[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 51 (Monday, December 25, 1995)]
[Page 2192]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Nomination of General Joseph W. Ralston to be Vice 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

December 15, 1995

    I am pleased to announce that I have nominated Gen. Joseph W. 
Ralston, U.S. Air Force, for assignment as Vice Chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff, succeeding Adm. William A. Owens, who is retiring.
    General Ralston currently serves as the Commander, Air Combat 
Command. In this capacity, he is responsible for training and equipping 
all active Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve combat 
wings and squadrons in the United States and Panama. During his 
distinguished career, General Ralston flew more than 2,500 flying hours, 
including 147 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam. He also 
served as the Air Force's Director for Tactical Programs and its 
Director for Operational Requirements. In the latter capacity, his 
championing of the rapid transition of advanced technology to the 
battlefield was instrumental in determining the shape and force 
structure of tomorrow's Air Force. General Ralston brings to the job of 
Vice Chairman a wealth of experience in the development of military 
requirements and an indepth knowledge of the defense acquisition 
process. These and other attributes provide General Ralston the 
requisite leadership and management necessary for the post of Vice 
Chairman at a critical time in the history of the Armed Forces.
    I will depend upon General Ralston to continue the initiatives of 
Admiral Owens which are designed to ensure that our Armed Forces best 
determine their warfighting requirements and capabilities. I commend 
Admiral Owens for his exemplary service to his Nation. His sound 
military advice on the use of military power to back U.S. diplomacy, his 
crucial role in shaping our forces to fight as a joint team, and the 
superlative leadership he provided in harnessing the information and 
technological revolution to our current and future defense posture will 
ensure that our military will remain the best in the world as we enter 
the 21st century. Admiral Owens will truly be missed in the senior 
decisionmaking ranks of our national security structure. Hillary and I 
join in wishing him the very best as he begins a new phase of his life.

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