Paavo Kamanya

Air Commodore Paavo Elwin-Paul Kamanya is a retired Namibian military officer who last served as Defence Attache to India. He previously served as deputy Namibian Air Force Commander.

Military career

Kamanya is a veteran of the national liberation movement under SWAPO. He joined the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) and is a pioneer of the NDF Air Wing. During Namibia's deployment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo he also participated in the Second Congo War, flying resupply missions, including resupply to besieged Namibian and Zimbabwean troops at Ikela. During one of the flights a technician was mortally wounded. Instead of turning back he proceeded with the flight to Ikela. For his actions president Sam Nujoma awarded him the Most Distinguished Order of Namibia.

He was appointed as the VR1 Squadron commanding officer, later he served as commanding officer stationed at Grootfontein Air Force Base. In the 2010s he was promoted to colonel and made deputy Air Force commander.

Honours and decorations Most Distinguished Order of Namibia