Nearly 500 people attended the ceremony in the museum's Modern Flight Gallery. The Air Force Band of Flight provided the music; the base color guard presented the flag, and Lisa Miller, a friend of the Bedke family, sang the national anthem.

Presiding over the ceremony was Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command. Hoffman praised AFRL and its people stating they are "on the cutting edge of technology, not just for the Air Force, but for the nation and the world at large."

Hoffman thanked Bedke for his service, and congratulated Pawlikowski not only for her new assignment, but also for her work as head of the airborne laser program, a successful demonstration of which occurred the day before.

The change of command followed, and the new AFRL commander spoke. Pawlikowski, who left AFRL in 1993, said that it was "good to be home." She called AFRL "a place where dreams become a reality," and told Bedke, "You can and should be proud. There are Airmen alive today because of what you've done."

Pawlikowski recalled some of the history of Wright-Patterson and the pioneering efforts here. She also referred briefly to the "laser engagement of a booster missile," and observed that "problems never have final solutions." She concluded her comments saying, "Our Air Force in 2010 depends upon scientific breakthroughs. AFRL's mission is to nurture that curiosity (leading to the breakthroughs)." She added, "The hunt is on."

Hoffman then presented The Legion of Merit, second Oak Leaf Cluster, to Bedke in recognition of his "outstanding service as commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, Calif.," and as commander of the AFRL.

Hoffman pointed out Bedke's contributions at AFFTC during the F-22 development phase, preparation for the F-35 test program, support of 90 other programs "during the longest period of fatality free test flying." For Bedke's efforts at AFRL, Hoffman praised him for "leading the Air Force into the future."

Bedke's retirement ceremony then took place. It included letters of appreciation from President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and Ohio Governor George Strickland.

"I've been in the Air Force my entire life," said Bedke recalling being in his mother's arms while watching his father taxi on a runway. He said he grew up when he was "six or seven years-old" when his father took him to Dachau.

There, he said, "I found out there's evil in this world and good and good people who have to take a stand." These instances and others inspired him to join the Air Force.

Bedke praised the selection of Pawlikowski, spoke about his love of family, his career--particularly "the two best jobs in the Air Force: commander of AFFTC and of AFRL", and his plans for the future that included staying in Washington D. C. to visit "museums, art galleries, etc." He added that after a few months, "maybe finding someone gullible enough to hire me."

He summed up saying, "The nation needs us, and we're prepared to do more. If we lose, the nation loses. Evil can only be stopped in good people are willing to make sacrifices. We will get through tough times because we must. We fight to ensure that the world will be a better place even for the children of our enemies."

Pawlikowski said that she expected the "greatest challenge" in her new assignment would be the "full integration of airspace and cyberspace." She briefly described her five years as manager of the airborne laser program, and concluded that she expected a "smooth transition" into the position as AFRL commander.

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