Michael John O'Brian

Air Vice Marshal Michael John O'Brian (Urdu: ; 5 January 1928 — 1 December 1995) known as M.J. O'Brian and Micky O'Brian was a two-star rank pioneering officer of the Pakistan Air Force who held the distinction of being the only Air Force officer to serve as Commandant of the National Defence College, Islamabad. He served as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff from 1974 to 1975. O'Brian was one of the distinguished Christian pilots who participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Throughout his career, O'Brian served as the Commandant of National Defence College, Islamabad, Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Base Commander PAF Base Korangi Creek, Commandant PAF Academy, and Commander No. 35 Wing.

Early life
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 a Excise and Taxation officer in Sargodha.

Royal Indian Air Force career and accident
O'Brian enlisted in the Royal Indian Air Force on 29 April 1946 after graduating the 39 Course of the Initial Training Wing, Pune. O'Brian 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 Ambala. There were no injuries.

Pakistan Air Force career and education
After the partition of British India, he joined the Pakistan Air Force and participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. O'Brian was promoted to Flying Officer on 29 April 1947. After the war, O'Brian pursued his Bachelor of Science in mathematics at Forman Christian College in 1948.

O'Brian attended the College of Flying Training, where he gained a Bachelor of Science in aviation sciences and received a Certified Diploma in Flying from the Flying Instructors School. O'Brian held a Master of Science in Military Science and honorary PhD in War studies from National Defence College, Islamabad.

O'Brian was promoted to Wing Commander on 1 August 1961 commanding the No. 35 Wing until 28 January 1962.

O'Brian played an important role in setting up the training institutes within the Pakistan Air Force.

O'Brian was appointed as the 12th Commandant PAF Academy in September 1969 until February 1973.

In February 1973, O'Brian 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.

Visit to Peking
On 22 April 1976, Commandant O'Brian led the delegation of the National Defence College, Islamabad 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.

O'Brian retired in April 1978.

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