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

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Aerial warfare, air military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part ...

who recently retired from the position of

Assistant Adjutant General An adjutant general is a military chief administrative officer. France In Revolutionary France, the was a senior staff officer, effectively an assistant to a general officer. It was a special position for lieutenant-colonels and colonels in staf ...

for Air, which he held while also serving as commander of the

Puerto Rico Air National Guard The Puerto Rico Air National Guard (PR ANG) — es, Guardia Nacional Aérea de Puerto Rico— is the aerial militia of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. It is, along with the Puerto Ri ...

. In 1972, Portela became the youngest

C-141 Starlifter The Lockheed C-141 Starlifter is a retired military strategic airlifter that served with the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), its successor organization the Military Airlift Command (MAC), and finally the Air Mobility Command (AMC) of the ...

aircraft commander and captain at age 22. Portela is also the only

reservist A reservist is a person who is a member of a military reserve force. They are otherwise civilians, and in peacetime have careers outside the military. Reservists usually go for training on an annual basis to refresh their skills. This person is ...

ever to serve as director of mobility forces for Bosnia.National Guard Bureau
He is also the first native of

Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (; abbreviated PR; tnq, Boriken, ''Borinquen''), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, link=yes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), is a Caribbean island and unincorporated ...

to hold the rank of

Brigadier General Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

in the

United States Air Force Reserve The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) is a major command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, with its headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. It is the federal Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the U.S. Air Force, consisting of commis ...

Early years

Portela was born on June 16, 1949, and raised in

San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan (, , ; Spanish for "Saint John") is the capital city and most populous municipality in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2020 census, it is the 57th-largest city under the juri ...

, where he received his primary and secondary education. He enrolled in the

University of Puerto Rico The University of Puerto Rico ( es, Universidad de Puerto Rico, UPR) is the main public university system in the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is a government-owned corporation with 11 campuses and approximately 58,000 students and 5,3 ...

after he graduated from high school and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration in 1969 at the age of 19.

Military career

Portela joined the United States Air Force Reserves and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is one of the three primary commissioning sources for officers in the United States Air Force and United States Space Force, the other two being the United States Air Force Academy (USAF ...

while still 19 years of age. In June 1969 he received his undergraduate pilot training at Webb Air Force Base in

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...

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 Charleston Air Force Base is a United States military facility located in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force's 628th Air Base Wing (628 ABW), a subordinate elemen ...

South Carolina )'' Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...

. 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 Travis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base under the operational control of the Air Mobility Command (AMC), located three miles (5 km) east of the central business district of the city of Fairfield, in Solano County, California ...

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.El Hispano News
/ref> USAF Lockheed C-141C Starlifter 65-0248

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

Dover Air Force Base Dover Air Force Base or Dover AFB is a United States Air Force base under the operational control of the Air Mobility Command (AMC), located southeast of the city of Dover, Delaware. 436th AW is the host wing and runs the busiest and largest a ...

in Dover, Delaware. In 1984, Portela took the Marine Command and Staff War Course and was reassigned to the 433RD Airlift Wing at Kelly Air Force Base,

, 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 The National Defense University (NDU) is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense, intended to facilitate high-level education, training, and professional development of national security leaders. As ...

. From June 1992 to August 1995, Portela served in the following positions at Headquarters: United States Air Force in

the Pentagon The Pentagon is the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense. It was constructed on an accelerated schedule during World War II. As a symbol of the U.S. military, the phrase ''The Pentagon'' is often used as a meton ...

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

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 The Naval War College (NWC or NAVWARCOL) is the staff college and "Home of Thought" for the United States Navy at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. The NWC educates and develops leaders, supports defining the future Navy and associ ...

and the Reserve Components National Security Course (1994) at the National War College. 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

, San Juan, P.R., position in which he served from January 11, 2005, to November 7, 2006. As command pilot, Portela has flown the following military aircraft: T-37, T-38, C-141 and C-5, plus he has more than 5,000 flight hours to his credit. Besides the Vietnam War, he also participated in the following military operations: The

Persian Gulf War The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a Coalition of the Gulf War, 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Ba'athist Iraq, ...

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and

Operation Desert Shield The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a Coalition of the Gulf War, 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Ba'athist Iraq, ...

Storm A storm is any disturbed state of the natural environment or the atmosphere of an astronomical body. It may be marked by significant disruptions to normal conditions such as strong wind, tornadoes, hail, thunder and lightning (a thunderstorm), ...

and has been the only reservist ever to serve as director of mobility forces for Bosnia.

Civilian occupation

Portela has flown

Douglas DC-8 The Douglas DC-8 (sometimes McDonnell Douglas DC-8) is a long-range narrow-body airliner built by the American Douglas Aircraft Company. After losing the May 1954 US Air Force tanker competition to the Boeing KC-135, Douglas announced in July ...

s, Boeing 747, 737 and 727s, Airbus A319, A320, A321 and A330s, and

Fokker 100 The Fokker 100 is a regional jet produced by Fokker in the Netherlands. The Fokker 100 is based on the Fokker F28 with a fuselage stretched by to seat up to 109 passengers, up from 85. It is powered by two newer Rolls-Royce Tay turbofans, ...

s. He retired in June 2014 as an Airbus 330 check captain for U.S. Airways with over 25,000 hours. Portela, who has also served as a safety and glass cockpit expert for the Airline Pilots Association, is the recipient of the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) Superior Airmanship Plaque, given for "demonstrating extraordinary flying skills and professionalism in the face of adversity, for safely recovering an aircraft with severe flight control problems, exemplifying the best of what a pilot can offer to those who have placed their lives in his hands." Portela, who is also a chapter founder of League of United Latin American Citizens and co-chairman of the Defense Advisory Council on Hispanic Issues, he has also been Honored numerous times by the Senate and House of Representatives of Puerto Rico for "Outstanding Achievements". Portela, currently resides in

Dallas, Texas Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County ...

, with his family.

Military decorations and awards

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

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (AFDSM) is a military decoration of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force and is presented to airmen and guardians to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritorious service to ...

with one oak leaf cluster * Legion of Merit ribbon

Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster * Meritorious Service Medal ribbon

Meritorious Service Medal A Meritorious Service Medal is an award presented to denote acts of meritorious service, and sometimes gallantry, that are worthy of recognition. Notable medals with similar names include: * Meritorious Civilian Service Award *Meritorious Service Me ...

with three oak leaf clusters * Achievement Medal USAF

Air Force Achievement Medal *

Joint Service Commendation Medal The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth ...

Joint_Meritorious_Unit_Award_(USMC_and_USN_frame)

Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award (JMUA) is a US military award that was established on June 4, 1981, by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982. The Joint Meritor ...

Air Force Commendation Medal The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth ...

with two oak leaf clusters * Combat Readiness Medal ribbon

Combat Readiness Medal The Combat Readiness Medal is an award of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force created in 1964. The original Combat Readiness Medal was an award senior to the Air Force Commendation Medal, and it was awarded for superior and ...

with seven oak leaf clusters * Vietnam Service Medal ribbon

Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces established on 8 July 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The medal is awarded to recognize service during the Vietnam War by all members of the U.S. Arm ...

with three bronze service stars *

National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a service award of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. It is awarded to every member of the US Armed Forces who has served during any one of four ...

with oak leaf cluster * Armed_Forces_Service_Medal_ribbon

Armed Forces Service Medal The Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) is a military award of the United States military that was created on January 11, 1996, by President Bill Clinton under . The AFSM is a deployed service medal that is presented to those service members who e ...

Humanitarian Service Medal The Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM) is a military service medal of the United States Armed Forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under . The medal may be awarded to members of the United States military (includ ...

Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016)

Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star * Longevity_Service_Award_USAF

Air Force Longevity Service Award The Air and Space Longevity Service Award (ASLSA) is a military award of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force established as the Air Force Longevity Service Award by Air Force General Order 60, on 25 November 1957 by General ...

Armed Forces Reserve Medal The Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM) is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by members of the reserve components and is awarded to both officers and enlisted per ...

Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon * Air_Force_Training_Ribbon

Air Force Training Ribbon The Air and Space Training Ribbon (ASTR) is the lowest military award of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force, ranking only above foreign military awards. The Air and Space Training Ribbon was authorized as the Air Force T ...

Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp

Vietnam Campaign Medal The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, also known as the Vietnam Campaign Medal ( vi, Chiến Dịch Bội Tinh), is a South Vietnamese military campaign medal which was created in 1949, and awarded to French military personnel during the First ...

Vietnam Cross of Gallantry The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross also known as the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross or Vietnam Cross of Gallantry ( vi, Anh-Dũng Bội-Tinh) is a military decoration of the former Government of South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam). The medal ...

with Emblem with Palm and Frame * Kuwait_Liberation_Medal_(Saudi_Arabia)_ribbon

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) The Naut Tahrir al-Kuwait ( ar, نوط تحرير الكويت) (Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait) was instituted by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign. Background The Saudi Arabian v ...

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) The Kuwait Liberation Medal ( ar, وسام التحرير ''Wisām al-Taḥrīr'', , ) is a medal created in 1994 that was issued by the government of Kuwait to both local and foreign military personnel who served in the Persian Gulf War's "Liber ...

Badges: *

US Air Force Command Pilot Badge * Headquarters US Air Force Badge

Headquarters Air Force badge The Headquarters Air Force badge was created in 2005 by the United States Air Force. Airmen currently assigned to Headquarters Air Force at the Pentagon or who have been assigned to a qualifying Headquarters Air Force staff or Secretary of the Ai ...

Early years

Military career

Civilian occupation

Military decorations and awards

See also

References

Further reading