Commander of Spanish Maritime Forces

Rear-Admiral (UH) José M. Núñez was born in Ferrol in November 20th 1964. He joined the Spanish Navy (SPN) in 1983, becoming Lieutenant Jr. Grade on July 16th 1988. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1991, Lieutenant-Commander in 1999, Commander in 2008 and Captain in 2014. In September 2018 reached the rank of Rear-Admiral (LH) and, in February 2021, Rear-Admiral (UH).

He is Naval Aviator by the USN Training Command and has served in the 8th Squadron, flying the Harrier “AV-8S”. At sea, his fleet duties have included assignments on board Aircraft Carrier “Príncipe de Asturias”; Commanding Officer of Patrol Boat “Cándido Perez”; Commanding Officer of Minehunter “Turia”, with two deployments integrated in MCMFORSOUTH; and Commanding Officer of the First Squadron of the Spanish Mine Counter Measures Force.

Other duty assignments, at sea and ashore, include: ACOS Operations in SPN Fleet Amphibious and Projection Group, participating in Operation Enduring Freedom (EF), in 2002, and Operation Iraki Freedom (IF), in 2003; SPN Aircraft Flotilla; STRIKFORNATO HQ, participating in NRF-12; XO and Chief of Studies of SPN Naval Academy, when the new Officers Teaching Model was instituted; ACOS Plans in the SPN Maritime Action Force; Officers Section in the Naval Teaching Office; and, finally, Superintendent of SPN Naval Academy.

As Flag Officer he was assigned as SPN Fleet Chief of Staff, where he also served as Chief of Staff for the Maritime Component Commander during National Operations against the COVID-19 pandemic: “BALMIS” and “Mission BALUARTE”. On February 2021 he was assigned as Commander of the SPN High Readiness Maritime HQ, which is his current duty assignment. Additionally, and simultaneously, he commanded the Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA from April 2021 till November 2023.

He is specialist in Naval Communications, completed the Advanced and Command Staff Course in the United Kingdom and is in possession of the Master’s Degree on Defense Studies by the King´s College of London. He also completed the Combined Force Maritime Component Commander Course with the US Naval War College and the General Flag Officers and Ambassadors Course in NADEFCOL.

He has English language accreditation SLP 4.4.4.4.

Vice Admiral Núñez has been awarded with the SPN Naval Merit Great Cross, the Spanish Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo Great Cross, the EU Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) Medal for Extraordinary Meritorious Service and several national and international decorations.

He is married to Cristina and they have three children.