Major General Jaime Iñiguez
Expert
Retired Major General of the Spanish Army Special Operations Forces (SOF), with over four decades of military service across national and NATO command structures.
He commanded Spain’s Joint Special Operations Command (MCOE) and led the Special Operations Component Command of the NATO Response Force (NRF 2018). He later served as NATO Senior Mentor (SOF), supporting strategic SOF development across the Alliance.
His career spans tactical command, multinational operational planning, NATO force integration, and high-level special operations governance.
Expert Role
Jaime advises on special operations command, NATO SOF integration, multinational force planning, and joint special operations capability development.
Professional Background
Jaime began his career in Spanish Special Operations units, commanding SOF companies and serving in airborne and rapid action formations. He later held senior planning and operations roles within Spanish Joint Operations Command and NATO structures.
As Chief of Staff of the Spanish Army Special Operations Command, he contributed to the establishment and operational readiness of NATO SOF elements within the NATO Response Force framework.
He served at NATO Headquarters in Mons as Chief of J5 Plans and Policy of the NATO Special Operations Coordination Centre (now Allied SOFCOM), where he managed the transition of the organisation into a recognised NATO Military Body.
Promoted to Brigadier General and later Major General, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the NATO Rapid Deployment Corps (Greece) before returning to Spain to establish and command the Spanish Joint Special Operations Command (MCOE).
He has operational deployment experience in Central America (UN Military Observer), Bosnia (IFOR), Kosovo (KFOR), and Afghanistan, where he directed the NATO Special Operations Forces Fusion Cell.
Following retirement from active duty in 2019, he served as NATO Senior Mentor (SOF) from 2021 to 2025.
He is also the author of Spanish Special Operations Stories (2023).
Education
Spanish Military Academy (Zaragoza)
Special Operations Forces Course
General Staff College (Spain)
US Army School for Command Preparation (CGSC, Fort Leavenworth, USA)
Combined Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command Course, NATO School (Oberammergau)
Additional qualifications in airborne, military intelligence, and diving operations