Nigerian-American naval officer, Captain Kelechi Ndukwe, has been appointed Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 60 and Task Force 65 of the United States Navy, headquartered in Rota, Spain.The U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced the appointment on Friday through a post on X, describing Ndukwe’s career as “pure inspiration” and a testament to “American excellence
Ndukwe had earlier made history as the first Nigerian-American to command a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Halsey (DDG-97
Meet Commodore Kelechi Ndukwe, a Nigerian-American making history in the U.S. Navy,” the mission wrote. “From commanding the USS Halsey to now serving as Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 60 and Task Force 65 in Spain, his journey is a true example of #AmericanExcellence
Ndukwe was promoted to the rank of Navy Captain in August 2024. Over his two-decade career, he has held key operational and leadership roles, including fire control officer aboard the USS Normandy between 2004 and 2006 and auxiliaries officer on the USS Thorn from 2003 to 2004.A 2002 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he has also served in the Office of the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military advisory position in the United States.
In 2021, Ndukwe took command of the USS Halsey after serving as its executive officer. He also previously commanded the USS Devastator (MCM 6), a minesweeper based in Bahrain, from 2013 to 2015.
In 2021, Ndukwe took command of the USS Halsey after serving as its executive officer. He also previously commanded the USS Devastator (MCM 6), a minesweeper based in Bahrain, from 2013 to 2015.
His new appointment is considered the peak of his distinguished 20-year career, which began in 2003, shortly after he completed a master’s degree in national security and strategy studies from the U.S. Naval War College
