Profile
Surnames: Salto Martínez-Avial.
First name: Javier.
Date of birth: 10.12.1955.
Family: married, three children.
Certifications
Languages
Record of professional experience
In 1978, following completion of his training at ESPAF Air Academy (30th promotion) with the rank of Lieutenant, he is assigned to Fighter School. His first operational post takes place in 1979 with the 464 Squadron at Gando Airbase flying the F-5A, and subsequently, between 1981 and 1993, the Mirage F.1 (462 Squadron) as an instructor pilot.
In 1993 he takes the Air Force General Staff Course with the United States Air Force (ACSC) in Maxwell AFB (USA). In 1994, he graduates with General Staff diploma and is assigned to the General Staff at the Canary Islands Air Command. In 1995 he is posted to NATO Headquarters in Naples AIRSOUTH for a period of 6 months.
In 1997 he is assigned to NATO “NETMA” Agency in Munich for three years as a specialist in operational factors for the Programme Eurofighter 2000. Upon completion, he is sent to EF2000 programme Office at the ESPAF Logistic Support Command (MALOG).
In June 2003 he is promoted to the rank of Colonel, and is appointed Commander of the 11th Wing and Moron Airbase, position that he holds for three years during which he pilots the EF2000.
From July 2006 to November 2008 he serves as Director of Operations at the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre no. 8 (CAOC 8).
In November 2008 he is promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and is appointed Deputy Director of Materiel Management at MALOG. In December 2009 he is appointed Head of the EF2000 Programme, and Spanish Representative at the Programme’s Steering Committee, being then appointed “Chairman” of the aforementioned Committee.
In January 2011 he is promoted to the rank of Major General, and is appointed Director of Weapons Systems at MALOG, becoming the Spanish Representative for the International Steering Committee (SC) of the EF2000 Programme, and the Spanish Representative for the A400 (PC) Programme Steering Committee.
In June 2012 he is appointed Chief of the Canary Islands Air Command.
In June 2015 he is promoted to Lieutenant General, and is appointed Director of the Executive Office of the Minister of Defence.
By Royal Decree 352/2017 of 31 March, he is appointed Chief of Staff of the Spanish Air Force, being promoted to the rank of Air General.
Throughout his career, he has accumulated more than 3.000 flight hours, mainly on Mirage F1, and finally, on EF2000.
Very fond of all sports, especially the Golf, where he currently holds handicap 5
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