Enrique Bonelli

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Enrique Bonelli (born January 9, 1950) is a retired Uruguayan lieutenant general who was the 13th Commander-in-Chief of the Uruguayan Air Force from February 2, 2004, to February 2, 2009. He served under presidents Jorge Batlle and Tabaré Vázquez and was succeeded by José Bonilla. Born in Montevideo, he began his military studies in 1968 and earned his pilot wings in 1971 after training on light and transport aircraft, including the T-41D Mescalero, T-6 Texan, C-47 Skytrain, F-27 and FH-227D. He later became an instructor and held various leadership posts, notably as Chief of Aviation Group No. 4 (1985–1987), head of the Military School of Aeronautics, and in the Air Training Command. In 1991 he was the Chief of the Purchasing Office in Miami. He directed the Technical School of Aeronautics and the Military School of Aeronautics, and oversaw a ferry flight mission bringing two Beechcraft Baron 58 from the United States to Uruguay. In 2004 he was promoted to lieutenant general and named Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force. He retired in 2009 and received the Medal of Aeronautical Merit in May of that year. He is married to María Sayagués and logged more than 5,000 flight hours across aircraft such as the T-41D, T-6, C-47, F27, FH-227D, and C-130B.