Onno Eichelsheim

Onno Eichelsheim (born 1966) is a general in the Royal Netherlands Air Force serving as Chief of Defence of the Netherlands Armed Forces since 15 April 2021. Prior to his post, he served as the Vice Chief of Defence from 1 July 2019 to 8 March 2021.

Career Eichelsheim was born in Schiedam, grew up in Bergambacht and attended high school in Schoonhoven. In 2005, Eichelsheim took over the command of 301 Squadron, which was amalgamated with two AH-64D Squadrons. From 2009 until August 2011, 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.

From 2011 to 2013, Eichelsheim was head of the Helicopter Operations Department of the Defence Helicopter Command.

Eichelsheim was appointed Director of Operations of the RNLAF in June 2014 and was promoted to commodore. In this function, he was responsible for the planning and execution of foreign operations.

On 1 July 2019, 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. He also 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. 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. He remained in his post until 8 March 2021, as he was replaced by Vice Admiral Boudewijn Boots.

On 15 April 2021, Eichelsheim was named as the Chief of Defence of the Netherlands Armed Forces, and promoted to general, replacing Lieutenant Admiral Rob Bauer.

In 2004, he served as commander of the Apache Detachment of ISAF as a lieutenant-colonel in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

His most recent deployment was in 2006 with TFU-1 in Tarin Kowt, in the province of Uruzgan,

Awards Eichelsheim is entitled to wear the following (military) awards and decorations: Insignia Name 55px Commemorative Medal for UN Peacekeeping Operations 55px Commemorative Medal for Multinational Peacekeeping Operations with digit "2" 55px Commemorative Medal for Peacekeeping Operations with digit "2" 55px Officer's Cross with digit "XXX" 55px Elfstedenkruis with digit "2" 55px Skill Medal of the Dutch Sports Federation 55px Commander in the Legion of Honour 55px United Nations UNPROFOR medal 55px NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia with digit "2" 55px NATO Non-Article 5 Medal with digit "2"55px Order of Merit with digit "3" (Ukraine) 55px Decoration of Honor of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – "Cross of Merit"

Eichelsheim is entitled to wear the following insignia:

Personal life Eichelsheim is married, and father to a daughter and two sons.