Maj. Gen. A. Bowen Ballard is mobilization assistant to the Commander, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He assists in the formulation of policies for the general operation of Air University and its special projects. He advises the commander in Reserve activities and mobilization plans, and performs specific responsibilities in a staff officer capacity.

General Ballard enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1965 and was commissioned in the Air Force in 1966. From 1967 until 1974 he filled various intelligence positions with the 187th Tactical Reconnaissance Group. Upon joining the Air Force Reserve in 1974, he was assigned to the Air Force Intelligence Service at Fort Belvoir, Va. He played a key role in transitioning Air Force special operation forces from the Tactical Air Command to the Military Airlift Command and participated with SOF on an international basis. He has served at Headquarters U.S. Air Force as mobilization assistant to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, during which time he was recalled to active duty to manage the planning, directing and establishing of policies and procedures for all Air Force intelligence activities as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence for five months. Prior to his current assignment, he was mobilization assistant to the Director of the National Security Agency and Chief of the Central Security Services, Fort George G. Meade, Md.

In his civilian occupation, he is chief executive officer of a real estate corporation and director of a commercial bank. The general maintains a civilian pilot's license with more than 6,000 flying hours.

EDUCATION
1964 Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
1971 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
1973 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
1980 Industrial College of the Armed Forces, by correspondence
1985 Air War College, by correspondence
1993 Program for Executives in National and International Security, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Mass.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1965 - September 1966, intelligence operations specialist, 187th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Ala.
2. October 1966 - June 1967, student, Armed Forces Intelligence Training Center, Lowry AFB, Colo.
3. July 1967 - December 1969, intelligence officer, 187th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Ala.
4. December 1969 - May 1971, intelligence photo radar officer, 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Ala.
5. May 1971 - June 1974, air intelligence officer, 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Ala.
6. June 1974 - April 1984, mobilization augmentee, Evasion, Escape and Prisoner of War Branch, 7602nd Air Intelligence Group, Fort Belvoir, Va.
7. April 1984 - September 1985, intelligence officer, Headquarters Aerospace Rescue and Recovery, Scott AFB, Ill.
8. September 1985 - March 1986, mobilization augmentee to the Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
9. March 1986 - August 1988, mobilization augmentee to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower, Installations and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
10. August 1988 - May 1990, mobilization assistant to the Commander, Air Force Recruiting Service, Randolph AFB, Texas
11. May 1990 - July 1995, mobilization assistant to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
12. August 1995 - December 1995, Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
13. December 1995 - August 1996, mobilization assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
14. August 1996 - January 1999, mobilization assistant to the Director, National Security Agency and Chief, Central Security Service, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
15. January 1999 - present, mobilization assistant to the Commander, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze star
Air Assault Wings (Army)

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Board of advisers, Auburn University at Montgomery
Board of directors, life member, National Association of Home Builders
Board of directors, former president, Montgomery Area Home Builder Association
Former vice chairman, Aeronautic Commission, State of Alabama 
Former chairman, board of directors, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
Former president, life member, Chapter 102, Air Force Association
Life member, Reserve Officers Association

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant  June 29, 1966
First Lieutenant  June 29, 1969
Captain  Aug. 7, 1971
Major  June 30, 1977
Lieutenant Colonel  Aug. 19, 1982
Colonel  July 1, 1986
Brigadier General  Nov. 30, 1990
Major General  Feb. 9, 1994

(Current as of October 2000)