Gen. Joseph W. Ralston entered the Air Force in 1965 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Miami University, Ohio. He has commanded an Air Force squadron, wing and numbered air force. Ralston has also commanded the Alaskan NORAD Region and Alaskan Command. He has served as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements at major command level. Ralston also served as Director of Tactical Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition and as Director of Air Force Operational Requirements. Additionally, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He is the former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Ralston is a command pilot with more than 2, 500 flying hours including 147 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam.