A simulated aerial rescue demostration displayed by the Nigerian Army Aviation Wing during the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) has stirred outrageous debates draw laughter, and concern online.
The demonstration featured a helicopter hovering at low altitude while troops carried out a mock rescue operation, showcasing the Army’s tactical aviation capabilities before spectators.
However, the display drew widespread attention after the helicopter’s tail boom appeared to come dangerously close to the ground during the exercise. While the crew completed the demonstration without any reported injuries or crash.
The tense moment prompted humorous reactions online, with many users joking that the rescuers almost needed rescuing themselves.
A user commented:
“Apart from landing the helicopter like a danfo, they rescued the ‘hostage’ and then everyone turned their backs. Not a single person seemed to be providing security. And they still posted it as PR and you wonder why flipflop wearing kids ambush them on a regular..”
Despite the online banter, many Nigerians also praised the pilots and rescue team for successfully executing the challenging manoeuvre, describing the exercise as a bold display of professionalism and military readiness.
Another user opined:
“I am not always happy when Nigerians always contribute to what they don’t have knowledge about and it’s very sad
please what do you guys take the pilots as , a bus driver of what,what if you guys witness a cross wind landing or take off what are you going to say about that.
This Helicopter is Bell UH-1H Iroquois (“Huey”)
You will all noticed that when it was landing something hit the ground that’s the Tail Skid and it’s designed for such purposes
Purpose of the tail skid:
1. Protects the tail boom
2. Prevents the tail boom from striking the ground during takeoff, landing, or hover:
Without it, a tail strike could severely damage the helicopter’s structure.
3. Protects the tail rotor
The tail rotor is one of the most vulnerable parts of a helicopter.
By keeping the tail at a safe height, the tail skid helps prevent the tail rotor blades from contacting the ground or obstacles.
4. Absorbs impact loads
If the pilot lands with the tail too low, the skid contacts the ground first and absorbs much of the impact, reducing stress on the tail boom.
5. Provides a warning to the pilot
Contact between the tail skid and the ground alerts the pilot that the tail attitude is becoming too low, allowing corrective action before more serious damage occurs.
This is how it works:
During a steep takeoff or landing, if the helicopter rotates nose-up excessively, the tail skid touches the ground before the tail boom or tail rotor does.
You guys should not be saying things out of ignorance, those pilots are trained and professionals, every aircraft have its own working principle and those that design aircraft had make it in such a way that there are failed safe systems and safelife system on the aircraft
Reading people comments indeed there is a pandemic of Olodo uprising in Nigeria.
This is sad”
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
