Marin Natchev retired from the Bulgarian Air Force at the rank of Major General in December 2016 after a tour as Bulgarian National Military representative at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). As a senior officer, he also served as the Bulgarian Air Force Chief of Staff and as the Director, Operations and Training Division at the Bulgarian Defence Staff.
Major General Natchev began his career as a Mig-21 fighter pilot and later flew Mig-21s, Mig-29s and SU-25s. He also has limited flying experience as a pilot on other fighter jets an helicopters. After qualifying in the Mig-21, he was assigned to the 21st Intercept Regiment at Uzundjovo, district of Haskovo.
Major General Natchev's command assignments included tours as Commander, 3rd Squadron at Graff Ignatievo Air Force Base and as Base Commander of the 21st Air Force Base at Uzundjovo, district of Haskovo. While holding the position of Chief, Training Directorate of the Bulgarian Air Fore Staff, he completed a tour as Commander, Kabul International Airport, International Security Forces Afghanistan.
Major General Natchev graduated from the Bulgarian Air Force Academy "G. Benkovski", Class of 1982 and received his pilot rating in April 1982. He is a graduate of the Senior Officer Course at the Bulgarian War College in 1991 and of the General Staff Course at the National Defense University, Washington DC in 2000.
Since October 2017, Major General Natchev is the Chairman of the SHAPE Officers Association Executive Committee.
Major General Natchev and his wife Teodora reside in Jurbise, Belgium with their two sons.