Maj. Gen. Federico Bonato was born in Montagnana (Padua) June 29, 1958 and joined the Army Military Academy in Modena 1977.

In 1979 he was commissioned as second lieutenant and attended the two-year specialization training course in Turin at the Army Officers Training School after which he was promoted first lieutenant 1981.

From 1982 to 1986 he served as platoon commander in the Alpini “Susa” Battalion in Pinerolo (Turin).



In 1986 he was promoted to captain and posted as company commander to Alpini “Bassano” Battalion and later back to “Susa” Battalion.

From 1991 to 1994, while a junior staff officer, he attended Army General Staff College and the Defence Joint Staff College, after which he was promoted lieutenant colonel.

From 1996 to 1997 he served as commanding officer of the Alpini Officers Training Battalion and in the same year he was assigned to the Alpini Corps Command as chief training and operations officer.

In 2001 he was promoted colonel and deployed to KFOR HQ as deputy chief G3 until May 2002.

From 2002 to 2004, he commanded 3rd Alpine Regiment. From September 2002 to January 2003, as commanding officer, he deployed with his regiment to Kabul, Afghanistan, as task force commander and national contingent commander.

In 2004, he served as assistant chief of staff for operations at Alpini Corps, and later in 2006 became chief of staff there.

Promoted to brigadier general in January 2007, he assumed command of the “Taurinense” Alpini Brigade until July 2009, during which time he deployed to Afghanistan as commander of Regional Command Capital, December 2007 to August 2008.

From 2009 to 2010, he was deputy chief of staff for operations at the Army Operational Land Forces HQ in Verona.

Promoted to major general in August 2010, he has been assigned to Allied Force Command Madrid as chief of staff of Deployable Joint Staff Element 2.

Bonato holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Sciences. He is married to Nicoletta and they have three sons.