Rear Admiral Jose Antonio Ruesta Botella Head of the Plans and Policy Division of the General Naval Staff. Admiral Ruesta will speak to us on the subject “The Role of Navies in Maintaining Maritime Security”, a subject very much in the news. Rear Admiral Ruesta graduated from the Spanish Naval Academy in 1978. Numerous sea assignments include four command positions, including Captain of the Amphibious ship “CASTILLA”, which was also the C2 platform for NRF Spanish Maritime Component Commander. His shore postings include the Military Chamber of the Royal Household of His Majesty the King, as well as two tours in Plans and Policy branch where he participated in a working group for the reorganization of the Spanish navy, as well as being involved in all new programmes for the naval arm. He has also served the Naval Academy as Company Commander and Instructor. Rear Admiral Ruesta is a 1992 graduate of the Naval War College. He has been awarded five Naval Merit Crosses, the NATO Medal, the St. Hermengildo Cross, and the Portuguese Naval Merit Cross. Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Rear Admiral Ruesta was Director of Naval Education, with especial focus on transforming the Naval Education System to the requirements of the pan-European Bolonia Agreements.