Martin Pinehas

Air Vice Marshal Martin Kambulu Pinehas, NDC , BCS , MBA , PSC is a Namibian military officer who is serving as the Commander of the Namibian Air Force. He was appointed the Commander of the Air wing of the Namibian Defence Force in 2000. He has over 3700 flight hours of experience, including 700 as an instructor.

Career
Pinehas' career in the Namibian Defence Force started in 1990 after Namibia's independence when he was inducted with the rank of Captain. In 1994 he was appointed as the Commanding Officer of the 1st Air Wing squadron with the rank of Major. in 1998 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Air Wing. In 2000 he was promoted to Colonel and appointed as Air Wing Commander. in 2002 he was appointed as Air Force Commander and rising through the ranks of Brigadier General until Air Vicew-marshall which he was bestowed in 2008.

Qualifications

 * 1984- 1989 Flying Training on Jet aircraft, Libya
 * 1996 - Junior Staff and Command Course
 * 1996 - Qualified Flight Instructor Course (higher performance aircraft) at Air University, USA
 * 1997 - Qualified Flight Instructor Course (higher performance aircraft), China
 * 1997 - Military Basic Law Course University of Namibia
 * 1998 - 1999 Air Command and Staff Course at Air University, USA
 * 2001 Aviation Security Managers Course and Executive course in Defence Management
 * Pinehas has obtained a Master of Business Administration Degree and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at Regent Business School.

PLAN career
Pinehas joined SWAPO's armed wing in 1980 and was deployed to the Cadet Military Academy in Cuba which he completed in 1981. He was then sent for jet flying training in Libya in 1984.

Military Decorations

 * Meritorious Service medal
 * Merito Santos – Dumont medal
 * The Excellent Order of the Eagle: Third Class, Heroes' Day 2014