Jan Jonsson (Swedish Air Force officer)

Jonsson was born in Bräcke, Sweden,[2] the son of fanjunkare Bertil Jonsson.[3] He was gliding as a 15-year-old in Halmstad and enrolled at the Swedish Air Force Flying School in Ljungbyhed in 1970. He became fänrik in 1975 during his time at the Swedish Armed Forces School for Secondary Education (Försvarets gymasieskola) in Uppsala. Jonsson then attended the Royal Swedish Air Force Academy (Flygvapnets krigsskola, F 20), also in Uppsala, from 1976 to 1978.[1] At graduation, Jonsson was awarded the Chief of the Air Force's honorary gift as best student and F 20's sports shield for best athletic performance.[4]

Jonsson flew Saab 32 Lansen and Saab 37 Viggen and was head of the tactical testing of Saab JAS 39 Gripen and was the head of the Air Force Tactical Center in Linköping from 1994 to 1997.[1] Jonsson was commanding officer of the Southern Air Force Command (Södra flygkommandot) from 1997 to 1998. Jonsson was then appointed Inspector General of the Air Force and head of the Air Force Center on 1 July 1998.[1][5] He left the post in 2000 when he was appointed head of the Joint Forces Command (OPIL).[6] On 18 December 2003 his appointment was prolonged.[7] On 1 September 2004, Jonsson was succeeded by Tony Stigsson.[8] Jonsson continued to serve as Chief of Joint Operations until 31 October 2007 when he left his position at his own request.[9]

Jonsson was consultant of Hägglunds through the lobby company Svennerstål & Partners throughout 2008 and early 2009.[10] In 2009 he was appointed head of the Norrköping Fire Department and Linköping Rescue Service.[11]

He is married to Annevi Jonsson[12] and they have two children.[1]

• 1975 – Fänrik
• 19?? – Lieutenant
• 19?? – Captain
• 19?? – Major
• 19?? – Lieutenant Colonel
• 19?? – Colonel
• 1998 – Major General
• 2000 – Lieutenant General