General Leonardo Romanini appointed head of Chilean Air Force for 2026-2030
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General Leonardo Romanini, 62, has been confirmed as the new commander of the Chilean Air Force for the 2026‑2030 term, succeeding General Hugo Rodríguez González whose four‑year term ends in 2026, and will assume the role in a ceremony on October 30, 2026. Romanini previously led the FACh General Staff from 2022 and took over the Joint Chiefs of Staff (EMCO) in 2025, and has logged more than 3,300 flight hours on aircraft including the C‑101/A‑36 Halcón, A‑37B Dragonfly, Mirage 50 Pantera and Lockheed Martin F‑16 Block 50. The Ministry of Defense thanked General Rodríguez González for his contributions to organizational strengthening and operational readiness.
Romanini’s agenda includes replacing the aging F‑5 fleet, evaluating the acquisition of a fifth‑generation fighter such as the F‑35A, modernising the existing F‑16 fleet and enhancing cyber defence and space capabilities.