Deputy Chief Of Staff, Operations

Major General Ralph James

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.

Military Experience

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.

Major 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, Major 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.

Major 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 coordinator for recent Price Waterhouse reviews and a member of the Efficiency Audit Group under the Dept of An Taoiseach.

Overseas Experience

Major 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 Heights and South Lebanon before serving as Chief Air Staff Officer in Jerusalem.

Family and Interests

He lives in Castlewarden, Kill, Co. Kildare and is married to Geraldine and has four children.  He is active in Peamount United, the local soccer club, as a team manager.

Responsibilities of Deputy Chief of Staff Operations

The Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) has responsibility for the following areas:

• Operations Section. The Operations section is responsible for all Defence Forces operations at home and abroad, operational readiness capability (which includes planning and procurement of Defence Stores), mobilisation plans and contingency plans for a wide range of conventional, peacekeeping, aid to the civil power and aid to the civil authority operations.
  Intelligence Section. The Intelligence Section is responsible for Operational Intelligence, Security Intelligence, Combat Intelligence and Archives. This section is also responsible for liaison with Defence Attaches. In addition they have a considerable input into overseas planning, particularly when new missions are under consideration.
• Reserve Defence Force Section. The Reserve Defence Force Section is responsible for training, equipment, and resource management of the Reserve. This section has additional responsibilities in regard to the planning and management of the reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force. It also has responsibility for the functions of the former Observer Corps.
  Training Section. Training Section is responsible for education and training policy and the development of training doctrine, assessment of training standards, liaison with external education and training agencies, procurement and management of training budgets, and for physical fitness and sports policy.
• Combat Support Section. The Combat Support Section staffed by Artillery, Cavalry and Engineer personnel is responsible for researching and developing combat support doctrine in line with modern developments and the operational requirements of the Defence Forces. It co-ordinates combat support training, monitors live firing safety procedures, identify requirements and initiate equipment procurement for all combat support corps. This section also has specified personnel management functions in consultation with Human Resources Management (HRM) Section.
• Communications & Information Services. The Communications & Information Systems services are responsible for the development and operation of Information Technology systems in support of Defence Forces tasks. In this regard it continues to develop and expand the National Defence Network. It is also responsible for co-coordinating all communications (both line and radio), communications research and update of communications in line with modern developments and operational requirements.

 

Find out more about the Organisation of the Defence Forces