English: General
Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart is commander in chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command; commander, Air Force Space Command; and Department of Defense Manager for Manned Space Flight Support Operations, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
The general entered the Air Force in 1968 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. His staff experience includes serving as executive officer to the Air Force chief of staff at Headquarters U.S. Air Force; deputy chief of staff for inspection, safety and security, Headquarters Tactical Air Command; director for programs and evaluation, Headquarters U.S. Air Force; director of force structure, resources and assessment, the Joint Staff; and deputy chief of staff for plans and operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. Prior to assuming his current position, the general served as commander of Air Combat Command.
The general has commanded a flight, squadron, wing, numbered air force and sub-unified command. 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 serving as the commander of U.S. Forces, Japan, he was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Emperor of Japan. He is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations. A command pilot, he has logged more than 4,000 hours in fighter and trainer aircraft, including 300 combat missions as a forward air controller in Vietnam.