Michael John O'Brian

Michael John O'Brian (5 January 1928 — 1 December 1995) known as M.J. O'Brian and Micky O'Brian was among the pioneering officers of the Pakistan Air Force and two-star rank air officer who holds the distinction of being the only Air Force officer to serve as Commandant of the National Defence College, Islamabad from 1975 to 1976. Prior to that, he served as the seventh Deputy Chief of Air Staff from 1974 to 1975 and was one of the distinguished Christian pilots who participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 and 1965.

Throughout his career, he served as Base Commander PAF Base Korangi Creek, Commandant PAF Academy, and Commander No. 35 Wing.

Of Irish descent, Michael John O'Brian was born on 1 May 1928 into a Christian family in Lahore. His brother, Charles O'Brian was an Excise and Taxation officer in Sargodha.

Flying Officer M. J. O'Brian married June Brown on 18 April 1949, at St. Anthony's Church on Empress Road, Lahore. Both families were very old residents of Lahore. The bride had won the title of 'Miss Karachi 1949' in a beauty competition.

Michael John O'Brian enlisted in the Royal Indian Air Force on 29 April 1946 after graduating the 39 Course of the Initial Training Wing, Pune. He was promoted to Pilot Officer on 29 October 1946.

On 9 December 1946, he was struck by a Spitfire Mk XIVe while parked in his Spitfire LF Mk VIII at RIAF Station Ambala. There were no injuries. He was promoted to Flying Officer on 29 April 1947.

After the Partition of British India in August 1947, he joined the Royal Pakistan Air Force and participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.

He was promoted to Wing Commander on 1 August 1961 and commanded the No. 35 Wing PAF until 28 January 1962.

O'Brian played an important role in setting up the training institutes within the Pakistan Air Force. He was appointed as the 12th Commandant PAF Academy in September 1969 until February 1973 when he was given command of PAF Base Korangi Creek.

On 13 May 1974, O'Brian was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff until 31 August 1975. The following day, he became the first officer of the PAF to be appointed as the Commandant of the National Defence College, Islamabad.

On 22 April 1976, Commandant O'Brian led a delegation of the college on a visit to Peking, China where banquets were held by both countries for each other. The Pakistani delegation returned to Pakistan on 3 May 1976.

He retired from the Air Force in April 1978.

He lived a quiet life and died on 1 December 1995.