General Ralph Edward "Ed" Eberhart (born December 6, 1946) was commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He was in charge of NORAD on 9/11.General Eberhart entered the Air Force in 1968 as a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. His staff experience includes serving as executive officer to the Air Force Chief of Staff at Headquarters U.S.