Retired effective Jan 2, 1998
Brigadier General Ralph
D. Townsend is the assistant adjutant general for Air, Idaho Air National Guard. His
responsibilities include the training and combat readiness of all units assigned to the
Idaho ANG.
General Townsend graduated from Homedale High School, in 1957, and also attended the University of the State of New York, Albany, N.Y. from 1983 to 1985, by correspondence. His military education includes Air Command and Staff College, 1972; and Army War College 1980.
General Townsend began his military career by enlisting in the Idaho Army National Guard as a truck driver in November 1956. In December 1958 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, as an aviation cadet, and entered navigator training at Harlingen Air Force Base Texas. He graduated in November 1959, and was commissioned a second lieutenant He then attended radar intercept officer training at James Connally AFB, Waco, Texas from November 1959 to July 1960 Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 445th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Wurtsmith AFB, Oscoda, Mich., where he served as a radar intercept officer. He was then assigned to undergraduate pilot training, at Williams AFB, Chandler, Ariz. In July 1963, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He was awarded his pilot wings in March 1964, and then assigned to Perrin AFB, Sherman, Texas, to attend the intercept pilot training course - (T/F-102). Upon completion in September 1964, he was assigned as an aircraft commander with the 325th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Truax Field, Madison, Wis., until August 1966. During this time, he performed a tour in southeast Asia, flying 57 missions over Vietnam, between April and August 1965. In August 1966, he was reassigned to the 317th FIS, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska as a fighter interceptor pilot. He performed a second tour in southeast Asia from May to July 1968, flying an additional 44 combat missions over Vietnam. He was reassigned to the 67th Combat Support Group, Mountain Home AFB, Mountain Home, Idaho from December 1968 to June 1969, as a flight scheduling officer and later as the air operations officer, June to November 1969.
He resigned his Air Force commission and accepted an appointment as a captain in the Air Force Reserve in November 1969. He joined the Idaho Air National Guard in January 1970. He served as a squadron level interceptor pilot, 190th FIS, Idaho ANG, Gowen ANGB, 1970-1975, and then as operations officer, 1975-1977. He was appointed as the commander, 190th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron from April 1977 to September 1978. He was appointed as deputy commander for operations, 124th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Idaho ANG, Boise, Idaho from October 1978 to December 1985.
In December 1985, he became the commander, 124th TRG and in June 1989, assumed his present position as assistant adjutant general for Air, Idaho ANG.
General Townsend is a command pilot with over 5,000 flying hours in jet and reciprocating engine aircraft, and is rated in both single and multi-engine aircraft including the RF-4, C-131, F-102, T-33 and C-47 aircraft. His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three bronze oak eat clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one bronze star, Air Force Training Ribbon with one device, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His other decorations include the William Tell Top Gun Award, State of Idaho Emergency Duty Ribbon and the Idaho Service Ribbon with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster.
The general's military and civic affiliations include the Idaho National Guard Officer's Association, the National Guard Association of the United States, the Air Force Association, the Boise Air Terminal Airport Commission and the Boise Chamber of Commerce.
General Townsend was promoted to and federally recognized as a brigadier general on March 9, 1990.
(Current as of February 2001)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.