New 45th Space Wing commander selected Published July 1, 2011 Patrick AFB,Fla. -- The 45th Space Wing will receive a new commander in the near future. Brig. Gen. Ed Wilson, current commander of the 45th Space Wing and director of the Eastern Range, was selected to become the Director, Air Component Coordination Element-Ft. Meade, 24th Air Force, Air Force Space Command, Ft. Meade, Md. Gen. Wilson took command of the Wing Feb. 12, 2010, when he assumed command from Maj. Gen. Ed Bolton, Jr. Gen. Wilson's replacement will be Brig. Gen. (Select) Anthony J. Cotton, current Commander, 341st Missile Wing, Air Force Global Strike Command, Malmstrom AFB, Mt. His wing is responsible for the operation, maintenance and security of the intercontinental ballistic missile force in central Montana. The wing provides deterrence for the United States by operating a force comprised of 4,000 personnel and 150 Minuteman III ICBMs located throughout a 13,800 square-mile complex in nine counties. Gen. (sel.) Cotton, who was assigned to the 45th Space Wing from June 2001 - March 2004, has extensive experience with the wing's mission. During his time at the 45th, he served as the Operations Officer, 45th Range Squadron, Commander, 3rd Space Launch Squadron, and Deputy Commander, 45th Operations Group, Patrick AFB, Fla. He entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in May 1986. He started his career as a missile officer and has assumed various positions. He has also served as the Chief of Protocol while assigned to Twentieth Air Force and as an Executive Officer to the Commander, Fourteenth Air Force. As Commander, 3rd Space Launch Squadron, he was responsible for the launch operations of the Atlas II AS medium & Titan-IVB heavy launch vehicles. Gen. (sel.) Cotton has also served as a Deputy Operations Group Commander and as the Deputy Director, Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Executive Action Group, and Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. "From the very first day of command, Lisa and I and our entire family fell in love with everything about the 45th Space Wing and the Space Coast," said Gen. Wilson. "And while we're excited about the challenges that we'll face in the future, we'll always treasure the time we spent here, and forever cherish the friendships and bonds we have made. "That being said, we could not be happier to see someone of General Select Cotton's talent, character and experience take the helm of the 45th Space Wing. He and his wife Marsha will be true assets to the region," he said. "We are confident the Air Force and civilian communities will embrace him and his family like they did ours." No final date for the change of command has been set at this time.