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Eberhart to Head U.S. Space Command
By Alex Canizares
Special to space.com
posted: 05:45 pm ET
27 October 1999
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WASHINGTON (States News Service) - The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the nomination of Ralph EWASHINGTON (States News Service) - The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved the nomination of Ralph E. Eberhart to be commander-in-chief of the U.S. Space Command. The full Senate is expected to finalize approval within the next two weeks. Once that's done, Eberhart will head the Air Force Space Command, oversee the commander of both the Army and Navy Space Command, and assume the position of commander-in-chief of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command). The U.S. Space Command coordinates the Army and Navy's use of space for security purposes. It launches and operates satellites on rockets -- such as the Titan IV -- for intelligence, navigation, missile warning and weather monitoring. It also seeks to assure U.S. access to space and plans to develop a system that could defend American territory from ballistic missile attack. NORAD is a joint U.S.-Canadian defense system that monitors and maintains control of North American airspace. It provides early warning of any attack via air or space. Eberhart will leave his position as commander of Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. The general has worked for the Air Force since 1968. He has received several medals and awards for his service, and has flown over 4,000 hours in fighter and trainer aircraft, including 300 in Vietnam. The commander replaces Gen. Richard Myers, who was confirmed Wednesday to become vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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