Nigerian promoted to US Naval Captain

Kelechi Ndukwe previously worked as the auxiliary officer on the USS Thorn, based in Norfolk, from 2003 to 2004, and as the fire control officer on the USS Normandy, located in Norfolk, from 2004 to 2006. The rank of Navy Captain has been attained by Nigerian-American Kelechi Ndukwe. He previously worked as the auxiliary officer on the USS Thorn, based in Norfolk, from 2003 to 2004, and as the fire control officer on the USS Normandy, located in Norfolk, from 2004 to 2006. Ndukwe, who graduated from Notre Dame University in 2002, has also held the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), the highest-ranking military post in the US.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG-97) was commanded by Kelechi Ndukwe in 2021. Ndukwe was the executive officer prior to taking over as captain in November 2019 from DeVere J. Crooks. Ndukwe’s first command is not the USS Halsey (DDG-97). The chemical engineering graduate served as the USS Devastator (MCM 6)’s commanding officer from 2013 to 2015; the minesweeper was stationed in Bahrain. His tenure in the US Navy, which commenced in 2003 as an auxiliary officer, has culminated in this current role. This was a year following his graduation from the US Naval War College with a master’s degree in national security and strategy studies.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), congratulated Kelechi Ndukwe on his new role on Friday via her X handle.”My sincere congratulations go out to Navy Captain Kelechi R. Ndukwe of the United States Navy on his recent promotion from Commander to Navy Captain.” she added. He is #Proud#ProudlyNigerian as the first Nigerian American to command a US vessel.” On Thursday, US Navy officer Segun Victor Agunbiade announced on social media that Ndukwe had been promoted. “Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the newest US Navy Captain, Kelechi Ndukwe,” wrote Agunbiade. He is the first Nigerian to be a warship commander in the US Navy! Captain, congrats on your promotion! Very well deserved.