A Nigerian-American, Kelechi Ndukwe, has achieved a significant milestone in his military career by being promoted to the rank of Navy Captain from Commander in the United States Navy.
This promotion marks a historic achievement as Ndukwe becomes the first Nigerian to command a US Navy warship.
Ndukwe’s naval career, which spans over 20 years, began in 2003 when he joined the US Navy as an auxiliaries officer.
This was shortly after he obtained a master’s degree in national security and strategy studies from the US Naval War College.
Over the years, he has served in various capacities on multiple warships in different parts of the world, including the Mediterranean Sea, Horn of Africa, Arabian Gulf, and Western Pacific Ocean.
In 2021, Ndukwe took command of the USS Halsey (DDG-97), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, succeeding DeVere J. Crooks.
Prior to this, he had served as the ship’s second-in-command. This was not Ndukwe’s first leadership role in the U.S. Navy. From 2013 to 2015, he commanded the USS Devastator (MCM 6), a minesweeper based in Bahrain.
Throughout his illustrious career, Ndukwe has held several key positions. He served as the weapons officer and combat systems officer of USS Fitzgerald in Yokosuka, Japan, from 2010 to 2011, and as a navy congressional liaison officer in Washington, D.C., from 2006 to 2008.
He was also the fire control officer of USS Normandy in Norfolk from 2004 to 2006, and the auxiliaries officer of USS Thorn, also in Norfolk, from 2003 to 2004.
Ndukwe, a graduate of chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 2002, has also worked in the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), the highest-ranking military officer in the United States.
His achievements have been widely celebrated, with many Nigerians expressing pride in his accomplishments.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), congratulated Ndukwe on his promotion.
She stated, “A hearty congratulations to Navy Captain Kelechi R Ndukwe who has been promoted to the rank of Navy Captain from Commander, in the US NAVY. He is the first Nigerian American to command a US warship.”
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