NATO chief: No stranger to front line

Ralston arrived in Macedonia on Monday on his latest mission

By CNN's Graham Jones

BRUSSELS, Belgium (CNN) -- The man who is advising NATO ambassadors on sending 3,500 more troops to Macedonia is no stranger to the front line.

NATO's Supreme Commander in Europe, U.S. Air Force Gen. Joseph Ralston, flew fighter bombers over North Vietnam and Laos, logging up 2,500 flying hours and 147 combat missions.

As First Lieutenant Joe Ralston in the 1960s he was much decorated for braving fire over Hanoi to rescue downed airmen and trapped soldiers.

Later in a variety of influential staff and management positions in the U.S. Air Force he became one of a small group pioneering stealth fighters and bombers.

QUOTE "It’s incumbent upon us in uniform to make sure that when we go to the political authorities, we don’t go with only one option. And then we must have the equipment, tactics, and doctrine that will allow us to succeed if an option is chosen that we consider less than optimum." -- Gen. Ralston.     MORE STORIES Q&A: NATO troops in Macedonia   Rebels' tank surprise for NATO   How arms will be 'harvested'   U.S.: 'A lot of work' needed for Macedonia peace   Time.com: Macedonia peace plan will test rebels' intentions     EXTRA INFORMATION Macedonia: Hurdles to peace     RESOURCES Message Board: The Balkans: Macedonia     AUDIO CNN's Walter Rodgers: Rebels say they will comply with the agreement 6.74 MB / 145 sec WAV sound    QUICKVOTE What role should NATO troops play in Macedonia? They should engage in the fighting on the government side They should merely collect weapons from ethnic Albanian rebels They should not be there at all View Results

His qualification for assessing security in the Balkans includes involvement in the air campaign in Kosovo and the Joint Guardian peacekeeping effort in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Described as "a most unassuming leader" Ralston's high-flying career has come with glowing references from both military contemporaries and politicians.

Former U.S. Defence Secretary William Cohen praised him as a man of "fortitude, unconquerable resolve and piercing intelligence."

In 1997 Cohen wanted Ralston as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs -- America's top military post.

But an affair while Ralston was still married to his first wife in the 1980s came back to haunt him. After much publicity about strict military rules on adultery and opposition from Senators, he withdrew his candidacy.

Then in July 1999 when it seemed he would retire to Alaska, Ralston was suddenly rostered to take over from Gen. Wesley Clark as Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander-in-Chief, U.S. European Command from the following May.

The Pentagon said it was "normal rotation" and not a snub for Gen. Clark -- said to have clashed with the White House for wanting tougher action in Kosovo.

Defence officials explained that Ralston was leaving his job as vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, America's No.2 military post, in February, and had under the rules to take up a post within 60 days.

Born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Ralston graduated from Miami University, Ohio in 1965, later obtaining an MA degree in personnel management.

Entering USAF through the Reserve Officer Training Program, he trained in the 1960s as an F-105 combat pilot before tours of duty flying from Okinawa and Thailand.

He went on to hold commands at squadron, wing, numbered air force and major command levels as well as senior management posts.

After stints as a senior director in planning and procurement, he was appointed head of Alaskan command, before becoming deputy chief of staff for plans and operations, commander, HQ air combat command and then in 1996, vice chairman, Joint Chief of Staff.

Among his many decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with thee oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Medal with 19 oak leaf clusters.

Ralston received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal when he left his post as vice chairman of the joint chiefs for his contribution to the air operation in Kosovo, peacekeeping in Bosnia and disaster relief to the victims of Hurricane Mitch.

Cohen said at the ceremony that he was also a man with "a humble heart" -- having gained a reputation for delaying meetings with superiors to preside over promotion ceremonies for the most junior of his subordinates.

But most of all, Ralston is regarded as a "forward thinker" with a knack for forseeing future military challenges.

As well as his involvement in stealth technology he has given evidence to Congress on missile defence.

When he assumed his NATO post the general talked of preparing for the future and said: "We need to keep the NATO alliance focused on what the threats are and have them adequately prepare for those threats."

His approach to Tuesday's meeting may be gauged by remarks he made about the North Atlantic Council and the Kosovo operation to Armed Forces Journal International in June.

"From a purely military perspective, people will argue that we should have used overwhelming force from the outset of the Kosovo campaign. But it is not politically realistic to think that you can get 19 nations to agree to that.

"So I think it’s incumbent upon us in uniform to make sure that when we go to the political authorities, we don't go with only one option. And then we must have the equipment, tactics, and doctrine that will allow us to succeed if an option is chosen that we consider less than optimum."