José Julio Rodríguez Fernández
| José Julio Rodríguez Fernández | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | José Julio Rodríguez Fernández |
| Born |
June 8, 1948 Ourense, Spain |
| Allegiance |
 Spain |
| Service/branch |
 Spanish Air Force |
| Years of service | 1969–2012 |
| Rank | Air Force General |
| Commands held | Chief of the Defence Staff |
José Julio Rodríguez Fernández (born June 8, 1948) is a Spanish Air Force general who was the Chief of the Spanish Defence Staff from 2006 until 2012. He transferred to the reserve with administrative effects of 31 December 2011.
On 18 July 2008, Rodríguez Fernández was appointed the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Spanish Armed Forces, replacing Felix Sanz Roldán.[1] Rodríguez Fernández retired as Chief of the Defence Staff on Monday 2 January 2012, to be succeeded by General Admiral Fernando García Sánchez, the former Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff.[2]
Career
He has served as a fighter pilot 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.
On 31 December 2011 he was transferred to the reserve, pending his retirement.
He holds, among other awards, the Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo and the Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit.
Decorations and badges
| Spanish military decorations | |
 |
Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegild |
 |
Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit |
 |
Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild (Insignia, Knight Commander and Cross) |
 |
Cross of Aeronautical Merit (x3) |
References
- ↑ "GENERAL DEL AIRE, D. JOSÉ JULIO RODRÍGUEZ FERNÁNDEZ". mde.es.
- ↑ "Admiral General, D. Fernando García Sánchez took possession as Chief of the Defence Staff". Spanish Ministry of Defence Website.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to José Julio Rodríguez Fernández. |
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Félix Sanz Roldán |
Chief of Defence Staff 18 July 2008 – 2 January 2012  |
Succeeded by Fernando García Sánchez |