Sierra Leone are worthy of mention during the ECOMOG operations in 1990s, you made Ghana and the Ghana Armed Forces proud.'
'As the baby-last of Air Force squadron that made the Air Force contribution to the defence of Ghana comprehensive, it can be said that you are also the baby last of Armed Forces Unit.
As such we celebrate your jubilee, we celebrate an anniversary of the completion of the Ghana Armed Forces.'
Former President Jerry John Rawlings, advised them to keep in mind that flying was a skill, and that they should never get the impression that they had stopped learning, saying, 'if you think you have learnt it all that will be the beginning of it all.'
Former President Rawlings and other retired officers were honoured at the ceremony.
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