NAVAL FLYING UNIT (NFU) PORT HARCOURT

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF NAVAL FLYING UNIT

The Nigerian Navy Air Arm (NNAA) was established in 1986 to operate Westland Lynx helicopters for maritime surveillance and naval fleet support.

Naval aviation operations were suspended in 1992 after the decommissioning of the Lynx helicopters but were revived in 2002 with the acquisition of AW109E helicopters at Naval Air Base Ojo.

Helicopter deployments from Lagos supported maritime security operations in the Niger Delta, though long distances created logistical and operational challenges. To improve response to regional threats like oil theft and pipeline vandalism, the Naval Flying Unit (NFU) Port Harcourt was established on 4 October 2004.

NFU Port Harcourt serves as a forward aviation support base, coordinating helicopter operations and providing logistics support within the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility.