Vice Admiral Hans-Jochen Witthauer, German Navy
Deputy Commander Allied Maritime Command Northwood

Vice Admiral Hans-Jochen Witthauer was born in Eisenach, Thuringa on March 13, 1950.

After joining the Federal German Navy in October 1968 and completing the basic officer training he spent his early years in Frigates and Destroyers initially as a Communications, then Operations Officer. Subsequent billets included Training Officer in the Sail Training Ship FGS “Gorch Fock”, an appointment to an exchange programme with the French Navy, serving on board FS “Jeanne d’Arc” and finally as Executive Officer FGS “Luetjens”.

From 1985 to 1987 he attended the Bundeswehr Command and General Staff College. This was followed by an appointment to the Ministry of Defence as Military Assistant to the Director, Armed Forces Staff.

In March 1989 Vice Admiral Witthauer joined the Staff of the Commander, Standing Naval Force Atlantic, where he served as Staff Public Affairs and Administrations Officer. After a three year tour as Commanding Officer of FGS “Rommel”, taking the ship through Operation “Sharp Guard”, he went back to the Bundeswehr Command and General Staff College as instructor on naval doctrine.

During his appointment as Commander of the 6th Frigate Squadron 1994-1996 he commanded a task group and a Task Force. This tour was followed by a billet as Branch Chief, Naval Strategy and International Cooperation, Force Planning , Concept of the Navy in the Naval Staff MOD Bonn. From January 1999 to September 2001, during the Kosovo crisis, he served as Chief, NATO Situation Centre in NATO HQ.

In October 2001 he took up the post as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff  “Operations”, Armed Forces Staff, in a period of out-of-area deployments of the German Armed Forces.

In September 2003 Vice Admiral Witthauer assumed command of the Standing Naval Forces Mediterranean, which were mainly involved in Operation “Active Endeavour”.

Upon completion of his tour, he took over as Commander German Destroyer Flotilla in October 2004 and after the reorganisation process of the German Navy as Commander German Flotilla in January 2006.

In December 2006, he was appointed as Commander European Union Forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina responsible for the conduct of the Joint Operation “Althea”.

From February 2008 to May 2009 he was Vice Chief of Staff German Navy.

Vice Admiral Witthauer is married to the former Barbara Mülenegger and resides in Northwood.