Commander of Spanish Maritime Forces

Vice-admiral José Mª Núñez Torrente was born in Ferrol on November 20th 1964. He entered the Naval Academy in 1983, graduating as Lieutenant Junior Grade in 1988.

He is a naval pilot and has served in the Aircraft Flotilla flying the ‘Harrier AV-8S’. He was also communications officer of the aircraft carrier ‘Príncipe de Asturias’, commanding officer (CO) of patrol boat ‘Cándido Pérez’, CO of minehunter ‘Turia’ participating in two MCMFORSOUTH deployments, and Commander of the First Squadron of the Mine Countermeasures Force.

Other assignments include: Chief of Operations of the Fleet’s Projection Group, where he participated in operations ‘Enduring Freedom’ in 2020 and ‘Iraqi Freedom’ in 2003; Chief of Operations of the Aircraft Flotilla’s Staff; Chief of Intelligence of STRIKFORNATO’s Staff participating in NRF-12; Deputy Superintendent of the Naval Academy; Chief of the Plans division of the Maritime Action Force’s Staff; Chief of the Officers Department of the Naval Education Directorate, and Superintendent of the Naval Academy.

He is a specialist in communications, has a UK Staff diploma and has a ‘Kings College’ Master’s degree on Defense Studies. As flag officer he attended the ‘Combined Force Maritime Component Commander’ course at the US Naval War College.

In September 2018 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed Chief of Staff of the Fleet. In that position he was also Chief of Staff of the Maritime Component of the COVID-19 ‘Balmis’ and ‘Misión Baluarte’ operations fighting the pandemic in Spain.

On February 23rd 2021 he was promoted to Vice-admiral and appointed Commander of the Spanish High Readiness Maritime Forces (COMSPMARFOR).

VA Núñez Torrente has been awarded the Grand Crosses of Naval Merit and ‘San Hermenegildo’ in addition to many other national and international decorations.

Vice-admiral Núñez is married and has three children.