COMMANDING RESPECT NEW LEADERSHIP AT TEST CENTER.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - Brig. Gen. Curtis M. Bedke assumed command Friday of the Air Force Flight Test Center, succeeding Maj. Gen. Doug Pearson, who is retiring after a 34-year career.

In a ceremony conducted in one of the base's mammoth hangars, Bedke took over an organization that accounts for more than 10,000 Antelope Valley jobs and which contributes more than $1.1 billion annually into California's economy.

The flight test center is responsible for test and evaluation of the Air Force's weapon systems such as the F/A-22 fighter and the Global Hawk reconnaissance aircraft.

``We already are the best in the world at what we do,'' Bedke told personnel at the ceremony ``We're going to get even better and we're going to have a good time doing it.''

Bedke, a former test pilot, is coming to Edwards from Fort George G. Meade, Md., where he was the deputy chief of Central Security Service and director of the national security operations for the National Security Agency.

In that role, Bedke managed the military services' code-making and code-breaking operations.

Bedke said he had been selected for the position because of his background mixing experience in test and evaluation as well as in operations. Bedke said he has been away from flight testing for a while and will be able to bring a fresh perspective to the work.

``I'm not a screamer,'' Bedke said of his management style. ``I'm dumb enough to ask smart questions.''

Bedke has served at Edwards before. After graduating from the Test Pilot School at Edwards in 1986, Bedke worked as a test pilot with the 6512th Test Squadron for a year and then spent 18 months as an operations officer and test pilot for the 6519th Test Squadron.

Bedke returned to Edwards in the early 1990s to serve for more than a year as commander of the 31st Test and Evaluation squadron, which performed initial operational tests and evaluation on the B-1 and B-2 bombers.

``I've spent more time at Edwards than any other assignment,'' Bedke said. ``I'm back home.''

Bedke described himself as a music fan, with a record collection that ranges from classical to country to punk. His collection of vinyl records and CDs is nearly 7,000 albums strong.

Bedke also described himself as an Air Force brat.

``I have never spent a day outside of the Air Force and I love it,'' Bedke said.

Bedke graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1977 as a distinguished graduate with a bachelor of science degree in astronautical engineering and theoretical mathematics. He later earned a master of science of degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Stanford University.

Bedke's career has included serving as commander of the 5th Operations Group, where he flew B-52s at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, and as B-2 weapons systems acquisition manager at Strategic Air Command headquarters.

The general has commanded the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. He also served as vice commander of the 8th Air Force at Barksdale.

Bedke has logged more than 4,100 hours of flying time in 57 aircraft. He is also a parachutist.

Pearson, the Flight Test Center's commander since June 2001, is retiring effective Jan. 1 after 34 years in the Air Force that included flying as a fighter pilot and test pilot.

``It's been one incredible ride,'' Pearson said. ``There's been no higher honor in my life than to serve in this capacity as commander.''

In a retirement ceremony after the change of command, Pearson received letters of appreciation from President George W. Bush, Air Force Secretary James Roche, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The letters saluted Pearson for such achievements as getting the F/A-22 flight test program on track, supporting the war on terrorism, and improving the quality of life at Edwards.

Pearson is a pilot with more than 4,000 hours of flying time, including 364 combat hours in Vietnam. He has flown more than 40 different types of aircraft, including the F-4, F-15 and F-20 fighters.

In 1985, in a test over the Pacific Ocean, Pearson made history when he fired a missile from an F-15 fighter and destroyed a satellite in low Earth orbit.

Pearson is a graduate of the Test Pilot School at Edwards and at one time served as commander of the 6512th Test Squadron at Edwards.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) The change of command ceremony at Edwards Air Force Base on Friday included having Brig. Gen. Curtis M. Bedke, right, assume command of the Air Force Flight Test Center from retiring Maj. Gen. Doug Pearson, center.

(2 -- color) Gen. Gregory S. Martin, left, gives Bedke the command flag.

(3) Maj. Gen. Doug Pearson

Leaving flight test center

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer