Ralph Eberhart

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Ralph Eberhart
Ralph E Eberhart, CINCSPACE & CINCNORAD.jpg
General Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart
Born (1946-12-06) December 6, 1946 (age 78)
Nevada, Missouri, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branch United States Air Force
Years of service1968–2005
Rank General
Commands North American Aerospace Defense Command
United States Northern Command
United States Space Command
Air Combat Command
Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
Fifth Air Force
363rd Tactical Fighter Wing
10th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Battles / wars Vietnam War
Gulf War
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross

Ralph Edward "Ed" Eberhart (born December 6, 1946) is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force (USAF). [1] He served as the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He was in charge of NORAD during the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Contents

Biography

Eberhart entered the USAF in 1968 as a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, having been the cadet wing commander during his senior year. [2]

A command pilot, General Eberhart has logged more than 5,000 hours, primarily in fighter and trainer aircraft, including 300 combat missions as a forward air controller in the Vietnam War.

While commander of the 363rd Tactical Fighter Wing during Operation Desert Shield, the unit established the theater's initial air-to-ground combat capability from a forward operating location.

While he was lieutenant general in January 1996, Eberhart produced a novel concept in operational doctrine: "that a joint force commander could profitably use his air component to attack deep battle targets or at the start of an expeditionary operation before ground forces were in place." Chief of Staff of the Air Force general Ronald Fogleman embraced this doctrine, saying in April 1996: "The need for mass on the battlefield has now changed. We don’t need to occupy an enemy’s country to defeat his strategy. We can reduce his combat capabilities and in many instances defeat his armed forces from the air." [3]

Eberhart's staff experience includes serving as executive officer to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force at Headquarters USAF; Deputy Chief of Staff for Inspection, Safety and Security, Headquarters Tactical Air Command; Director for Programs and Evaluation, Headquarters USAF; Director of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, the Joint Staff; and Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters USAF. The general has also served as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, commander, Air Combat Command, Commander, Air Force Space Command, and as commander-in-chief, United States Space Command.

Eberhart has commanded a flight, squadron, wing, numbered air force and two major commands, as well as one sub-unified command, two unified commands and one bi-national command.

Eberhart's international awards include the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, presented while serving as the Commander of United States Forces Japan, by the Emperor of Japan, as well as the French Legion of Honor.

Education

As Cadet Colonel (left) commanding the Cadet Wing at the United States Air Force Academy, with Colonel Robin Olds (center) and Brigadier General Louis T. Seith, 1967 Eberhart Olds Seith.PNG
As Cadet Colonel (left) commanding the Cadet Wing at the United States Air Force Academy, with Colonel Robin Olds (center) and Brigadier General Louis T. Seith, 1967
General Eberhart in 2003 General Eberhart.jpg
General Eberhart in 2003

Assignments

Flight information

Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command General Ralph E. Eberhart Arrived at RAF Mildenhall. USA Air Force General Ralph E. Eberhart (Red shirt), the Commander for the North American Defense Command, arrives at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom. He is in England to - DPLA - 9a67830043d80fd3f6caaf576295ad55.jpeg
Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command General Ralph E. Eberhart Arrived at RAF Mildenhall.


Awards and decorations

Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg
Defense Distinguished Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg
Legion of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg Distinguished Flying Cross
Defense Meritorious Service ribbon.svg Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Meritorious Service ribbon.svg
Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Silver oakleaf-3d.svg
Silver oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Medal ribbon.svg
Air Medal with two silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg Air Force Commendation Medal
AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png Presidential Unit Citation
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with bronze oak leaf cluster
Organizational Excellence ribbon.svg Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal ribbon.svg Combat Readiness Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
AFEMRib.svg
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two bronze service stars
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Vietnam Service Ribbon.svg
Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service star
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg
Humanitarian Service Medal with bronze service star
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon.svg Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
U.S. Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon.svg
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with bronze oak leaf cluster
Silver oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon.svg Air Force Training Ribbon
JPN Zuiho-sho (WW2) 1Class BAR.svg Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure, 1st class
Legion Honneur Officier ribbon.svg French Legion of Honour, Officer
Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award
Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Other achievements

Eberhart provides remarks as keynote speaker at the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the NORAD and USNORTHCOM headquarters on Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 11, 2021. 2021 NORAD and NORTHCOM Sept. 11 Commemoration 210911-F-HL664-023.jpg
Eberhart provides remarks as keynote speaker at the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the NORAD and USNORTHCOM headquarters on Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 11, 2021.

Effective dates of promotion

Promotions
InsigniaRankDate
US-O10 insignia.svg General August 1, 1997
US-O9 insignia.svg Lieutenant General  July 1, 1995
US-O8 insignia.svg Major general July 1, 1993
US-O7 insignia.svg Brigadier general March 1, 1991
US-O6 insignia.svg Colonel November 1, 1984
US-O5 insignia.svg Lieutenant colonel November 1, 1981
US-O4 insignia.svg Major September 1, 1979
US-O3 insignia.svg Captain June 5, 1971
US-O2 insignia.svg First lieutenant December 5, 1969
US-OF1B.svg Second lieutenant June 5, 1968

References

  1. "Defense.gov News Release: GENERAL OFFICER ANNOUNCEMENT". Defense.gov. Archived from the original on March 1, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  2. Brig Gen Robin Olds, Christina Olds and Ed Rasimus, "Fighter Pilot, the memoirs of legendary ace Robin Olds" (New York: St. Martin's Press, 2010), p. 364. ISBN   978-0-312-56951-8
  3. Grant 2001.
  4. Levins, Harry (April 3, 2001). "Air Force General, a Missourian, may be in line to become next Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Lee Enterprises. p. A3. He is Gen. Ralph E. 'Ed' Eberhart, a native of Nevada, Mo., who grew up in Ferguson and graduated from McCluer in 1964.

Bibliography

Military offices
Preceded by Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
1997–1999
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command
2000–2004
Succeeded by
New command Commander of the United States Northern Command
2002–2004