José Julio Rodríguez Fernández
Encyclopedia
José Julio Rodríguez Fernández (born June 8, 1948) is a Spanish Air Force
general who serves as Chief of Defence Staff of the Spanish Armed Forces
. Rodríguez Fernández assumed his current assignment on 18 July 2008, replacing Felix Sanz Roldán.
and has also flown transport aircraft, he later studied management and has graduated from Air Staff training in Spain, the United States and Britain.
He was initially assigned first to the 21 Wing base in Morón de la Frontera
. After his promotion to captain, transferred to 11 Wing at Manises
. Since 1982 he has been assigned to Logistics Support Command and the Development Programme for European fighter aircraft Eurofighter Typhoon in Munich. He became Head of Logistic Command after three years (1991–1994) in the unit of the F-18 Wing 31 in Zaragoza
.
In 2000 was elevated to the rank of Brigadier General
, occupying the post of Head of Planning Division of Staff and also President of Project Refuelling in NATO. After promotion to Major General
became responsible for administrative aspects of the Spanish Strategic Plan for Telecommunications and Information Systems and Director General of Armament and Equipment of the Spanish Ministry of Defence.
He holds, among other awards, the Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo
and the Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit.
|-
|valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;"
| colspan=2 |Spanish military decorations
|-
| align=center |
| Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegild
|-
| align=center |
| Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit
|-
| align=center |
| Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild
(Insignia, Knight Commander and Cross)
|-
| align=center |
| Cross of Aeronautical Merit (x3)
|}
Spanish Air Force
-The early stages:Hot air balloons had been used with military purposes in Spain as far back as 1896. In 1905, with the help of Alfredo Kindelán, Leonardo Torres y Quevedo directed the construction of the first Spanish dirigible in the Army Military Aerostatics Service, created in 1896 and located...
general who serves as Chief of Defence Staff of the Spanish Armed Forces
Spanish Armed Forces
The Spanish Armed Forces are the military forces of the Kingdom of Spain. The Spanish Armed Forces are a modern military force charged with defending the Kingdom's integrity and sovereignty...
. Rodríguez Fernández assumed his current assignment on 18 July 2008, replacing Felix Sanz Roldán.
Career
He has served as a fighter pilotFighter pilot
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...
and has also flown transport aircraft, he later studied management and has graduated from Air Staff training in Spain, the United States and Britain.
He was initially assigned first to the 21 Wing base in Morón de la Frontera
Morón de la Frontera
Morón de la Frontera is a Spanish town in Seville province, Andalusia, 63 km South-East of Seville. It is primarily known as being home to Morón Air Base. The most remarkable monuments are the Moorish castle ruins and the main church...
. After his promotion to captain, transferred to 11 Wing at Manises
Manises
Manises is a municipality in the comarca of Horta Oest in the Valencian Community, Spain. Located in the province of Valencia, it had 30,508 inhabitants in 2009 and is famous for its pottery and house in the municipality the Valencia Airport....
. Since 1982 he has been assigned to Logistics Support Command and the Development Programme for European fighter aircraft Eurofighter Typhoon in Munich. He became Head of Logistic Command after three years (1991–1994) in the unit of the F-18 Wing 31 in Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Zaragoza , also called Saragossa in English, is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain...
.
In 2000 was elevated to the rank of Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
, occupying the post of Head of Planning Division of Staff and also President of Project Refuelling in NATO. After promotion to Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
became responsible for administrative aspects of the Spanish Strategic Plan for Telecommunications and Information Systems and Director General of Armament and Equipment of the Spanish Ministry of Defence.
He holds, among other awards, the Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo
Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo
The Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild is both a general military honor and a legion created by Fernando VII of Spain dating from 1814....
and the Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit.
Decorations and badges
{| style="width:100%;"|-
|valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;"
| colspan=2 |Spanish military decorations
|-
| align=center |
| Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegild
Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo
The Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild is both a general military honor and a legion created by Fernando VII of Spain dating from 1814....
|-
| align=center |
| Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit
|-
| align=center |
| Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild
Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo
The Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild is both a general military honor and a legion created by Fernando VII of Spain dating from 1814....
(Insignia, Knight Commander and Cross)
|-
| align=center |
| Cross of Aeronautical Merit (x3)
|}