Maj. Gen. Ralph G. Tourino is director, B-2 System Program Office, Aeronautical Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The SPO manages the development, production and supportable deployment of the B-2 bomber aircraft.

General Tourino was born in 1941, in Los Angeles and graduated from Montebello Senior High School in 1959. He earned a bachelor of science degree in general engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1964, and master's degrees in public administration from Auburn University in 1974 and business administration from the University of Southern California in 1975. The general completed Squadron Officer School in 1969, Air Command and Staff College in 1977, the National Security Management Course in 1978 and Harvard University's Program for Senior Officials in National Security in 1988 and 1990.

He entered the Air Force in February 1964 and was commissioned as a distinguished graduate through Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. His first assignment was to James T. Connally Air Force Base, Texas, where he completed undergraduate navigator training as a distinguished graduate. In May 1965 the general was awarded wings and assigned to the Air Force Western Test Range, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., as a C-97 crew member, providing range logistic support.

In December 1966 General Tourino was assigned to Headquarters 7th Air Force Flight Operations, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam, where he transported high-level military and civilian personnel throughout Southeast Asia. There he flew in VC-123, VC-118 and VC-54 aircraft, accumulating 900 combat support hours.

Upon returning to the United States in December 1967, General Tourino was assigned to the 22nd Air Refueling Squadron, March Air Force Base, Calif., as a Strategic Air Command KC-135 tanker aircraft combat crewmember. In May 1970 the general was assigned as a section commander at Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

General Tourino transitioned to the major systems acquisition career field in February 1975 and was assigned to Space Division, Los Angeles Air Force Station, Calif. He spent five years in program control, NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Joint Program Office, and was director of program control from 1978 to 1980. He then became director of contracts, Space Defense Systems Program Office. In July 1982 he was assigned as systems program director for the Inertial Upper Stage program.

After the successful flight of the IUS from the space shuttle in January 1985, General Tourino was assigned as assistant deputy commander for the Small ICBM, Ballistic Missile Office, Norton Air Force Base. He became assistant deputy chief of staff, systems, Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., in July 1987 and became inspector general in May 1988. A year later, he assumed command of the Ballistic Missile Organization at Norton Air Force Base, Calif., supporting management of Department of Defense intercontinental ballistic missile acquisition Programs such as the Peacekeeper Missile and the Small ICBM, as well as Minuteman force improvements and the development of advanced strategic missile systems. In July 1991 he became director for the B-2 System Program Office, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He assumed his current position in July 1992.

The general's military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with service star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He wears senior navigator wings, and Master Space and Missile badges.

He was promoted to major general Aug. 1, 1992, with same date of rank.


(Current as of December 1992)