Maj. Gen. Bedke assumes command of Air Force Research Laboratory

  • Published
  • By Mike Wallace
  • Skywrighter Staff
The Air Force Research Laboratory welcomed a new commander Thursday morning in a change-of-command ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Modern Flight Gallery.

Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Bedke assumed command of AFRL from the departing Maj. Gen. Ted F. Bowlds, who has been commander since January 2006.

Bedke came to Wright-Patterson after serving as commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, Calif.

Bowlds will become the new commander of the Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass., and carrying with it a promotion to lieutenant general.

Bedke is a 1977 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a command pilot with more than 4,300 flying hours in 70 different aircraft. He has served as an experimental test pilot, commanding the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron at Edwards AFB. He also has commanded a B-52 Stratofortress operations group, a flying training wing, and a B-52 bomb wing. 

His other assignments have included that of B-2 weapons systems acquisition manager at Headquarters Strategic Air Command, assistant deputy director of Politico-Military Affairs with the Joint Staff's J-5, vice commander of the 8th Air Force, inspector general of the Air Combat Command, and director of the National Security Operations Center, National Security Agency.

At the ceremony, Bedke acknowledged Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, several other general officers including a few retirees, senior executives and the mayor of Fairborn, as well as AFRL employees, and thanked them for attending.

He joked that although this assignment was the third one in which Carlson was his boss, he said, "This is the first time he requested me." Bedke added, "You've heard the saying, 'It's better to be lucky than good.' We all say it, but I live it."

He went on to praise the work of AFRL members, and told them, "Don't worry, you're going to enjoy this. We're going to have fun, I promise."

Saying that he wasn't "a Stepford general," he declared, "The Air Force gets my passion every day. I believe in our mission and the strategy to get there. There'll be no change for change' sake. In our business, there's a constant tug between doing too much and not doing enough. It takes ability to see the big picture, and our nation needs us to be forward thinkers. We are the ones with the ability to create the Air Force of 50 years from now."

As AFRL commander, Bedke will be responsible for planning and executing the Air Force's $2 billion science and technology budget that includes basic research, applied research and advanced technology development.

He also will manage $1.7 billion in customer-funded research and development. AFRL has a headquarters staff, nine technical directorates and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

The ceremony included posting of the colors by the Air Force Honor Guard; music from Wright Brass, part of the Air Force Band of Flight; singing of the National Anthem by Staff Sgt. Amber Grimes, narration by Wayne Foster, long-time friend of Bowlds and comments by Carlson.

Attendees were invited to the Hope Hotel for a reception following the ceremony.