Onno Eichelsheim was born on 1966 and is a general in the Royal Netherlands Air Force serving as Chief of Defence of the Netherlands Armed Forces since 15 April 2021.
18 Facts About Onno Eichelsheim
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Consequently, Onno Eichelsheim completed training to become an AH-64 Apache pilot after which he served at 301 Squadron, the first RNLAF squadron to be equipped with the Apache attack helicopters in 1995.
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Onno Eichelsheim subsequently served as the deputy flight commander of the first Dutch Apache Squadron to train at Fort Hood, Texas, as part of the unit's training programme with the.
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In 2000, Onno Eichelsheim was responsible for the planning of the first deployment of an Apache detachment to Djibouti for the United Nations peacekeeping mission UNMEE.
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In 2005, Onno Eichelsheim took over the command of 301 Squadron, which was amalgamated with two AH-64D Squadrons.
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From 2009 until August 2011, Onno Eichelsheim was responsible for Operational Policy and Acquisitions in the rank of lieutenant-colonel, where he spearheaded the replacement and the modernization of the CH-47F Chinook helicopters, and the acquisition of the NH90 NFH helicopters.
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From 2011 to 2013, Onno Eichelsheim was head of the Helicopter Operations Department of the Defence Helicopter Command.
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Onno Eichelsheim was appointed Director of Operations of the RNLAF in June 2014 and was promoted to commodore.
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In early April 2016, Onno Eichelsheim was appointed director of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service and promoted to major general.
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Onno Eichelsheim made several news media appearances in October 2018, when the MIVD publicised a disrupted close-access cyberattack at the headquarters of the OPCW in The Hague by the Russian military intelligence service GRU.
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On 1 July 2019, Onno Eichelsheim was succeeded by Major General Jan Swillens as director of the MIVD, and was promoted to lieutenant general to serve as Vice Chief of Defence.
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Onno Eichelsheim served as a member of the Cyber Security Council, the Dutch Government's primary and independent advisory body, in charge of cyber security matters in the country.
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Onno Eichelsheim stepped down as the Vice Chief of Defence on 5 March 2021, in order to prepare for his post as the new Chief of Defence.
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Onno Eichelsheim remained in his post until 8 March 2021, as he was replaced by Vice Admiral Boudewijn Boots.
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On 15 April 2021, Onno Eichelsheim was named as the Chief of Defence of the Netherlands Armed Forces, and promoted to general, replacing Lieutenant Admiral Rob Bauer.
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On 26 February 2007, Onno Eichelsheim transferred his command of the ATF to his successor.
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Onno Eichelsheim is entitled to wear the following awards and decorations:.
18.
Onno Eichelsheim is married, and father to a daughter and two sons.