Defence Forces News
New Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) of the Defence Forces is appointed
Monday 26 July, 2010
The Government has announced the appointment of Brigadier General Ralph James, General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, as the new Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) for the Defence Forces.
Brigadier General James takes up the appointment which was vacated by Lieutenant General Sean McCann, on his promotion to Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces on the 13th of June 2010.
Born in Dublin 1956, Brigadier General James was educated in Templeogue College, Dublin before commencing military service as a Cadet in Nov 1973. He was awarded his ‘wings’ and commissioned as an Air Corps Pilot Officer in September 1975. He graduated from the 47th Command and Staff Course in the Military College in 1990 and from the University of Glamorgan in 1995 with a BA (hons) Business Studies degree. He was promoted Commandant in 1984, Lieutenant Colonel in 1996 and Colonel in 2001. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Brigadier General James has served in various command and staff appointments during his career, including Officer Commanding (OC) Maritime Squadron, OC Training & Transport Squadron, Wing Operations Officer, OC Gormanston, Air Intelligence Officer, Officer Commanding No 1 Support Wing and Chief Air Staff Officer Operations. He has served as General Officer Commanding the Air Corps and Director of Military Aviation since 2002.
An operational pilot, Brigadier General James is a qualified flight instructor and an approved rating examiner with over 4,500 flying hours experience. He has flown many aircraft types in various mission profiles including maritime patrolling and Ministerial air transport. He was, until 2008, rated on the Bombardier Learjet 45.
Brigadier General James has served overseas with the United Nations Troop Supervisory Organisation (UNTSO) from 1986 until 1988. He worked as an observer in the Golan and South Lebanon before serving as Chief Air Staff Officer in Jerusalem.
Brigadier General James has been involved in a number of major projects including the development of new mission profiles and operational systems. He was the Air Corps co-ordinator for recent Price Waterhouse reviews and a member of the Efficiency Audit Group under the Dept of An Taoiseach.
Brigadier General James is married to Geraldine and has four children. He lives in Castlewarden, Kill, Co. Kildare and is active in Peamount United, the local soccer club, as a team manager.
As Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) Brigadier General James will be responsible for all operational activities within the Defence Forces, both at home and overseas. He will also be promoted to Major General on assumption of his new role.
Congratulating Brigadier General James on his appointment, Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sean McCann said:
“I welcome the appointment of Brigadier Ralph General James as Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations). His knowledge and expertise will contribute substantially to the effective leadership of the Defence Forces at the strategic level, and I look forward to working closely with him in the future.”
Press Officer: Comdt. Neil Nolan 01 8042687 : 087 2482130
e-mail: Press Officer web: www.military.ie