Patrick de Rousiers

Patrick de Rousiers (born in Dijon, France), is a retired French Air Force general. His last position was serving as the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, assuming that position from 6 November 2012 to 5 November 2015.

General de Rousiers is a Fighter pilot who has logged over 3,000 flying hours, with 2,600 of them in fighter jet aircraft. He has participated in 76 combat missions.

Military career General de Rousiers entered the French Air Force Academy in September 1975. He graduated and was awarded his pilot wings in Tours on 30 January 1979. His first posting was Cazaux Air Base to attend the operational fighter course for the Mystere IV. In June 1979, he joined Escadron de reconnaissance 1/33 Belfort stationed at Strasbourg - Entzheim Air Base, flying the Mirage IIIR. Upon completion of all professional qualifications, he was appointed commander of an Escadrille of Escadron de reconnaissance 2/33 Savoie which was scheduled to transition of the Mirage F1CR.

From May to July 1986, General de Rousiers led a Mirage F1 CR detachment in Chad. After returning from his African deployment, he was posted to Escadron de chasse 2/4 La Fayette, operating Mirage IIIE/AN52. He assumed command of the squadron in August 1988, where he led the squadron during its conversion to the Mirage 2000N/ASMP.