Navy Commander Onah Tops Air War Course 11, sets Benchmark in Military Aviation

Commander Peter C. Onah of the Nigerian Navy came out the overall best in the Air War College Course 11 that had participants from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Airforce, as well as foreign participants from Cameroon, Botswana, and Morocco.

Onah was awaded the best overall participant in Order of Merit from the total of 29 participants in the course that lasted from January 15 to September 13, 2025.

Group Captain JC Mbam came second, while Wing Commander EA Okeke placed third. Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Ngoun-Goun of Cameroon was recognised as the Best Allied Participant.

Commander Onah distinguished himself with a research project titled “Human Capacity Development and Operational Readiness: The Nigerian Navy Air Arm in Perspective.”

His study recommended the design and adoption of a bespoke career progression software for the Nigerian Navy Air Arm, a review of the Navy’s Aircraft Operations Manual, and collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources for crew training.

A helicopter pilot from Benue State, Commander Onah was the first Nigerian Navy helicopter pilot to ferry a Leonardo helicopter from its manufacturer in Italy to Nigeria.

According to reports, the mission that saw him land in more than 21 cities across multiple countries.

The Commander has contributed to the enhancement in the operational integration with national airspace systems.

He facilitated the inclusion of the Naval Air Base Ojo, Naval Flying Unit Port Harcourt, and Naval Air Station Effurun into the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s Aeronautical Information Publication.

Commander Onah is also a Certified Flight Instructor and Certified Flight Instrument Instructor, holding both Nigerian and United States Federal Aviation Authority Airline Transport Pilot licences.

These qualifications place him among the most highly rated military aviators in Nigeria today.