15th Commanding General, PAF
05 April 1982- 25 February 1986
MAJ GEN VICENTE M PICCIO JR AFP was born in Iloilo on 01 March 1927.
He graduated from high school in 1947 and enrolled in Mechanical Engineering at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo. After finishing his second year in college, he joined the Philippine Air Force Flying School in 1949 and graduated in 1951. He later completed his Bachelor of Arts degree graduating as Cum Laude at Guagua National College in 1964 and Bachelor of Science in Aviation at Basa Air Base College in 1972.
Earlier in his military career, General Piccio was assigned as Flight Commander and Instructor at Fernando Air Base and later at Basa Air Base to train as a fighter pilot of P-51D “Mustang” aircraft. He completed the Squadron Officers Course at Air Force Officers School and attended Jet Training at Clark Air Base. In 1957, he attended the T-33 Jet Instructor Course at Craig Air Force Base, Alabama and the F-86 Fighter Gunnery Course at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. In 1958, he took Physiological Training at Okinawa, Japan. He attended the Junior Command and General Staff Course in 1965 and the Air Command and General Staff Course in 1966 at the Royal Air Force Staff College, Tern Hill, Andover, United Kingdom. He also holds a Masters in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines.
General Piccio earlier became Operations Officer of the 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Commander of the 105th Combat Crew Training Squadron, and Commander of the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron. He became Commandant of the Air Force Officers School before he assumed as Wing Commander of 410th Aircraft Repair and Maintenance Wing in 1975, 240th Composite Wing at Sangley Point, Cavite, and as Division Commander of the 3rd Air Division in 1978. He later became Commanding Officer of the Aviation Security Command in 1981and concurrent Vice Commander of the Philippine Air Force. On 05 April 1982, he was named Commanding General, PAF and was promoted to Major General on 02 May 1982 during the 46th PAF Foundation Day.
He has received numerous awards and decorations such as Distinguished Service Star awards, Distinguished Aviation Cross, Bronze Cross Medal, Silver Wing Medal and Kahusayan award, among others.
Major General Piccio is married to the former Nena Hernandez of Antique whom he has seven children namely Vincent Bernard, Elizabeth Mary, Philip Gregory, Bernard Michael, Robert Emphrem, Christopher and Paul Anthony.