Spanish Navy

Admiral Palomino was born in Consuegra (Toledo). He joined the Spanish Navy in August 1969 and was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade in 1974.

He served on board the destroyer "Blas de Lezo", minesweeper "Genil" and aircraft carrier "Príncipe de Asturias".

He is a naval pilot, having flown SH-3D helicopters from the 5th Squadron and AV-8 Harrier aircraft from the 8th Squadron.

He has been commanding officer of the following ships: patrol boat "Bonifaz", offshore tug "Las Palmas", amphibious landing ship "Hernán Cortés" and aircraft carrier "Príncipe de Asturias".

Admiral Palomino has a Naval Warfare diploma. He was assigned to the Fleet Staff for three years as a Spanish Navy representative in the EUROMARFOR Permanent Cell.

He was also assigned to the Doctrine Section of the Plans and Integration Department of the Personnel Head Office.

In October 2003 he was promoted to Rear-Admiral and assigned to the Spanish Navy Staff in Madrid as Chief of the Communications and Information Systems Division (CIS).

In January 2004 he was appointed Commander of the Fleet Projection Group (COMGRUFLOT) and Commander of the Spanish-Italian Amphibious Force (COMSIAF). He was also Chief of the first Spanish contingent in the Lebanon during operation "Libre Hidalgo".

In October 2006 he was promoted to Vice-Admiral and appointed Commander of COMSPMARFOR (Spanish High Readiness Maritime Headquarters).

On September 5th 2008 he was promoted to Admiral and appointed Personnel Chief of the Spanish Naval Staff.

He is married to María Dora Solla Martínez and has three children.