The Department of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, United States, has honoured the Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, with induction into the International Honor Roll Class of 2026, a recognition reserved for distinguished global air power leaders.
According to a Sunday statement issued by the Nigerian Air Force on X, the honour was conferred on April 10, 2026, alongside other senior air force leaders from across the world.
It said, “Air Marshal Aneke, who attended the Air War College at Air University in 2016 as a member of Seminar 7, was formally inducted on 10 April 2026 alongside 15 other Air Chiefs and 2 Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) equivalents from across the world.
The induction ceremony, the statement added, was designed to recognise senior officers who have risen through the Air War College to become service chiefs in their respective countries.
“The ceremony was specially designed to recognise senior Air Force officers who, having passed through the Air War College, have risen to the pinnacle of their professional careers as Air Chiefs and CMSAF equivalents in their respective countries.”
As part of the programme, the Nigerian delegation was received at the Governor’s Mansion in Alabama and toured several institutions linked to US military education and heritage.
“The participants were received by Governor Kay Ivey at the Governor’s Mansion before proceeding on a series of heritage and institutional visits to the Alabama Supreme Court in Montgomery, the Air University Library, the Enlisted Heritage Museum, Maxwell Club, the Air War College, as well as the SNCO Academy at Gunter Annex,” it stated.
The Nigerian Air Force said the visit underscored global military cooperation and professional exchange among air force leaders.
“The engagements highlighted the enduring values of professional military education, strategic leadership, and the deep bonds shared among alumni of one of the world’s foremost centres of air power excellence.”
Air Marshal Aneke was accompanied by senior officials, including the President of the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association, Ngozi Aneke, and the Defence Attaché.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates to inductees.
“The high point of the event was the presentation of the International Alumni certificates by Lieutenant General Trulley, symbolising the institution’s recognition of the CAS’s exemplary career trajectory, strategic leadership, and contributions to advancing air power in Nigeria and beyond,” the statement added.
By: Samuel Omotere
