Fleet Commander

Eugenio Diaz Del Rio was born in Vigo (northwest Spain) on October 11, 1961. He joined the Navy on August 18, 1980. In July 1985 he graduated as Lieutenant Junior Grade.

With that rank he served on board corvette ‘Cazadora’ as Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer and Naval Gun Fire Support Observer. After that he commanded patrol boat ‘Toralla’.

He was promoted to Lieutenant in July 1988, and in this rank he was assigned both to the Tactical and Training Program Center of the Fleet -responsible for the ‘Principe de Asturias’ aircraft carrier combat system software- and to the Fleet Training and Assessment Center (CEVACO) as head of Above Water Warfare (AWW) branch.

He served on board frigate ‘Santa María’ for almost four years, participating in the KUWAIT Liberation War of 1990, as well as in exercises, operations and deployments of NATO'S Standing Naval Forces (STANAVFORLANT and STANAVFORMED). On board this ship he served as Navigator, Communications, C.I.C. Officer, Electronic Warfare Officer and Tactical Action Officer (TAO). As Lieutenant he also commanded the fast patrol boat ‘Laya’.

In July 1997 he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and, in September that year, he took the Naval Staff Course. As Lt-Cdr he served as Chief of Staff of the 41st Escort Squadron in 1998 and 1999. In 2000, he was Staff Operations Officer (one year turn) of NATO'S Standing Naval Force in the Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED). He was commanding officer of corvette ‘Vencedora’ and was subsequently assigned as advisor to the Minister of Defense.

He was promoted to Commander in 2004 and posted to NATO’s Maritime Component Command (MCC) Staff at Northwood (U.K.) where he dealt with all NATO Response Force issues, Operational Planning and Maritime Situational Awareness. In September 2007, he took command of the Spanish Navy AEGIS Air Defense frigate ‘Méndez Núñez’ deploying in the Indian Ocean and conducting counter-piracy operations off the Somali Coast and taking part in several NATO and national exercises.

In April 2009 he was posted to the Spanish Navy General Staff as Branch Head for Strategic Plans (in the Plans and Policy Division); while in that position he was promoted to Captain, but was temporarily promoted to Rear-Admiral (OF-6) on June 15 2013 and assumed Command of the SNMG2 until July 2014. During this tour of duty he was deployed six months in the Mediterranean and Black Seas mainly in operation ‘Active Endeavour’ and seven months in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf where he assumed duties as CTF508 (NATO Anti-Piracy Operation Ocean Shield).

Once he finished his NATO Command he was appointed Chief of the Private Office of the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy (AJEMA). In September 2015 is was promoted to Rear Admiral and posted as Chief of the Plans & Policy Division in the Spanish Navy General Staff.

In July 2016 he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), being promoted to Vice-Admiral in April 2018. In May 2020 he assumed Command of the Spanish Maritime Forces (COMSPMARFOR).

Eugenio Diaz del Rio is a specialist on Naval Combat Systems Software, Tactical Action Officer and a Naval War College Graduate.

In February 2021 he was promoted to Admiral and appointed Fleet Commander.

As Fleet Commander his task is to ensure the readiness and certification of all naval units, Staffs and task groups, to plan and carry out the scheduled activities and cover the requirements issued by the Chief of the Defense Staff, as well as the specific permanent missions of the Spanish Navy and support the State Action at Sea.

The Fleet Commander may also exercise the Operational Command of the Maritime Component Command (MCC) or operate as Commander of a Joint Force. It is also responsibility of the Fleet Commander to exercise the National Submarine Control Authority (SUBOPAUTH).

Admiral Díaz del Río has been awarded the Grand Crosses of San Hermenegildo and Naval Merit; six crosses of Naval Merit; the Military Merit cross, the Air Force Merit cross; the Guardia Civil Merit cross and two foreign medals: Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Naval Medal of the Republic of Chile and two NATO Medals (Active Endeavour and Africa). He has also been awarded the NATO Meritorious Medal.

He is married to Amparo Sotelo and has five children and three grandchildren.