PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE — Col. Burke "Ed" Wilson, who has a five-generation family tradition of military service dating back to the Civil War, took command of the 45th Space Wing in a ceremony Friday morning.

"This is a great day for the Wilson family," he said. "This really is a dream come true. To the men and women of the 45th and the mission partners here at Patrick Air Force Base and out at the Cape, you know they say first impressions last a long, long time. You hit a home run."

The ceremony, usually held outside, was moved indoors to the base theater because of the threat of rain.

The Change of Command ceremony included outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Edward Bolton handing the wing's flag to Lt. Gen. Larry James, commander of the 14th Air Force. James, as the presiding official, then handed the flag to Wilson, signifying the change to the new commander. Wilson was formerly commander of Space Development and Test Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

At left, Col. Burke "Ed" Wilson at the microphone; seated, Brig. Gen. Edward Bolton. Photo: U.S. Air Force

A hush fell at the start of the ceremony as the Honor Guard posted the flags, just before a soloist sang the National Anthem.

Several hundred, perhaps as many as 1,000, including airmen and other military personnel in camouflage uniforms, civilians and local governmental and civic leaders filled the theater. Some stood in the back. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas and two representatives of U.S. Rep. Bill Posey's office were present.

The audience applauded Bolton and his wife, Patricia, several times and he thanked the men and women of the wing and the others he said helped to make his tenure a successful one.

Bolton, who is headed to the Pentagon as director of cyber and space operations, directorate of operations, deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, said his Patrick Air Force Base assignment would be more than just a fond memory.

"To the men and women of the 45th Space Wing, it has been the absolute honor of my lifetime, the highlight of my career" to have served with you here, he said.

Wilson said he knows of the great teamwork that already exists at Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

"We can't get the work done without taking care of our people," he said.

Wilson said he also was looking forward to continuing the good relationship with the community that he has heard about when he was with other units of the Space Command.

"The relationship with the local community is the envy of a lot of us on the other side," he said.

As a child, Wilson said his family would visit his grandparents in Daytona Beach. He often heard them talk about rocket launches and he dreamed of one day being a part of it.

Wilson's grandfather served in the military and his father served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was born at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama and soon set his sights on an Air Force career.

He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1985 and holds bachelors and masters degrees in electrical engineering.

James said Wilson was a leader serving elsewhere that was ready to answer the challenge of commanding the 45th Space Wing.

"He understands leadership," James said. "Ed Wilson is the right person for this."

Wilson said he was recently asked what major changes could be expected from his leadership. His response: While there's a lot of modernization to be done, don't expect things to be much different. After 24 launches in 15 months and everything running smoothly, Wilson has no plans for major changes.

"I'd be an idiot to come in and rewire the wing," he said. "That's not in the works."