By MWIYA MUKUMBUTA –

. MUMA

ZAMBIA Air Force (ZAF) deputy commander and chief of staff David Muma has praised President Edgar Lungu’s administration for enabling ZAF to operate effectively in providing peace and territorial integrity during the year.
Major General Muma said although 2015 had been a challenging year, ZAF was able to operate within its means to achieve its tasks.
He was speaking last weekend during the officers’ end-of-year annual ball held in Livingstone under the theme ’51 years of Zambia Air Force’s contribution to peace and security for a smart Zambia’.
Maj Gen Muma said the Government had continued to modernise ZAF by acquiring new equipment which included aircrafts and air defence machinery.
He said the addition to the inventory would help ZAF project air power effectively and also assist in providing air mobility to remote areas without difficulties.
“This year in particular started with a presidential election in the middle of the rainy season and ZAF played a critical role in the movement of election material. I wish to commend ZAF crews for making the election possible,” he said.
Maj Gen Muma also assured the Government that ZAF stood ready to support the Electoral Commission of Zambia in transporting the required materials to far flung areas of Zambia during next year’s general elections.
He commended ZAF personnel for their exemplary service and dedication to the air force and Zambia as a whole in the year 2015.
Maj Gen Muma hailed the officers for their loyalty and contributions to fostering peace, unity and prosperity.
Speaking at the same event, Livingstone station commander Collins Barry said the 2015 annual ball provided officers a platform where they reflected on past performance and looked forward to improving where they did not do well.