General Constantin Popov

Date and place of birth: 28 August 1961 in Sofia, Bulgaria

Education:

• 1979 – “G.S. Rakovski” High School, Sofia
• 1979-1984 - “G. Benkovski” Air Force Academy, Dolna Mitropoliya
• 1990-1992 – “G.S. Rakovski” National Defence College, Sofia
• 1999 - English Language Training Course at the Canadian Forces Language School, Borden, Canada
• 2000-2001 – Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, USA
• 2005 - NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
• 2010 – Ph.D. in Organization and Management of the Armed Forces, “G.S. Rakovski” National Defence College, Sofia
• 2010 - Member of the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria

Military Career:

• 1984-1985 - Junior Pilot in 3rd flight wing, 2nd fighter squadron, 19th fighter regiment, Graf Ignatievo
• 1985-1986 - Senior Pilot in 3rd flight wing, 1st fighter squadron, 19th fighter regiment, Graf Ignatievo
• 1986-1987 - Deputy Commander of 3rd flight wing, 1st fighter squadron, 19th fighter regiment, Graf Ignatievo
• 1987-1988 - Commander of 3rd flight wing, 1st fighter squadron, 19th fighter regiment, Graf Ignatievo
• 1988-1990 - Deputy Commander of 1st fighter squadron, 19th fighter regiment, Graf Ignatievo
• 1990-1992 – Student at “G.S. Rakovski” National Defence College, Sofia
• 1992-1994 - Commander of 1st fighter squadron, 19th fighter regiment, Graf Ignatievo
• 1994-1996 - Deputy Commander for Combat Training of 3rd Fighter Air Base, Graf Ignatievo
• 1996-1999 - Commander of 3rd Fighter Air Base, Graf Ignatievo
• 1999-2000 - Chief of Flight Safety Department in the Air Defence Corps, Sofia
• 2000-2001 – Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, USA
• 2002-2005 - Commander of 3rd Fighter Air Base, Graf Ignatievo
• 2005-2006 - Chief of Staff, NATO Joint Force Training Center, Bydgoszcz, Poland
• 2006-2008 - Deputy Chief of Staff of the Allied Air Component Command Headquarters, Izmir, Turkey
• 2008-2009 - Deputy Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force
• 2009-2010 - Chief of Staff for Training, Bulgarian Air Force HQ
• 2010-2011 - Chief of the Bulgarian Air Force
• 2011-2014 - Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force
• 2014–2016 - Deputy Chief of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria
• 9 February 2016 - Chief of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria

Flight Experience:

General Popov has flown L-29, MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-21, MiG-29 and has more than 1200 flight hours.

Promotions:

• 1984 - Lieutenant
• 1987 – 1st Lieutenant
• 1991 - Captain
• 1996 - Major
• 1999 - Lieutenant Colonel
• 2002 - Colonel
• 2005 - Brigadier General
• 2008 - Major General
• 2015 – Lieutenant General
• 2016 - General

Awards and Decorations:

• Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service under the Colours
• Commendation Medal for Contribution to the Ministry of Defence
• Golden medal of the Polish Armed Forces
• US Air University International Honor Roll Inducteе

Foreign Languages:

General Popov is fluent in English.

Marital Status:

Married, with three children.