José M. Portela

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José M. Portela
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal
with three oak leaf clusters

Brigadier General José M. Portela (Ret.), (born June 16, 1949), is a retired officer of the

United States Air Force Reserve.[2]

Early years

Portela was born on June 16, 1949, and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he received his primary and secondary education. He enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico after he graduated from high school and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration in 1969 at the age of 19.[1]

Military career

Portela joined the United States Air Force Reserves and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps while still 19 years of age. In June 1969 he received his undergraduate pilot training at Webb Air Force Base in Texas and earned his pilot wings in June 1970. Promoted to first lieutenant, he was assigned to the 41st Military Airlift Squadron at Charleston AFB, S.C. and flew C-141A Starlifter during which time he became the youngest C-141A aircraft commander at age 22. On June 8, 1972, he was promoted to captain and, in September 1972, served with the 3rd Military Airlift Squadron which briefly operated the new Lockheed C-5A Galaxy at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina.[1][3] B. General Portela served at CAFB, S.C. until July 1973, when he joined the Air Force Reserves as a C-5A Initial Cadre pilot with the 312th Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, California.[3]

C-141 Starlifter
which Portela commanded at age 22

He served in a variety of flying, command and staff positions from November 1982 to November 1984, during which time he was promoted to the rank of major (June 8, 1983) and served as a C-5 flight examiner, 326th Military Airlift Squadron at

Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, where he served as a C-5 standardization/evaluation chief and airlift control flight commander until June 1992, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel on June 17, 1987. During this timeframe he completed the National Security Management Course at the National Defense University.[1]

From June 1992 to August 1995, Portela served in the following positions at Headquarters: United States Air Force in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.p; Individual mobilization augmentee, VJ3, United States Southern Command and Latin American affairs political/military officer (XOXXW) (June 1992 -October 1992); Individual mobilization augmentee, VJ3, United States Southern Command and plans and issues officer (XOXX) (October 1992 -June 1993) and Individual mobilization augmentee to the chief, Mobility Forces Division (XOFM) (June 1993 -August 1995). He was promoted to colonel on July 1, 1992. During this time frame, Portela attended the following courses: Joint Warfare Operations Course (1993) and National Security and Decision Making, Strategy and Policy Courses (1995) at the Naval War College and the Reserve Components National Security Course (1994) at the National War College.[1]

From August 1995 to July 2004, Portela served in the following positions: vice commander and inspector general, 512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base (1995–1998); vice commander, 22nd Air Force, (1998–2000), during which he was promoted to Brigadier General (June 30, 1999) and as mobilization assistant to the vice commander (2000–2003) at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. He served as mobilization assistant to the undersecretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, at the Pentagon at Washington, DC. from January 2003 to July 2004 before being assigned Assistant Adjutant General for Air also serving as Commander of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, San Juan, P.R., position in which he served from January 11, 2005, to November 7, 2006.[1]

As command pilot, Portela has flown the following military aircraft:

Bosnia.[1][3]

Civilian occupation

Portela has flown

Dallas, Texas, with his family.[3]

Military decorations and awards

Among Brigadier General Portela's many military decorations are the following:

Badges:

Effective dates of promotion

Rank Date
Second Lieutenant 8 June 1969
First Lieutenant
 8 December 1970
Captain 8 June 1972
Major 8 June 1983
Lieutenant Colonel 17 June 1987
Colonel 1 July 1992
Brigadier General 30 June 1999

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h National Guard Bureau Archived 2009-04-06 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "El Nuevo Día". www.elnuevodia.com. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  3. ^ a b c d El Hispano News

Further reading

  • Puertorriquenos Who Served With Guts, Glory, and Honor. Fighting to Defend a Nation Not Completely Their Own; by : Greg Boudonck;
    ISBN 978-1497421837
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