Miguel Ángel Villarroya Facts for Kids

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Villarroya.

Quick facts for kids Miguel Ángel Villarroya
In 2019
Born	(1957-05-15) 15 May 1957 (age 68) La Galera, Tarragona, Spain
Allegiance	Kingdom of Spain
Service/branch	Spanish Air and Space Force
Years of service	1980–2021
Rank	General of the Air
Commands held	Chief of the Defence Staff Chief of the Defence Minister' Technical Cabinet Chief of the Canary Islands Air Command Chief of the Torrejón Air Base
Battles/wars	Liberation of Kuwait campaign Spanish Icarus Detachment (air force support to the Balkans) Rwandan Civil War
Awards	See Awards.

Miguel Ángel Villarroya Vilalta, born on May 15, 1957, is a Spanish Air Force general. He served as the top military leader in Spain, known as the Chief of the Defence Staff, from 2020 to 2021. Before this important role, he worked closely with the Defence Ministers as the Chief of their Technical Cabinet from 2017 to 2020.

Biography
- Early Life and Education
- Military Career
Awards
Personal Life
Images for kids
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Biography

Early Life and Education

Miguel Ángel Villarroya was born in La Galera, a town in Tarragona, Spain, on May 15, 1957. He developed a passion for flying early on, earning his civil pilot's license when he was just 17 years old.

A year later, he joined the General Air Force Academy in San Javier. There, he began his military training. He became a lieutenant in 1980. He also completed studies to become a General Staff officer. Throughout his career, Villarroya has spent more than 9,800 hours flying, mostly in Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft.

Military Career

After finishing his studies at the Air Force Academy in 1980, Miguel Ángel Villarroya joined the Matacán Schools Group. This group trains air force officers for leadership roles and other important skills. In 1981, he was assigned to the 31st Wing, which is an Air Force transport unit. He was promoted to captain in 1983 and then to commander in 1989 while serving there.

In July 1996, he was assigned to the Operative Air Force Command Headquarters. Two years later, in November 1998, he became a lieutenant colonel.

From 2000 to 2005, Villarroya led the forces at the Torrejón Air Base. He was promoted to colonel and then became the chief of the Torrejón Air Base, a position he held from 2005 to 2011. In April 2012, he was appointed Deputy Director of the European Air Group. In May 2014, he became the chief of the General Secretariat of the Air Force General Staff.

Villarroya joined the Air Force's group of generals in January 2011, when he was promoted to brigadier general. Three years later, he became a divisional general. As a divisional general, he was in charge of the Canary Islands Air Command until April 2017. At that time, the Defence Minister, María Dolores de Cospedal, appointed him as her Technical Cabinet Director. He was also promoted to lieutenant general.

In June 2018, a new government took office, and Margarita Robles became the Minister of Defense. She kept Villarroya as the Director of the Technical Cabinet.

In January 2020, the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, appointed Villarroya as the Chief of the Defence Staff. This is the highest military position in Spain. He was also promoted to Air General.

In January 2021, Villarroya resigned from his role as Chief of the Defence Staff. This happened after information came out about more than 100 high-ranking officers, including himself, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine earlier than planned. He was replaced by Admiral General Teodoro Esteban López Calderón on January 27, 2021.

After his resignation, on February 3, 2021, he became a member of the Assembly of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild. On March 16, 2021, he was appointed as a Defense Counselor for Spain's mission to the Organization of American States (OAS). He also became an advisor for Hemispheric Security Affairs.

Awards

Miguel Ángel Villarroya has received many awards and badges for his service. These are special recognitions for his achievements and dedication in the military.

Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit, white badge.
Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild.
Commander with Star of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild.
Commander of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild.
Cross of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild.
Grand Cross of the Civil Guard Merit.
Cross of Aeronautical Merit, 2nd class.
Cross of Aeronautical Merit, 1st class (2).
Cross of Aeronautical Merit, white badge (2).
Cross of Military Merit, 1st class.
Silver Cross of the Order of the Civil Guard Merit.
Commander by Number of the Royal and Much Distinguished Order of Charles III.
Commander of the Royal and American Order of Isabella the Catholic.
Kuwait Liberation Medal.
NATO Medal.
Medal of the National Order of Merit of the Republic of Malta, "Companion" grade.

Badges

Pilot Badge (Spain).
Badge of Peacekeeping Operations with "Persian Gulf", "Provide Comfort", "UNPROFOR" and "Adriatic" pins (Spain).
Badge of the Military Staff of the Air Force (Spain).
Badge of the Chief of the Defence Staff (Spain).