General Joseph W. Ralston

General Joseph W. Ralston, became the Commander-in-Chief, United States European Command on May 2, 2000, and Supreme Allied Commander Europe on May 3, 2000. Ralston commands one of the nine Unified combatant commands in the Department of Defense. The United States European command is responsible for the activities of all U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps forces operating within its area of responsibility in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Before this assignment, Ralston was the vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon, Washington D.C. In this capacity, he was the second highest-ranking military officer in the USA.

The general entered the Air Force in 1965 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. His career includes operational command at squadron, wing, numbered air force and major command, as well as a variety of influential staff and management positions at every level of the Air Force. He has been closely involved with building the US Air Force of the 21st century, holding a variety of positions related to the requirements and acquisition process. He is a command pilot with more than 2,500 flying hours, including 147 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam.

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