Today, 13th August, 2021 marks the 61st Birthday anniversary of Air Vice Marshal Christian Ndubisi CHUKWU, Rtd.
Born in Potiskum, Yobe State, Chukwu hails from Nenwe in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State. Based on his philanthropy and service to humanity, as “a Prophet who is honoured in his own land”, Chukwu had the rare priviledge of being the sole recipient of the prestigious award of Mkpume Nenwe, bestowed on him by the four Autonomous communities of Nenwe Clan.
The officer joined the Nigerian Air Force on the 15th of November 1979 as a Potential Pilot Regular cadet. He is an instructor fighter pilot and currently the Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command Nigerian Air Force, Yenagoa.
CIVIL EDUCATION
Air Vice Marshal Chukwu attended several primary schools and finished up at Army Children School Bukavu Barracks Kano before attending Federal Government College Kano from 1974-1979. He holds a Diploma in English Language from Defence Language Institute, San Antonio and an MSc in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan in 2007.
MILITARY/STAFF TRAINING
The officer underwent cadet training from 1979 to 1982 at the Ground Training Group, NAF Base Kaduna. He attended junior and the senior categories of the staff courses at the Command and Staff College Jaji. He is a fellow of the National Defence College, Nigeria where he graduated from
in 2006.
FLYING TRAINING
Chukwu has had an active flying career which commenced with primary flying training at the NAF base Kaduna in 1980. Thereafter, he proceeded to Reese Air Force Base in the USA for undergraduate pilot training where he obtained his pilot’s wings in December 1983. Between April 1984 and
March 1986 he received tactical fighter training using the Alpha jet at the Air Weapons School Kainji. The senior officer was back in the USA in
February 1989 for instructor pilot training on the T-38 supersonic jet at Randolph Air Force Base. He completed the course same year with an Outstanding grade. He also underwent a crash conversion training programme on the L-39 jet trainer in Bulgaria in March 1998.
FLYING EXPERIENCE
The aircraft types flown by this pilot include the Bulldog 123 and Cessna T-41 single engine props; Cessna T-37, MB339 and L-39 jet trainers; the Alpha-Jet subsonic fighter and the T-38 supersonic fighter/trainer. The senior officer took active part in air operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone as well as in various joint operations and aerial displays. His total flying time
is 2,675 hours, out of which about 615 are combat hours.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
In academics, Chukwu earned a Grade 1 Distinction from Fed Govt College Kano and bagged the distinguished graduate award in his Diploma programme in San Antonio. At the Cadet Training School, he won the Best-All-Round Cadet Award for CMTC-5. At the Command and Staff College Jaji, he won the Best-in-Written-Work Award for JD 32/91.
In flying training, Chukwu was conferred with a Distinguished Graduate Award by the United States Air Force for OUTSTANDING performance in instructor pilot training at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio in 1989.
Air Vice Marshal Chukwu is a recipient of the national award: Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), conferred on him on 16 November 2000 when he was a Wing Commander. His citation read “exemplary service and gallant achievements in Air Operations in ECOMOG”. Other awards earned by the senior officer include the UN campaign medals in Angola (UNAVEM III and MONUA), various long service / good conduct medals and the psc dagger.
HOBBY AND FAMILY
He collects coins and photographs, loves swimming and worship sessions. Chukwu is married to former Miss Anita Adamu from Kaduna State. They have 4 children.
In December, 2020, he launched his autobiography, Wings of Distinction: Memoirs of a Fighter Pilot. The book us currently making waves on Amazon.
From hoo!haa!! News, we say, “61 Hearty Cheers To A Gentleman And A Fighter Pilot!
