josé maría treviño ruiz

Born in Granada in 1948, he entered the Escuela Naval Militar in 1965, obtaining the rank of Ensign de Navío in 1970 with an extraordinary end-of-degree award. He also holdsseveral national and international courses, and is an intelligence analyst of theUS Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), NATO and EMACON, combat diver and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (TEDAX) from the ET Artillery Academy.He has served as an officer on board the destroyer Temerario (D-37), the rescue ship Poseidon (AS-01) and the submarine Narciso.

During the years 1978/79 he sailed on board the School-Ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano, on its 5th round the world voyage as a communications officer and English teacher. His shore postings include 4 years in the Intelligence Division ofthe Joint Defence Staff, as well as six postings as Commander at sea, including the Unit of Mine Action Divers (UBMCM) and the frigate Navarra (F-85) as frigate captain, participating in the naval blockade of the former Yugoslavia. Commander of the Spanish-Italian Amphibious Force (SIAF), he also carried out the transport of the Plus Ultra Brigade to Iraq with amphibious ships.

As Vice Admiral, he was Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at NATO Operational Headquarters in Lisbon, coordinating the only activation of the NATO Response Force (NRF)in support of Pakistan. On 22 September 2006, he was appointedSpain’s Military Representative to NATO and EU Military Committees.

He is currently a Defence Advisor to TécnicasReunidas, working on the development of air independent propulsion (AIP) systems for submarines. His many decorations include three Grand Crosses for Naval Merit, Aeronautical Merit and the Order of San Hermenegildo, as well as the Commendation of the Order of Merit of the French Republic.