Statement on the Nomination of Gen. Ralph E. Eberhart To Be United States Space Command Commander in Chief and Related Positions

I am pleased to nominate Gen. Ralph E. Eberhart, United States Air Force, to be Commander in Chief, United States Space Command; Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command; Commander, Air Force Space Command; and Department of Defense Manager for Space Transportation Systems Contingency Support. If confirmed by the Senate, General Eberhart will succeed Gen. Richard B. Myers.

General Eberhart currently serves as the Commander of the Air Combat Command. Over a distinguished career, General Eberhart has gained extensive operational and planning experience and demonstrated tremendous leadership ability. A Command Pilot, he commanded the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the 363d Tactical Fighter Wing, U.S. Forces Japan, and the 5th Air Force, as well as Air Combat Command. His broad professional experience also includes significant tours on the Joint Staff and Air Staff in the Pentagon and on the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces, Europe.

General Eberhart assumes the post of Commander in Chief, United States Space Command, at a time when U.S. capabilities in space have become critical to our economic prosperity, our position of leadership in the world, and our national security. He will be charged with protecting and extending those capabilities, and as well as taking on new responsibilities for information operations. I have the utmost trust and confidence in his ability to do so.