Bolton leads Air Force financial operations
Detachment 1 is a geographically separated unit of the 21st Space Wing that performs deep space observations using three high-powered, 1.2 meter Ground Based Electro Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) telescopes. The telescopes can see objects 2,000 - 100,000 kilometers from the earth's surface. The unit is manned 24 hours a day; seven days a week to ensure America's satellites and other space assets can avoid the thousands of space objects that orbit the earth. (U.S. Air Force photo)
WASHINGTON -- Managing the U.S. Air Force's $119 billion budget is the new job for Maj. Gen. Edward Bolton Jr., following in the footsteps of the legendary Maj. Gen. Alfred Flowers, when he retired after 46 years as the longest serving airman.
Bolton Jr. is Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, Washington, D.C. He leads a staff of civilian and military financial managers.
General Bolton began his Air Force career as an enlisted cost and management analyst. He was commissioned in 1983 after completing an electrical engineering degree via the Airmen Education and Commissioning Program and graduation from Officer Training School. Operationally, the general served as Commander, 45th Space Wing, and Director Eastern Range, Patrick AFB, Fla.
He oversaw a $5B budget, 24 successful spacelift, shuttle, test and range missions, the highest operations tempo since Sept. 11, 2001, and the wing won the 2009 General Thomas Moorman Trophy honoring the best wing in Air Force Space Command.
The general commanded the 30th Range Squadron during its highest operations tempo in a decade and the 30th Operations Group at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. His squadron won the General Kutyna Award in 1999 as the top spacelift squadron in Air Force Space Command, and he led the 30th Space Wing to its first Guardian Challenge victory. A level III program manager, he also commanded the Satellite and Launch Control Wing and the Launch and Range Systems Wing.
The California Air Force Association selected the Launch and Range Wing as the 2005 Unit of the Year. He also served as the Deputy Director for Systems Integration and Engineering as well as the Principal Deputy to the Chief Operating Office at the National Reconnaissance Office. He won the NRO Leadership Award for 2008 and was awarded the NRO Gold Medal in 2009.
Prior to his current position, he served as the Director, Space and Cyber Operations at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. During his tenure, he established policy for space, cyber and information operations and oversaw the creation and development of the Air Force cyber career field and the management of space professionals.
