Story:  Nana Kofi Agyeman, 2 Garrison PR Detachment, Takoradi

Pictures:  ACI Ankomah Robert Peters

The Ghana Air Force has reinforced its commitment to developing competent and mission ready officers as Ghana Military Academy (GMA) Air Faculty Cadets of Regular Career Course Intake 65 (RCC 65) successfully completed the 12-week Air Faculty Term Exercise, codenamed “Exercise Eagle Call 2026”.

The exercise, which culminated in a closing ceremony at the Air Force Base Takoradi on Thursday, 16 July 2026, equipped the cadets with the practical skills, leadership qualities and operational experience required for future Air Force service.

Addressing the cadets, the Guest of Honour and Base Commander, Air Force Base Takoradi, Air Commodore Eric Yirenkyi, commended them for their dedication, discipline and resilience throughout the training period. He noted that the exercise exposed the cadets to real-world Air Force operations, enabling them to apply classroom knowledge through practical experiences in flight operations, leadership, aircraft maintenance, vectoring and marshalling.

Air Commodore Yirenkyi explained that the challenges encountered during the programme were deliberately designed to develop the cadets' technical competence, critical thinking, adaptability and teamwork qualities essential for effective military leadership. He urged them to uphold the values and lessons acquired during the exercise by remaining disciplined, embracing continuous learning and staying focused on their mission.

"As future officers of the Ghana Air Force, you will operate in an increasingly dynamic security environment characterised by emerging technologies and evolving threats. Continue to prepare yourselves for commissioning and serve with the same commitment and professionalism you have demonstrated throughout this exercise," he stated.

In his remarks, the Acting Flying Group Commander of Air Force Base Takoradi, Wing Commander Archibald Nana Opoku, explained that the 12-week programme was carefully designed to bridge the gap between academic instruction and operational practice, equipping the cadets with the knowledge, skills and confidence required for effective service in the Ghana Air Force.

He noted that the training package covered six core professional subjects; aviation safety, service writing, administration and morale, aviation engineering, supply and logistics, flying, and airmanship. The cadets also undertook field training exercises, physical conditioning and team-building activities aimed at enhancing endurance, resilience and their ability to perform effectively under pressure, culminating in Exercise Eagle Call 2026.

The ceremony was attended by the Support Group Commander, Group Captain Ransford Odenkey Abbey, the Chief Instructor of the Air Faculty at the Ghana Military Academy, Wing Commander Newman Suhuba Naab, Commanding Officers of the various wings, officers, the Base Warrant Officer and Senior Warrant Officer Class II Geni Emelda Semenyo.

The successful completion of Exercise Eagle Call 2026 marks another important milestone in the professional development of the cadets as they continue their journey towards commissioning as officers of the Ghana Air Force.