As commander of NORAD, General Ashy was responsible for the air sovereignty of the United States and Canada, as well as for providing tactical warning and attack assessment.

As COMAFSPC, he directed satellite control, warning, space launch and ballistic missile operations missions through a worldwide network of support facilities and bases.

Ashy entered the U.S. Air Force in 1962 as a distinguished graduate of Texas A&M University.

He was a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours in fighter and attack aircraft, including 289 combat missions in Vietnam.

This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force