10/4/2007 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CA -- After 13 years, a brigadier general returned to Edwards on Wednesday to assume command of the Air Force Flight Test Center.

Brig. Gen. David Eichhorn was first stationed here in 1985 to attend the U.S Air Force Test Pilot School. He later returned in 1994 to be the 452nd Flight Test Squadron commander.

General Eichhorn assumed command from Maj. Gen. Curtis Bedke during a change of command ceremony at hangar 1600 on Wednesday.

The general brings a wide range of experience to the center with his knowledge in test policy and resource allocation, flight management, aircraft control services and command and control operations.

The general's main goals are to support the Global War on Terror, build and support Edwards Airmen, and recapitalization.

As the new AFFTC commander, General Eichhorn hopes to continue pushing forward the many great things accomplished at Edwards.

"I am taking over a very healthy organization that General Bedke has led," said General Eichhorn. "I owe many thanks to him and to the team for what they have already done here. I just want to continue what General Bedke started and move it further."

Since his last assignment here, General Eichhorn said Edwards has visibly changed.

"The base is building great new houses," said General Eichhorn. "It is obvious that we are taking the quality of life for our folks very seriously."

General Eichhorn said that one of his main priorities while in command is taking care of the people of Edwards.

"We need to work as a team, cover each other's weaknesses and exploit each others strengths," General Eichhorn said. "We need to get the job done together. Since we are out in the middle of nowhere, we need the support of one another."

In his first order of business, General Eichhorn wants to prioritize the different programs currently on the table.

"I know I am going to have a really terrific staff here," General Eichhorn said. "They have a lot of knowledge about the current operations."

The general said he is ecstatic to be back.

"Edwards is the pinnacle of the test pilot world," General Eichhorn said. "Words can't adequately describe it. It is a fantastic place, and to be in charge of it is a dream come true."

Prior to his assignment here, General Eichhorn was the director of Air, Space and Information Operations in Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He is a command pilot with more than 5,700 flight hours and has flown more than 40 aircraft including fighters, trainers, tankers, transport and bombers.

Source: USAF Edwards AFB Press Release by Airman 1st Class Stacy Sanchez