Ralph E. Eberhart

Ralph E. Eberhart

Ralph Edward Eberhart (born December 6, 1946 ) is a former US Air Force general who was both Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) .

Life

After attending school, he studied political science at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs , graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA Political Science). After his subsequent entry into the US Air Force, he also found use in combat missions in the Vietnam War and later completed a postgraduate degree in political science at Troy University , which he completed in 1977 with a Master of Arts (MA Political Science).

After serving as commander of the 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing from 1987 to 1990, he became Deputy Chief of Staff, Inspection, Safety and Security in the US Air Force. This was followed in 1991 as brigadier general, his appointment as director for programs and evaluation in the US Department of Defense , before he was there after his promotion to major general on July 1, 1993 from 1994 to 1995 director of force structure, resources and assessment.

After he was appointed Lieutenant General Deputy Chief of Staff of the US Air Force for planning and operations (Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations) and then from 1996 to 1997 commander of US Forces Japan . After serving as General Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 1997 to 1999, he became Commander of Air Combat Command (ACC) at Langley Air Force Base .

His last position was from February 22, 2000 to November 5, 2004, in command of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) at Peterson Air Force Base . As such, he was from October 22, 2002 to November 5, 2004 at the same time first commander of the newly created US Northern Command (NORTHCOM).

After retiring from active military service, he became President of the Armed Forces Benefit Association in 2004 and also took on responsibilities in the private sector . Eberhart, who is also involved in the Council on Foreign Relations , has been a member of the Boards of Directors of ObjectVideo Inc. and Standard Aero Holdings, Inc. since 2005 and of Rockwell Collins since 2007 . He was also part of the boards of directors of 5Star Bank and VSE Corporation.

Awards

Selection of decorations, sorted based on the Order of Precedence of Military Awards :

• Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2 ×)
• Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2 ×)
• Legion of Merit (2 ×)
• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal (3 ×)
• Air Medal (12 ×)
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• National Defense Service Medal (3 ×)
• Vietnam Service Medal (4 ×)
• Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 ×)

Web links

• Ralph Eberhart in nndb (English)

predecessor	Office	successor
Richard B. Myers	Commander of NORAD 2000–2004	Timothy J. Keating