General Ingo Gerhartz joined the German Air Force in 1985 at the age of 19. After finishing his fighter jet pilot training, he spent eight years as a fighter pilot and Operations Staff Officer whilst participating in numerous NATO exercises. His career was marked by countless leadership assignments a.o. as Flying Group and Wing Commander. During positions in the Federal Ministry of Defense he was able to expand his NATO horizon. General Gerhartz exercised the functions of the Deputy Spokesperson, the Executive Officer to the Chief of Defense and the Deputy Director for Strategy and Operations gaining various experience in preparation, planning and execution of joint operations.
During his seven-year term as Chief of the German Air Force, General Gerhartz successfully concentrated his efforts on improving operational readiness. Following a number of significant changes, the German Air Force has assumed a leading role and demonstrated its outstanding capabilities on a multinational level, with exercises such as Rapid Pacific 22, Air Defender 23 and Pacific Skies 24.
With regard to the Alliance’s defence capabilities, he pushed for extending conventional deterrence. This includes an evolution in integrated air and missile defense, with Arrow and Iris-T SLM systems, as well as the procurement of stand-off systems, such as the F-35 and the modernization of fighter aircraft armament and long-range fire capabilities.
During his time as an active fighter pilot, he logged a total of over 3,000 flight hours on four aircraft types: F-4F, MIG-29, Tornado and Eurofighter. As Air Wing Commander during the NATO Mission to Afghanistan, General Gerhartz flew more than 50 Combat Sorties on the Tornado aircraft.
His extensive operational experience, combined with his advanced military education and proficiency in joint operations shaped his capabilities in the national and international defence realm. His service has been recognized with numerous awards e.g. the Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation of Israel, the Minuteman Award of the U.S. Air National Guard as well as numerous honors granted by Allied and Partner Countries, reflecting his dedication and excellence in military service throughout the Alliance. Beside that he holds a Masters degree in Aeronautical Science.
He is married to Ute, father of two adult sons and enjoys mountainbiking in his spare time.