Collins Barry (ZAF Commander) Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth, Career & More

Collins Barry is the current Commander of the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), the highest-ranking officer in the country’s aerial warfare branch. He was appointed to this position by President Hakainde Hichilema on August 29, 2023, and sworn in at State House the next day. He was also promoted from Brigadier General to Lieutenant General, a three-star rank.

But who is Collins Barry, and how did he rise to the top of the ZAF? What are his achievements, challenges, and aspirations? In this article, we will explore his biography, wiki, age, wife, family, net worth, career, and more.

Birthday, Education, Parents

Collins Barry was born in Solwezi, North-Western Province, in 1974 (age: 49 years, as of 2023). He is the second-born in a family of six children. His mother is Kaonde, a Zambian ethnic group, and his father is Scottish, a British national. He grew up on his grandfather John Hazel’s farm in Kapijimpanga village, Solwezi.

He attended Kikombe Primary School in Solwezi, where he joined the Boy Scouts and became a scout police. He was able to command the Boy Scout flights at the age of 11. He also met Zambia’s founding president Kenneth Kaunda, the country’s chief scout, when he visited Solwezi on Independence Day.

He later went to Solwezi Technical School (SOTECH) for his secondary education. He faced some challenges as a white boy in a predominantly black school. He was bullied, made fun of, and called names by some of his classmates. He was also not accepted by some of his teachers, who doubted his Zambian identity. He said that this experience made him more sensitive and resilient.

He excelled in his studies, especially in mathematics and science. He also developed an interest in aviation and dreamed of becoming a pilot. He applied to join the ZAF after completing his grade 12 in 1992. He was among the few who passed the rigorous selection process and was admitted to the ZAF Flying Training School in Livingstone.

Collins Barry (ZAF Commander) Nationality, Wiki/Bio

Military Career and Achievements

Collins Barry began his military career as a cadet pilot in 1993. He underwent basic and advanced flying training on the SF-260 and the L-29 aircraft. He graduated as a pilot officer in 1995 and was posted to the ZAF Transport Wing in Lusaka. He flew various transport aircraft, such as the Y-12, the BN-2, the C-130, and the MA-60. He also participated in several humanitarian and peacekeeping missions in the region and beyond.

He rose through the ranks and held various positions in the ZAF, such as flight commander, squadron commander, base commander, and wing commander. He also attended several professional and academic courses, both locally and internationally. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Zambia in 2002. He also obtained a Master of Science degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from the National Defence College in India in 2012.

He was appointed as the ZAF Chief of Operations in 2018, a position he held until his appointment as the ZAF Commander in 2023. He is responsible for planning, directing, and executing all ZAF operations, both at home and abroad. He is also in charge of the ZAF’s modernization and transformation program, which aims to enhance the ZAF’s capabilities and readiness.

He has received several awards and decorations for his distinguished service and performance, such as the Distinguished Service Order, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and the Golden Jubilee Medal. He is also a qualified flying instructor and a test pilot. He has logged over 5,000 flying hours on various aircraft types.

Marriage Life

Collins Barry (ZAF Commander) is married to Sharmaine Barry, a Zambian of Indian descent. They met in 1998 when he was flying a C-130 aircraft from Lusaka to Ndola. She was one of the passengers on board. They fell in love and got married in 2000. They have three children, two sons and a daughter. They live in Lusaka, where the ZAF headquarters are located.

He is a devout Christian and a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He attends the Lusaka Central Church, where he serves as an elder and a choir member. He is also a philanthropist and a mentor. He supports various charitable causes, such as orphanages, schools, and hospitals. He also mentors young people, especially those who aspire to join the ZAF or pursue aviation careers.

He is a sports enthusiast and a fitness fanatic. He enjoys playing soccer, golf, and tennis. He also likes jogging, cycling, and swimming. He is a fan of Manchester United, a British soccer club. He also likes reading, watching movies, and listening to music. His favorite genres are gospel, country, and rock.

Hichilema Shakes Up Zambia’s Security Sector, Appoints New Chiefs

Zambia’s newly-elected President Hakainde Hichilema has made sweeping changes to the country’s security sector, appointing new chiefs for the army, the air force, the national service, and the police. The move comes three days after his inauguration, which marked the end of the 10-year rule of his predecessor, Edgar Lungu.

Hichilema announced the new appointments on Sunday night, through his official Twitter account and a press statement. He said that the changes were aimed at enhancing the professionalism, accountability, and efficiency of the security forces, as well as restoring public confidence and trust in them.

He also urged the new appointees to uphold the constitutional mandate of the security forces, which is to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security of Zambia. He added that they must also respect human rights, freedoms, and liberties of the citizens, and refrain from partisan politics.

The new security chiefs are as follows:

• Lieutenant General Dennis Alibuzwi, the new Zambia Army Commander. He was previously the Deputy Army Commander and Chief of Staff. He replaces Lieutenant General William Sikazwe, who has been retired.
• Major General Geoffrey Zyeele, the new Deputy Army Commander and Chief of Staff. He was previously a Brigadier General.
• Lieutenant General Collins Barry, the new Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander. He was previously a Brigadier General and the ZAF Chief of Operations. He replaces Lieutenant General David Muma, who has been retired.
• Major General Oscar Nyoni, the new ZAF Deputy Commander. He was previously a Brigadier General.
• Lieutenant General Patrick Solochi, the new Zambia National Service (ZNS) Commandant. He was previously a Brigadier General and the ZNS Deputy Commandant. He replaces Lieutenant General Nathan Mulenga, who has been retired.

Height, Weight

• Height: 5 feet 7 inches (approx)
• Weight: 80 kg (approx)
• Eye color: Black
• Body measurements: Not available
• Skin color: Black
• Hair color: Black

Net Worth

Collins Barry is one of the highest-paid public servants in Zambia. As the ZAF Commander, he earns a monthly salary of about K150,000 (US$7,500). He also receives various allowances and benefits, such as housing, transport, medical, and security. He has an estimated net worth of about K10 million (US$500,000).

Collins Barry is a remarkable and inspiring leader, who has overcome many challenges and achieved many successes in his life. He is a role model and a hero to many Zambians, especially the young generation. He is a proud and passionate Zambian, who has contributed significantly to the development and security of his nation. He is a boy scout who became Zambia’s top air force officer.