Brig. Gen. H. Michael Edwards has been nominated by Gov. Bill Ritter to be the new adjutant general and executive director of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

If confirmed by the State Senate, Edwards will replace retiring Maj. Gen. Mason Whitney on March 24.

Edwards, 55, has served since 2002 as commander of the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard at Buckley Air Force Base, supervising the combat readiness of more than 1,400 personnel.

"At a time when the country is at war overseas and Colorado military personnel are regularly placed in harm's way, Gen. Edwards will serve his troops and the entire state with distinction and dedication," Ritter said. "All of Colorado can feel confident placing their trust in his judgment and wisdom as he goes about making daily decisions that can carry life-or-death consequences."

A 34-year military veteran, Gen. Edwards graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1973 and joined the Colorado Air National Guard in 1980. He served as director of the Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar in 2003 and is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours, including 140 combat hours enforcing no-fly zones in Iraq. He holds more than two dozen medals, awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal.