UPDATED: New leader at Space Command is Academy grad

Posted: Jan 5, 2011 1:27 PM by Andy Koen
Updated: Jan 5, 2011 1:41 PM

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz is in Colorado Springs today to oversee the change of command ceremony for Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base.

The new commander, Gen. William Shelton, is assuming control from Gen. C. Robert Kehler who is leaving to lead US Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

Under his charge at Space Command, Gen. Kehler lead the military's effort to protect the county in cyberspace. He also increased the nation's ability to use space technology to help troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"This has been dynamic time the Air Force and for this command," Kehler said. "I cannot complement our team enough for their efforts as we tackled issues that fundamentally changed our Air Force all while supporting the ongoing fight and deterring others."

After giving his remarks, Kehler was awarded a meritorious service medal.

Shelton is a 1976 graduate of US Air Force Academy and most recently served as the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director of Air Staff for the Air Force in Washington D.C.

He served in various roles at Space Command from the mid 1980's to the mid 1990's.

"To have the great fortune to come back and command this great organization is truly a special privilege."

Shelton said he was happy to back in Colorado and proud and humbled to be the new commander.