Here and ready to get started Published Oct. 31, 2008 By Brig. Gen. Edward L. Bolton, Jr. 45th SW commander PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Greetings Sharks! Thank you all for making the change of command an impressive, professional ceremony. I am humbled to follow in the steps of a great leader and honored to be your 45th Space Wing commander. I also need to thank you for the warm reception you showed my wife, Patricia, my family and I during the ceremony. It was a great event for a great wing. As we move into a busy launch season, I wanted to outline for you some of my perspectives and vision I have for the wing both in the near and long-term. The first perspective I want to discuss is my commitment to the core values of the Air Force: Integrity First, Excellence in All We Do, and Service Before Self. Whenever you are in doubt as to what you should be doing, I want you to do a gut check and see whether the action you are about to take is in agreement with those values. I also want you to serve as the gut check for your fellow wingmen to ensure they are upholding those same core values. By doing so, we will continue to ensure that the vital work of this wing improves with each day. All of you recognize the extreme importance space has to the economy and national security of the United States. Warfighters from all the services appreciate the importance of space and are thankful that we here at the 45th Space Wing are doing our part as crucial members of the Joint Team. As we deal with a resource situation that may not be as ideal as we like, it is important that we continue to look at better ways of improving how we do our mission so that we can continue our role as the best launch wing in the Air Force. Part of making our wing great is the support that is provided by our Mission Support Group, our Medical Group, and wing staff. Their efforts in taking care of the people, our most important asset, and their mission, are one of the reasons why we have taken home the Schriever Trophy three years in a row! While we have some time to prepare for the next Guardian Challenge and get a fourth consecutive trophy, we need to remember how important it is for us to excel at our various jobs every day of the year. Our nation depends on each and every one of us to do our duty, all the time. I expect the same. Doing so will enable us to ensure that the mission of the U.S. Air Force: "To fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace" gets done better than ever. Thanks again for the welcome. I am delighted to be a part of this great team. Go Sharks!