COMMANDER COMMODORE JOSÉ ANTÓNIO MIRONES SPANISH NAVY COMMANDER OF STANDING NATO MARITIME GROUP TWO (SNMG1) José António Mirones was born in 1965 and joined the Portuguese Navy Naval Academy in 1983, graduating with the class of 88. After Fleet training, including involvement in disaster relief in the North Sea, in the aftermath of Piper Alfa oil rig disaster, and exchange with the United States Navy, in USS Joseph Hewes, his early years were spent at sea as a bridge watch-keeper, carrying out fishery protection and maritime securityoperations. Principal Warfare Officer in several frigates, was also Head of Department (Operations) and Executive officer with operational deployments to the Adriatic, supporting EU and NATO embargo operations; Mediterranean, namely Operation Enduring Freedom, in the wake of September 11th; Baltic; Artic Ocean and wider Atlantic. He completed the specialist ASW´s course in 1999. Took command of the frigate Bartolomeu Dias, in January 2009, as her first Commanding Officer. Promoted to Captain, acted as CTG (EUROMARFOR TG) for two occasions and, more recently, as Commodore, was the force commander for the EU naval operation ATALANTA, in the Indian Ocean. His staff appointments have included two tours at the Naval Staff (Plans and Policy and External Affairs Division). His last shore assignment was as Military Assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff. José António Mirones personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Cross as well as various campaign ribbons and foreign medals. @NATOMaritimeCommand @NATO_MARCOM @NATO HQ MARCOM Allied Maritime Command I Public Affairs OfficeI [email protected] I www.mc.nato.int.