Photo By Paul Bello | Lt. Gen. Ralph Jodice II addresses the crowd gathered for his retirement ceremony June...... read more read more
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WASHINGTON – Air Force Lt. Gen. Ralph J. Jodice II, former commander of Air Force District Washington (AFDW) ended his service to the nation during a retirement ceremony June 28 at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB).
Jodice, most recently the commander of NATO Allied Air Command Headquarters in Turkey, served in the Air Force for more than three decades.
During his remarks, Jodice said “I’ve had an incredible ride. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
During his 2008-2009 command of AFDW, Jodice was instrumental in the planning for what became JBAB, working alongside his Naval District Washington counterpart.
A native of Teaneck, N.J., Jodice entered the Air Force in 1976 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Parks College in St. Louis, Mo., after earning a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering.
He began a career as a propulsion structural durability engineer before attending undergraduate school to become a pilot, where he was the distinguished graduate in 1981. In 1986, he was the top pilot instructor training graduate in the T-38 Talon twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer program. He graduated the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in 1990 as its distinguished graduate.
In July 2004, Jodice was promoted to the rank of Brig. Gen.; Maj. Gen. in 2008 and to his current rank in December 2009.
Since joining the Air Force, his aviation assignments have included fighter pilot, instructor, flight examiner, commander and operations officer.
“I can’t even begin to account for all of General Jodice’s contributions. He has represented the Air Force with outstanding class and is exactly the kind of leader this country can be proud of,” said Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, a longtime colleague and close friend to Jodice. “What he’s been able to accomplish is unparalleled. His passion and dedication are true examples for our future Airmen.”
Jodice has also commanded the 335th Fighter Squadron and the 4th Operations Group at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., as well as the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
He also served on the Joint Staff Operations Directorate at the Pentagon and as a defense attaché at the U.S. embassy in Beijing, China.
He has earned the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, with oak leaf cluster, and four Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, with oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation medal, with oak leaf cluster, French Legion of Honor, NATO Meritorious Service Medal, and a NATO medal for participation in Operation Unified Protector.
“My parents once told me that if you do your best, the rest will take care of itself,” Jodice said. “They couldn’t have been more right.”
Jodice thanked his family, friends and colleagues for their love and support over the years, particularly his wife Judy.
“I couldn’t have done my job if not for her. She’s been my best friend and the best passenger anyone can ask for,” he said. Together, the couple has moved a total of 23 times in 37 years.
“We have one more move to go and that’s it for this household,” Jodice said, concluding his remarks.
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2013 12:42 |
| Story ID: | 110061 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 236 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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