Major General Alles is presently serving as the Director for Strategic Planning and Policy (J5), U.S. Pacific Command.

He hails from San Antonio, Texas and attended Texas A&M University.  He was commissioned during August of 1976 and was designated a Naval Aviator at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas in September of 1978.  

Major General Alles completed F-4 transition training at VMFAT -101 and reported to VMFA-232 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in August of 1979.  There he served as the NATOPS Officer, Maintenance Material Control Officer, Flight Line Officer, Avionics Officer, and Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer.

During August of 1982, Major General Alles was transferred to F/A-18 and reported to VMFA-323 at MCAS El Toro, California.  He served as the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, and Logistics Officer.  During this assignment he was embarked with VMFA-323 on USS CORAL SEA (CV-43) and participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon.

In June of 1986, Major General Alles was ordered to instructor duty at the Navy Fighter Weapons School, NAS Miramar, CA serving as the Assistant Maintenance Officer, Staff Standardization Officer, and Training Officer while at “Topgun.”

During August of 1989 Major General Alles was transferred to VMFA-312 at MCAS Beaufort, S.C. where he was assigned duties as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and then as the Operations Officer.  In September 1991 he was transferred to HQMC serving as the Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator and as the Tactical Aircraft Plans Officer.  In August 1994, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

In October 1995 Major General Alles assumed command of VMFA -312 at MCAS Beaufort, S.C. While he was in command the squadron was embarked on USS THEODORE ROOSELVELT (CVN-71) and participated in Operations Deliberate Guard and Southern Watch.  During his tenure the squadron was awarded a CNO Safety Award and the MCAA’s Robert M. Hanson Award.

In August 1997, Major General Alles assumed duties as Executive Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 31.  In August 1998, he reported as a student at the Naval War College, Newport, R.I. graduating in June 1999 with a Master’s In National Security and Strategic Studies.  From June of 1999 until July 2001 he was assigned as Chief of the Strategy and Policy Division, U.S. Pacific Command.

Major General Alles was Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 11 from August 2001 until July 2003.  During his tenure the group deployed to Southwest Asia participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  In September 2003 he assumed duties as Branch Head for the Aviation Weapons Systems Requirement Branch, HQMC.

In May 2004 he was assigned as Deputy Director for Operations at the National Military Command Center.  His most recent assignment was as Commanding General, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.

After Assignment to Third Marine Aircraft Wing in June 2007 as the Assistant Wing Commander, Major General Alles served as the Commanding General for Third Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) during Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2008 until February 2009.

(Posted June 30, 2009)