During national events, Kenyans are always entertained by sophisticated stunts pulled by the Kenya Air Force soldiers with their military jets making historic displays referred to as airshows.
The Air Force usually displays aerial combat prowess during national events and also informs the country on the different types of planes at their disposal while guarding the country’s airspace.
The display is more often accompanied by some description made by top military officials giving details about the planes. This action of pulling such stunts is known as Flypast, a term coined in the United Kingdom and other commonwealth countries, Kenya included.
Sometimes these Flypasts occur during special situations in the country to honour some top individuals or to celebrate certain types of aircraft with direct permission coming from the President.
They serve to show respect, display aircraft, showcase flying skills, and as a form of entertainment to delight the public for instance during Jamhuri Day commemorated on December 12.
These flying skills reflect milestones of national life, varying in scope from personal, to community and local, to military and national.
Training in Kenya
In Kenya, the Kenya Air Force soldiers undergo intensive training before achieving flying time. The training usually takes place at the Flying Training School (FTS) at the Laikipia Air Base (LAB).
Moi Air Base in Eastleigh, Nairobi is the headquarters with other bases located in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mombasa (Moi International Airport), FOB Mandera, FOB Wajir, and FOB Nyeri.
FTS graduates include pilot officers trained in fixed wing and helicopters. During their training, the officers attain the required flying hours to enable them become KAF pilots and are awarded pilot brevets.
Air Force pilot, Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilot, and Combat Systems Officer candidates are first taken through initial Flight Screening. This first step is essential as it helps gauge aptitude for flight and introduce them to the rigours of military aviation and training.
After passing this first step, candidates are fully induced to training where they undergo theory and practical lessons offered by experienced soldiers among other professionals from the aviation sector.
The Commander Kenya Air Force (KAF), Major Gen. John Omenda is the one who oversees the entire process of instilling knowledge to a specific few picked to join this highly-effective unit.
The key lessons in the first training sessions involve mastering contact, instrument, low-level, and formation flying. The soldiers then move to build the skills necessary to become pilots.
In the US, training is divided into three steps namely Academic/Ground Training, Primary Flying Training, and Advanced Flying Training.
In Kenya, the lessons for Kenya Air Force soldiers involve flying training that teaches them principle techniques used in operating advanced aircraft, ground training that is usually physical and intense, and then leadership skills as the role requires making very important decisions.
Flying Training School at the Laikipia Air Base (LAB) forms a basis whereby those who pass the various tests receive military scholarships to advance their skills.
Some of the military planes they are trained to fly include, a dozen Tucano trainers, a dozen Y-12 transport aircraft, half a dozen G120A basic trainers, several dozen MD500 helicopters.
The different types of military planes together with the Army's 50th Air Cavalry helicopters are controlled by the Joint Helicopter Command based at Embakasi Garrison.
In 1982, the Air Force was accused of plotting a coup to overthrow the late President Daniel Moi's administration. That time it was under commander Hezekiah Ochuka. It was disbanded by Moi but regained its independence in 1994.
Despite the pieces of training, tragedies have occured. In 2006 a KAF Harbin Y-12 plunged to the ground near Marsabit with 17 onboard, of whom 14 passed. The former Minister Bonaya Godana was among the casualties.
After that, Kenya started acquiring planes even from the US and other superpower countries.
